Increasing floristic diversity in grassland: the effects of management regime and provenance on species introduction

摘要: Concerns over recent losses of floristic diversity in British grasslands have led to a new impetus recreate species-rich pastures. However, such programmes often require the active introduction wildflower seed or plants achieve rapid increases diversity. Methods need be developed for successful establishment desirable species into existing species-poor swards and implications using different provenances considered. The five common forb were compared, each represented by two provenances, sown range receiving management regimes. For species, one provenance was collected locally other non-local, commercially-obtained, provenance. Two years after sowing, unfertilised sward with cuts per year followed aftermath grazing showed greatest seedling establishment; that cutting alone least, even less than fertiliser inputs continuous grazing. Seedling survivorship related more fine-scale composition. Within some there significant differences survival between provenances. importance grassland restoration are discussed.