Archived
This content is available here for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping.
Publication Date
1977
Description
The objective of the investigations described in this paper consisted in finding out the effect of industry-like production methods on grassland ecosystems from the plant-sociological, ecological, and agricultural points of view. In 1954, grassland phytocoenoses in the Elbe river valley near Dessau and in the Mulde river valley near Wurzen had been the object of geobotanical investigations. These investigations were repeated in 1976. Sprinkler irrigation, intensive eutrophication, and ihe inclusion of grazing resulted in a complete change of the ecosystems. The productiveness of the swards improved substantially both in quantitative and in qualitative respect, and the number of species declined strongly. The latter concerned above all the species having a rather narrow ecological range, whereas several common and demanding meadow plants, above all grasses, in part reached a much higher share in the overall herbage yield. Both the soil reaction and the soil nutrient potential had improved significantly.
Citation
Hundt, Rudolf, "Studies on the alteration of grassland ecosystems under intensification of grassland management in the GDR" (1977). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 18.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1977/sess3/18)
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Studies on the alteration of grassland ecosystems under intensification of grassland management in the GDR
The objective of the investigations described in this paper consisted in finding out the effect of industry-like production methods on grassland ecosystems from the plant-sociological, ecological, and agricultural points of view. In 1954, grassland phytocoenoses in the Elbe river valley near Dessau and in the Mulde river valley near Wurzen had been the object of geobotanical investigations. These investigations were repeated in 1976. Sprinkler irrigation, intensive eutrophication, and ihe inclusion of grazing resulted in a complete change of the ecosystems. The productiveness of the swards improved substantially both in quantitative and in qualitative respect, and the number of species declined strongly. The latter concerned above all the species having a rather narrow ecological range, whereas several common and demanding meadow plants, above all grasses, in part reached a much higher share in the overall herbage yield. Both the soil reaction and the soil nutrient potential had improved significantly.
