J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE VASCULAR FLORA OF
EXTENSIVELY GRAZED SKOSZEWSKIE MEADOWS
Julia Pławska-Olejniczak
Anna Żywiczka
Department of Ecology and Environmental
Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences
University of Szczecin, Wąska 13 street,
71-415 Szczecin, Poland
e-mail: juliax.plawska@wp.pl
ABSTRACT
The results of research of the effect of extensive grazing of the Polish Koniks,
Scottish Highland cattle and Limousine beef cattle, on the floristic changes are
presented. The largest number of vascular plant species was found in areas grazed by
Scottish Highland cattle, while the smallest one in those grazed by Limousine cattle. In
respect of life-forms, the species of the group of hemicryptophytes prevailed in all
locations. On horse pastures, the percentage of species with high light index was the
largest. The areas grazed by Scottish Highland cattle proved to be most humid. The
species that indicate a higher eutrophication degree of biotope occurred more
abundantly on horse and Scottish Highland pastures. Pastures for horses and beef cattle
were classifying to site of low natural values, while those grazed by Scottish Highland
cattle to lands of medium-moderate values.
Keywords: vascular plants, extensive grazing, horse, cattle, ecological indicator
values
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J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
INTRODUCTION
One of the methods of protecting and renaturising naturally valuable grassland
communities is to introduce extensive forms of mowing and grazing use. Management
of this type is aimed, among others, at restoration of floristic diversity as well as
prevention of unfavourable transformations within pratocenoses. Attempts of this type
have come into larger and larger prominence in recent years, in particular with respect
to areas being under such protection actions as Natura 2000 [1,6,9]. The Skoszewskie
Meadows, situated by the Szczecin Lagoon, belong to such a grassland. This derelict
land has been subject to renaturisation for several years [10]. One of the methods of
restoring their natural and economic values is extensive grazing of Polish Koniks,
Scottish Highland cattle and Limousine beef cattle applied for four years. Evaluation of
the effect of this activity on selected floristic and ecological indicators of these
pratocenoses is the objective of the presented study.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Geobotanical examinations currently carried out within the Skoszewskie
Meadows, a fragment of which are the results obtained in 2007 and presented in this
paper, have been started in 2002 [9,10]. In the first stage, areas for a year-long and daylong grazing of Polish Koniks (stocking rate 0.3-0.5 LU) and Scottish Highland cattle
(stocking rate 0.3-0.6 LU/ha) and a seasonal grazing (from spring to autumn) of
Limousine beef cattle (stocking rate 0.5-0.6 LU/ha) were separated. Within the marked
out permanent transects which included the areas grazed by aforesaid animal species
and breeds, floristic examination were carried out systematically, consisting in
evaluation of the botanical composition of sward. In order to do this, a
phytosociological method and an estimation one were applied [8]. On this ground, the
analysis of vascular flora was made. It included, as follows:
-
species abundance and biodiversity [15];
-
natural evaluation [11];
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J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
-
selected ecological indicator figures [16];
-
life forms according to Raunkiaer [14,16].
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Within the whole examined area of about 200 ha, 100 taxa of vascular plants
were recorded, out of 25 families. Most numerously represented were grasses,
compositae plants and knotweed plants. The largest number of species, i.e. 87 out of 24
families, was found on areas grazed by Scottish Highland cattle, as opposed to pasture
sward for Limousine cattle with over a half smaller number of species out of 14
families. An intermediate number of species and families represented the plant cover of
grassland grazed by horses (Tab. 1). Changes in the botanical composition of
extensively used or derelict meadows have become recently the subject of a number of
researches [2,3,4,5]. On the other hand, the influence of grazing as a method of active
protection of naturally valuable areas has been relatively poorly recognised while
paying more attention to intensive forms of grazing connected with the effect of animal
production [12,13].
Species abundance did not significantly affect the degree of floristic biodiversity.
This is evidenced by calculated Shannon indices, ranging from 1,3 to 1,9 (Fig. 1).
Basing on this, all examined pastures were classified into a group of low diversity [15].
Worth emphasising is the fact that pasture for Scottish Highland cattle was
characterised by a higher index, while that for Limousine cattle by the lowest. As a
rule, biodiversity increased to a small extent as the vegetation season was elapsing.
The accomplished natural evaluation of examined meadow objects (Tab. 2)
allowed classification of areas grazed by Polish Koniks as well as of pastures for beef
cattle into lands of small natural amenities (A III), while of those used by Scottish
Highland cattle into lands of average moderate ones (B V). Generally, the whole grazed
area can be regarded as a land with moderate natural amenities [11].
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J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
From among a number of ecological indicators, the examined flora was
evaluated in respect of light, moisture and trophic requirements. Within all examined
objects, a very large participation of species with moderate (4) and full light (5)
requirements was found. They constituted about 90% of recorded vascular plants and
no significant differences between respective pastures were found in this respect (Fig.
2). High and moderate light requirements of the pasture vegetation are a characteristic
feature for grazed areas, contrary to mowed grassland [7].
In respect of moisture requirements, the areas grazed by Scottish Highland cattle
proved to be most moist. On this grassland, taxa of wet and moist biotopes constituted
52 % of the flora. Higher participation of species from fresh biotopes, reaching 50%,
was found on pastures for horses and beef cattle (Fig. 3). Worth emphasising is the fact
that a main reason for importing a herd of Scottish Highland cattle into the
Skoszewskie Meadows was a good adaptation of these animals to utilise a low-value
meadow forage from wet and moist biotopes [9].
Species indicating to a higher degree of biotope eutrophication occurred in a
higher percent proportion (64-66.5%) on pastures for horses and Scottish Highland
cattle. Within the areas grazed by beef cattle, eutrophic taxa occurred with a lower
intensity (Fig. 4).
In respect of life forms, irrespective of the type of grazed animals, species of the
group of hemicryptophytes prevailed everywhere, i.e. the plants forming growth buds
at the ground level. Annual species (terophytes) constituted from 19.5 to 24.5% of
vascular flora, with their higher percentage being found within pastures for horses (Fig.
5). High participation of hemicryptophytes and terophytes is evidence of a considerable
heterogeneity of the grazed areas and a small density of sward. This should be also
treated as an effect of strong and frequently excessive over-grazing of certain parts of
pasture [12].
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J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
CONCLUSION
-
Species and breed of grazing animals affected the species abundance of
vascular plants. In respect of the number of taxa, the grazing of Scottish Highland cattle
proved to be most favourable.
-
Analysis of vascular flora biodiversity as well as evaluation of natural
amenities and ecological bioindication of the sward of extensive pastures did not show
any significant effect of animal species and breed on these indicators. It seems however
that trends observed in plant cover changes will become deeper within next years of
applying this form of active protection in the Skoszewskie Meadows.
LITERATURE
1. Bahonko M., Palacz R. & Rogalski M., 2004. Wpływ wypasu na zbiorowiska
roślinne oraz awifaunę trwałych użytków zielonych Basenu Czarnocińskiego. Zeszyty
Naukowe Uniwersytetu Zielonogórskiego, 131, 27-30.
2. Baryła R. & Urban D., 1999. Kierunki zmian w zbiorowiskach trawiastych w
wyniku ograniczenia i zaniechania użytkowania rolniczego na przykładzie łąk
Poleskiego Parku Narodowego. Folia Univ. Agric. Stetin. 197, Agricultura 75: 25-30.
3. Czyż H., Kitczak T. & Stelmaszyk A., 2007. Wartość paszowa, przyrodnicza
i energetyczna polderowych użytków zielonych wyłączonych z działalności rolniczej.
Łąkarstwo w Polsce, 10: 21-28.
4. Grzegorczyk S., Grabowski K. & Benedycki S., 1999. Wpływ braku
użytkowania na kształtowanie się roślinności łąkowej obiektu Siódmak. Univ. Agric.
Stetin. 197, Agricultura 75: 107-112.
5. Grzegorczyk S., Grabowski K. & Benedycki S., 2001. Zmiany roślinności
łąkowej w zależności od użytkowania. Zesz. Probl. Post. Nauk Roln., 478: 35-40.
6. Kochanowska R., Rogalski M., Trzaskoś M. & Wieczorek A., 2007. Zmiany
zbiorowisk łąkowych na polderze Załom koło jeziora Dąbie. Acta Botanica Warmiae et
Masuriae, 4: 163-172.
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J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
7. Kryszak A., Kryszak J. & Grynia M., 2007. Zmiany degradacyjne na łąkach i
pastwiskach wyłączonych z użytkowania. Acta Botanica Warmiae et Masuriae, 4: 205214.
8. Mannetje L., 2001. Methods for estimating botanical composition, species
diversity and dry matter yields. Grassland Science in Europe, 6: 311-323.
9.Musielak D., 2006. Wpływ ekstensywnych form wypasu na zróżnicowanie
przestrzenne runi wybranych zbiorowisk łąkowych. W: Człowiek i środowisko
przyrodnicze
Pomorza
Zachodniego.
I.
Środowisko
biotyczne
–
biologia
środowiskowa, eksperymentalna i stosowana. Ed. J.Tarasiuk i J.Kępczyński. Wyd.
Uniwersytetu Szczecińskiego, 205-208.
10. Musielak D. & Rogalski M., 2006. The impact of extensive grazing of Polish
Koniks on changes in vegetation cover of selected lant communities of coastal
meadows. In. Salt grasslands and coastal meadows. Ed. H.Czyż, Wyd. AR w
Szczecinie, 39-44.
11. Oświt J., 2000. Metoda przyrodniczej waloryzacji mokradeł i wyniki jej
zastosowania na wybranych obiektach. Wiadomości IMUZ, 79, 3-32.
12. Rogalski M., 1996. Rola czynników zoogenicznych w kształtowaniu
trwałości i składu florystycznego zbiorowisk pastwiskowych, Rocz. AR Poznań.
CCLXXXIV, Roln., 47: 53-63.
13. Rogalski M., Wieczorek A. & Kardyńska S. 1999. Pasące się zwierzęta jako
czynnik regulujący skład botaniczny runi. Fol. Univ. Agric. Stetin, 197 Agricultura 75:
267-270.
14. Rothmaler W., 1990.Exkursionsflora von Deutschland. Band 4, Kritischer
Band, Volk und Wissen Verlag GmbH, Berlin. 754.
15. Szoszkiewicz K. & Szoszkiewicz J. 1998. Ocena różnorodności
gatunkowej pratocenoz na przykładzie wybranych zbiorowisk. Pr. Kom. Nauk Roln. I
Kom. Nauk Leśn. PTPN 85: 47-52.
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PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
16. Zarzycki K., Trzcińska-Tacik H., Różański W., Szeląg Z., Wołek J. &
Korzeniak U., 2002. Ecological indicator values of vascular plants of Poland. Wyd.
Instytutu Botaniki PAN, Kraków.
SUMMARY
The Skoszewskie Meadows are an area of neglected grasslands situated on
organic soils, which for several years has been subjected to renaturisation. One of the
methods of restoration of their natural and economic value is extensive grazing of the
Polish Koniks, Scottish Highland cattle and Limousine beef cattle, being applied for
four years. In order to evaluate the effect of these land use methods on changes in
vegetation cover, regular floristic research works have been carried out on designated,
fixed transects that cover areas grazed by the afore-named animal species and breeds.
Within the whole examined area of 200 ha, over 100 taxa of vascular plants
were recorded, with the species of Poaceae, Asteraceae and Polygonaceae families
being most abundantly represented. The largest number of species (87) was found in
areas grazed by Scottish Highland cattle, while the smallest one (42) in those grazed by
Limousine cattle. In respect of life-forms, the species of the group of hemicryptophytes
prevailed in all locations (58-62%), irrespectively of the type of grazing animals. In
horse pastures, the percentage of species with high light index was the largest. In
respect of moisture, the areas grazed by Scottish Highland cattle proved to be most
watery. The species that indicate a higher eutrophication degree of biotope occurred
more abundantly in horse (64%) and Scottish Highland cattle pastures (66,5 %), as
opposed to those for beef cattle (56%). Natural evaluation of the examined meadow
objects, carried out according to Oświt (2000), allowed for classifying the areas grazed
by the Polish Koniks, as well as beef cattle pastures, to lands of low natural values (A
III), while those used by Scottish Highland cattle to lands of medium-moderate values
(B V).
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J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
Table 1. Checklist of families and number of vascular plants on examined pastures
Family
Pastures for:
Total
number of
Polish
Scottish
taxa
Koniks
Highland cattle
Llimousine
beef
cattle
Apiaceae
4
1
4
1
Asteraceae
11
4
8
7
Brassicaceae
2
1
1
0
Boraginaceae
2
0
2
0
Caryophyllaceae
5
4
5
5
Chenopodiaceae
1
0
1
1
Cyperaceae
4
1
4
1
Fabaceae
5
2
5
1
Geraniaceae
1
0
1
0
Iridaceae
1
0
1
0
Juncaceae,
3
2
3
1
Lamiaceae
7
2
7
1
Lythraceae
1
0
1
0
Onagraceae
2
1
2
0
Plantaginaceae
2
1
2
0
Poaceae
23
19
15
14
Polygonaceae
10
7
9
4
Primulaceae
2
0
2
0
Ranunculaceae
5
2
5
1
Rosaceae
3
0
3
0
Rubiaceae
3
3
3
2
8
Scrophulariaceae
2
0
1
2
Solanaceae
2
1
1
0
Urticaceae
1
1
1
1
Violaceae
1
1
0
0
103
53
87
42
25
17
24
14
Total number of
taxa
Total number of
families
Table 2. Natural value of examined pastures
Total
Pastures for:
number of
Total
taxa
amenity
Amenity value Amenity class
Natural
value
value
low
Polish
53
114
2,15
A III
Koniks
average
Scottish
Highland
87
233
2,7
BV
42
86
2,04
A III
103
266
2,6
B IV
moderate
cattle
Limousine
beef cattle
total
9
low
moderate
J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
Index value
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
2
1,8
1,6
1,4
1,2
1
0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0
Spring
Summer
Autumn
1
2
3
Pasture
Figure 1. Values of biodiversity index of pastures for: Scottish Highland cattle (1), Polish
Koniks (2) and Limousine beef cattle (3).
100%
80%
5
60%
4
40%
3&2
20%
others
0%
1
2
3
4
Figure 2. Share of plant species of different light value (%): total (1), on pastures for:
horses (2), scottish cattle (3) and limousine cattle (4).
Light value: 5 – full light, 4 – moderate light, 3 – half-shade, 2 – moderate shade
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J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
5&6
4
3
2
others
1
2
3
4
Figure 3. Share of plant species of different soil moisture value (%): total (1), on pastures
for: horses (2), scottish cattle (3) and limousine cattle (4).
Soil moisture value: 6 –aquatic, 5 – wet, 4 – moist, 3 – fresh, 2 – dry
100%
80%
4&5
60%
3&2
40%
others
20%
0%
1
2
3
4
Figure 4. Share of plant species of different trophy value (%): total (1), on pastures for:
horses (2), scottish cattle (3) and limousine cattle (4).
Trophy value: 5 – soil very rich (extremely fertile), 4 – soil rich (eutrophic), 3 –
soil moderately poor (mesotrophic)
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J. PŁAWSKA-OLEJNICZAK
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS…
100%
80%
Geophyte
60%
Terophyte
40%
Hem icryptophyte
20%
others
0%
1
2
3
4
Figure 5. Share of plant species of different life-forms (%): total (1), on pastures for
horses (2), scottish cattle (3) and limousine cattle (4).
Рецензент профессор В. Вавжиняк
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