Effects of restoration with cattle grazing on plant species composition and richness of semi-natural grasslands

摘要: Restoration of semi-natural grasslands by cattle grazing is among the most practical options for reversing decline northern European floristic diversity, but no studies on this subject are available. In work success restoration abandoned, privately owned mesic farmers receiving support from EU agri-environmental scheme was studied in southwestern Finland. Three kinds were compared: old (continuously grazed), new (cattle restarted 3–8 years ago) and abandoned pastures (grazing terminated >10 ago). Plant species composition three pasture types floristically different multivariate analyses (non-metric multidimensional scaling). Total richness, richness grassland plants, indicator plants rare highest lowest all spatial scales (0.25–0.8 ha, 1 0.01 m2). The results congruent with list definitions, suggesting that density scale (1 m2) can be used as a partial surrogate large richness. Species 20% higher 0.25–0.8 40–50% m2 30% compared to grasslands. Rare showed insignificant response resumed grazing. Despite problems management quality, study promising private farms. However, populations several may not recover present regimes. Management regulations need defined more precisely successful restoration.