SENGL, Philipp, Martin MAGNES, Karin WEITENTHALER, Viktoria WAGNER, László ERDŐS and Christian BERG. Restoration of lowland meadows in Austria: A comparison of five techniques. Basic and Applied Ecology. Jena, Germany: ELSEVIER GMBH, vol. 24, November, p. 19-29. ISSN 1439-1791. doi:10.1016/j.baae.2017.08.004. 2017.
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Basic information
Original name Restoration of lowland meadows in Austria: A comparison of five techniques
Authors SENGL, Philipp (40 Austria), Martin MAGNES (40 Austria), Karin WEITENTHALER (40 Austria), Viktoria WAGNER (276 Germany, guarantor, belonging to the institution), László ERDŐS (348 Hungary) and Christian BERG (40 Austria).
Edition Basic and Applied Ecology, Jena, Germany, ELSEVIER GMBH, 2017, 1439-1791.
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Article in a journal
Field of Study 10600 1.6 Biological sciences
Country of publisher Germany
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
WWW URL
Impact factor Impact factor: 2.144
RIV identification code RIV/00216224:14310/17:00098858
Organization unit Faculty of Science
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2017.08.004
UT WoS 000416272400003
Keywords in English Compensation measures; Hay transfer; Seeding; Sod transplantation; Topsoil removal
Tags NZ, rivok
Tags International impact, Reviewed
Changed by Changed by: Ing. Nicole Zrilić, učo 240776. Changed: 11/4/2018 13:41.
Abstract
European environmental policy mandates that biodiversity loss should be halted through restoration. However, knowledgeabout the efficacy of different restoration treatments for lowland meadows is still incomplete. Our study monitored two restorationprojects in South-East Austria that served as compensation measures for the loss of species-rich grassland. We compared theefficacy of five restoration techniques: (1) sod transplantation, (2) natural colonization, (3) hay transfer and additions of seedmixtures for (4) wet and (5) bare soils. Over three years, we measured species richness, number of target species, Shannondiversity and similarity to reference sites. We asked: (A) What is the most effective technique for the restoration of lowlandmeadows? and (B) Is the applied restoration method more important than abiotic site conditions? We included 66 plots (referenceand donor sites: 8 plots, restoration sites: 58 plots) in our study. We sampled data on species composition (4 m × 4 m plots)in three consecutive years since restoration initiation, estimated the slope inclination and analyzed soil parameters (K, P,pH). In general, species composition developed towards the reference vegetation for all techniques but sod transplantationproduced by far the best result in terms of species richness and similarity to reference sites. By comparison, hay transfer andnatural colonization produced intermediate results but performed better than seeding; the latter led to homogenous, species-poorswards. Soil preparation and abiotic site conditions played a minor role in this early stage of the restoration process, thoughthese factors may gain importance in a longer time frame. We found sod transplantation to be a superior method for lowlandmeadow restoration in our study area but managers must consider its destructive nature and high costs, which might outweighits benefits. In this light, hay transfer and natural colonization – or a combination of different techniques – could provide lessdestructive and more cost-effective alternatives.
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