Effect of experimental top soil removal on vegetation of Pannonian salt steppes

摘要: Inland saline habitats of the Pannonian Lowland exhibit a specific variety grasslands determined by soil salinity gradient. Changes in hydrological regime and absence management have resulted heavy degradation vegetation. The impact topsoil removal on salt steppes was tested 3-year small-scale manipulated experiment SW Slovakia (Kameninske Slanisko Nature Reserve). Topsoil removed three contrasting types vegetation with different salinities, i.e. stages habitat degradation. Data were analysed multi-way ANOVA multivariate methods. Species richness decreased proportion halophytes increased significantly two highest salinity; however, total number not influenced removal. treatment caused inhibition secondary succession plots salinity. effect only short-term moderate heavily degraded desalinized it even stimulated further recruitment ruderal species. has limited potential for restoration steppes. It should be applied slightly vegetation, where accumulation is still present target species propagules are available.