Volume 74, January 2015, Pages 60–67
Effects of compost and mowing on the productivity and density of a purpose-sown mixture of native herbaceous species to revegetate degraded soil in anthropized areas
Highlights
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- Herbaceous vegetation increased organic matter in a poor subsoil.
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- Compost did not affect the density of species at emergence and establishment.
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- July mowing increased the Shannon index and decreased the Simpson index.
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- Biodiversity decreased over the years, whereas productivity increased.
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- Compost and mowing had a species-specific effect on traits (seed mass and height).
Abstract
Disturbance
and soil fertility are some of the main drivers influencing the
dynamics of herbaceous communities. Such communities are among the most
biodiverse and represent a model for introducing species-rich and
low-input green systems into anthropized environments, at the same time
creating opportunities for conservation and restoration. Trials were set
up to evaluate the effects of compost and mowing on the dynamics of
purpose-sown herbaceous vegetation, inspired by the phytocenosis
spontaneously growing in the nearby rural areas. Both soil properties
(organic carbon, total nitrogen content, bulk density and pH) and plant
species characteristics (density, biomass, height, functional traits)
were determined. Our results showed that the addition of compost
countered the soil compaction process with a positive effect on soil
bulk density. Irrespective of compost and mowing, the amount of carbon
and nitrogen in the soil was greatly influenced by the vegetation. Early
season mowing increased the Shannon index and decreased the Simpson
index, while over the years, with the increase in productivity,
biodiversity decreased. Compost and mowing had a species-specific effect
on seed mass and plant height.
Keywords
- Mowing;
- Organic carbon;
- Perennials;
- Biomass;
- Shannon index
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+39 050 621 2485; fax: +39 050 621 2473.
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