Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing
The species diversity of the unique flora in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains is currently threatened due to the absence of traditional grazing, which was historically used as a management practice. This study evaluates changes in floristic composition in areas near the Švýcárna and Ovčárna lodges, where...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Plant, Soil and Environment |
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| Online Access: | https://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pse-202505-0004_revitalising-subalpine-grasslands-floristic-shifts-under-renewed-grazing.php |
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| author | Marie Mrázková-Štýbnarová Michaela Kolářová Radek Štencl Prokop Šmirous Marie Bjelková Josef Holec Martin Vašinka Luděk Tyšer Oldřich Látal |
| author_facet | Marie Mrázková-Štýbnarová Michaela Kolářová Radek Štencl Prokop Šmirous Marie Bjelková Josef Holec Martin Vašinka Luděk Tyšer Oldřich Látal |
| author_sort | Marie Mrázková-Štýbnarová |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The species diversity of the unique flora in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains is currently threatened due to the absence of traditional grazing, which was historically used as a management practice. This study evaluates changes in floristic composition in areas near the Švýcárna and Ovčárna lodges, where cattle and sheep grazing was reintroduced in 2012 and 2014, respectively, after long-term abandonment. The floristic composition was assessed using permanent plots and analysed statistically. In total, 84 plant species were recorded in the Švýcárna experimental area over 12 years. All experimental plots throughout the study observed an increase in species richness. In the Ovčárna area, a similar trend was detected, particularly in grazed grasslands dominated by Avenella flexuosa, Festuca supina, and Ligusticum mutellina. The reintroduction of grazing in these areas serves not only as a symbolic return to traditional land use but primarily as an effective management tool to suppress ecological succession and maintain or enhance plant species diversity in biologically valuable habitats. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a78e9b15c95e420e9ab3b3d7ec04e0a2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1214-1178 1805-9368 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plant, Soil and Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-a78e9b15c95e420e9ab3b3d7ec04e0a22025-08-20T03:22:21ZengCzech Academy of Agricultural SciencesPlant, Soil and Environment1214-11781805-93682025-05-0171533835210.17221/12/2025-PSEpse-202505-0004Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazingMarie Mrázková-Štýbnarová0Michaela Kolářová1Radek Štencl2Prokop Šmirous3Marie Bjelková4Josef Holec5Martin Vašinka6Luděk Tyšer7Oldřich Látal8Agrovýzkum Rapotín Ltd., Šumperk, Czech RepublicFaculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech RepublicAdministration of Protected Landscape Area Jeseníky Mountains, Jeseník, Czech RepublicAgritec Plant Research Ltd., Šumperk, Czech RepublicAgritec, Research, Breeding and Services, Ltd., Šumperk, Czech RepublicFaculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech RepublicAgrovýzkum Rapotín Ltd., Šumperk, Czech RepublicFaculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech RepublicAgrovýzkum Rapotín Ltd., Šumperk, Czech RepublicThe species diversity of the unique flora in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains is currently threatened due to the absence of traditional grazing, which was historically used as a management practice. This study evaluates changes in floristic composition in areas near the Švýcárna and Ovčárna lodges, where cattle and sheep grazing was reintroduced in 2012 and 2014, respectively, after long-term abandonment. The floristic composition was assessed using permanent plots and analysed statistically. In total, 84 plant species were recorded in the Švýcárna experimental area over 12 years. All experimental plots throughout the study observed an increase in species richness. In the Ovčárna area, a similar trend was detected, particularly in grazed grasslands dominated by Avenella flexuosa, Festuca supina, and Ligusticum mutellina. The reintroduction of grazing in these areas serves not only as a symbolic return to traditional land use but primarily as an effective management tool to suppress ecological succession and maintain or enhance plant species diversity in biologically valuable habitats.https://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pse-202505-0004_revitalising-subalpine-grasslands-floristic-shifts-under-renewed-grazing.phpnature conservationbiodiversitylivestockrevitalisationgrazing management |
| spellingShingle | Marie Mrázková-Štýbnarová Michaela Kolářová Radek Štencl Prokop Šmirous Marie Bjelková Josef Holec Martin Vašinka Luděk Tyšer Oldřich Látal Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing Plant, Soil and Environment nature conservation biodiversity livestock revitalisation grazing management |
| title | Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing |
| title_full | Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing |
| title_fullStr | Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing |
| title_short | Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing |
| title_sort | revitalising subalpine grasslands floristic shifts under renewed grazing |
| topic | nature conservation biodiversity livestock revitalisation grazing management |
| url | https://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pse-202505-0004_revitalising-subalpine-grasslands-floristic-shifts-under-renewed-grazing.php |
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