Search results for "grassland"
showing 10 items of 161 documents
Semi-natural habitats in the European boreal region: Caught in the socio-ecological extinction vortex?
2022
AbstractWe propose to consider semi-natural habitats—hotspots for biodiversity—being caught in a socio-ecological extinction vortex, similar to the phenomenon described for species threatened with extinction. These habitats are essentially socioecological systems, in which socioeconomic drivers are interlinked with ecological processes. We identify four highly interlinked and mutually reinforcing socio-economic processes, pertaining to the importance of semi-natural habitats for (i) agricultural production, (ii) policy, research and development; (iii) vocational education in the fields of agricultural sciences and (iv) public’s experiences with semi-natural habitats. Evidence from six count…
Ecological and agronomic importance of the plant genus Lotus. Its application in grassland sustainability and the amelioration of constrained and con…
2010
The genus Lotus comprises around 100 annual and perennial species with worldwide distribution. The relevance of Lotus japonicus as a model plant has been recently demonstrated in numerous studies. In addition, some of the Lotus species show a great potential for adaptation to a number of abiotic stresses. Therefore, they are relevant components of grassland ecosystems in environmentally constrained areas of several South American countries and Australia, where they are used for livestock production. Also, the fact that the roots of these species form rhizobial and mycorrhizal associations makes the annual L. japonicus a suitable model plant for legumes, particularly in studies directed to r…
A theoretically-based overland flow resistance law for upland grassland habitats
2022
Abstract Sediments conveyed from interrill areas to rills are transported by a thin flow (overland flow) and the knowledge of overland flow resistance is useful to evaluate overland flow velocity and sediment transport capacity. The aim of this paper was to verify the applicability of a theoretical overland flow resistance law, based on a power-velocity distribution, using field measurements for four upland grassland types used in different management strategies (Hay Meadows, Low-density Grazing, Rushes and Rank Grassland). Particular attention was deserved to the effects of vegetation growth cycles on the surface roughness and the corresponding reduction of overland flow velocity. The rela…
EAGLE 2006 – multi-purpose, multi-angle and multi-sensor in-situ, airborne and space borne campaigns over grassland and forest
2009
Abstract. EAGLE2006 – an intensive field campaign for the advances in land surface hydrometeorological processes – was carried out in the Netherlands from 8 to 18 June 2006, involving 16 institutions with in total 67 people from 16 different countries. In addition to the acquisition of multi-angle and multi-sensor satellite data, several airborne instruments – an optical imaging sensor, an imaging microwave radiometer, and a flux airplane – were deployed and extensive ground measurements were conducted over one grassland site at Cabauw and two forest sites at Loobos and Speulderbos in the central part of the Netherlands. The generated data set is both unique and urgently needed for the deve…
Xeric grasslands of the inner-alpine dry valleys of Austria - new insights into syntaxonomy, diversity and ecology
2021
We are grateful to the IAVS for financial support for some of the participants. We would like to give special thanks to Dr. Ernst Partl, director of the Naturpark Kaunergrat for authorizing sampling in the protected areas and for helping with the organization of the field workshop.
A phytosociological analysis of the Brachypodium rupestre (Host) Roem. & Schult. communities of Sicily.
2018
A phytosociological study on the Brachypodium rupestre grasslands in Sicily is presented. These grasslands form discontinuous secondary stands dynamically linked to the deciduous oak woods, which are widespread within the upper-colline, submontane and lower montane belts (800-1400 m) of the Tyrrhenian side of the northern Sicily and in the Sicani mountains. In the study area B. rupestre grasslands were mainly found in colluvial plains or drainage lines where relatively deep and mesic soils occur. In this paper 42 phytosociological relevés were performed and statistically analysed. Two new associations were described and classified in the alliance Polygalo mediterraneae-Bromion erecti (Brome…
Ancestry and demography and descendants of Iron Age nomads of the Eurasian Steppe
2017
During the 1st millennium before the Common Era (BCE), nomadic tribes associated with the Iron Age Scythian culture spread over the Eurasian Steppe, covering a territory of more than 3,500 km in breadth. To understand the demographic processes behind the spread of the Scythian culture, we analysed genomic data from eight individuals and a mitochondrial dataset of 96 individuals originating in eastern and western parts of the Eurasian Steppe. Genomic inference reveals that Scythians in the east and the west of the steppe zone can best be described as a mixture of Yamnaya-related ancestry and an East Asian component. Demographic modelling suggests independent origins for eastern and western g…
Database Dry Grasslands in the Nordic and Baltic Region
2012
The Database Dry Grasslands in the Nordic and Baltic Region (GIVD ID EU-00-002) is an initiative of the respective regional subgroup of the European Dry Grassland Group (EDGG). Its aim is to compile the available published and unpublished vegetation-plot data of dry grasslands and related syntaxa (mainly vegetation classes Koelerio-Corynephoretea, Festuco-Brometea, and Trifolio-Geranietea) from the study region (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, NW Russia, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, N Poland, and NE Germany). The only requirement for inclusion is that the plot size is between 1 and 100 m2. The database is managed under Sort 4.0, but shall be transferred to TURBOVEG soon. Presently…
Variations in seed germination behavior ofPhleum hirsutumsubsp.ambiguumand possible applications in semi-natural grassland restoration
2015
Phleum hirsutum Honck. subsp. ambiguum (Ten.) Tzvelev is an important component of the vegetation of some semi-natural grassland habitats of central and southern Italy and especially of those referring to the 6210* habitat (Directive 92/43/EEC). Seeds of this species are required for the execution of restoration works concerning this habitat. Therefore, the recovery and the study of autochthonous germplasm are needed. This study focused on the intra-specific variations in seed mass and size and in seed germination behavior in this species since the knowledge of these aspects can be very useful in the planning of restoration projects. The present research evidenced significant differences in…
GrassPlot v. 2.00 : first update on the database of multi-scale plant diversity in Palaearctic grasslands
2019
Abstract: GrassPlot is a collaborative vegetation-plot database organised by the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) and listed in the Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases (GIVD ID EU-00-003). Following a previous Long Database Report (Dengler et al. 2018, Phyto- coenologia 48, 331–347), we provide here the first update on content and functionality of GrassPlot. The current version (GrassPlot v. 2.00) contains a total of 190,673 plots of different grain sizes across 28,171 independent plots, with 4,654 nested-plot series including at least four grain sizes. The database has improved its content as well as its functionality, including addition and harmonization of header data (land use,…