Effects of yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor) establishment on the vegetation of species-poor grassland

Wagner, Markus; Peyton, Jodey; Heard, Matthew; Bullock, James ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0529-4020; Pywell, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6431-9959. 2011 Effects of yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor) establishment on the vegetation of species-poor grassland. In: Sparks, Tim; Britt, Chris; Cherrill, Andy; Marrs, Andy; Mortimer, Simon; Pywell, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6431-9959; Rotheram, Ian; Stokes, Victoria; Westbury, Duncan, (eds.) Vegetation Management. Association of Applied Biologists, 59-66. (Aspects of Applied Biology, 108).

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Abstract/Summary

Targeted introduction of Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor) has been suggested as a method to assist diversification of species-poor grassland. Here, we report results from a study carried out in species-poor grassland established via natural regeneration at a calcareous ex-arable site. In particular, we explored short-term effects of soil scarification and sowing of R. minor on plant species richness and composition. Our results indicated a negative short-term effect of high Rhinanthus densities on the richness of dicot forbs. Scarification increased forb richness, but did so primarily by stimulating arable species present in the seed bank. Several characteristic forbs of calcareous grassland that were already present in the vegetation were negatively affected by the techniques used, emphasizing the point that restoration techniques should be assessed not only in terms of their impact on target species establishment, but also in terms of their effects on non-target species and whole plant assemblages.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 3 - Managing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Environment > BD - 3.2 - Develop and test practical measures to ameliorate the effects ... CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 3 - Managing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Environment > BD - 3.4 - Provide science-based advice ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Pywell
Additional Keywords:	ex-arable grassland, restoration, plant species composition, species richness, soil scarificatiom
NORA Subject Terms:	Botany Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	03 Oct 2011 10:04 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/15207

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