Publication Date

1985

Location

Kyoto Japan

Description

Results of a phytosociological study on weed communities of sown pastures were applied for the diagnosis of pasture conditions. Weed communities were closely related with site conditions and successional stage, and species groups were identified as indicators for the diagnosis of pasture conditions. The chenopodietea group which appeared in xerotic sites and the Bidentetea group which appeared in mesic sites indicated the initial stage of pasture development or pasture disturbed by overgrazing. These two groups appeared at the eutrophic site. The Artemisietea and Plantaginetea groups indicated the second stage of pasture development, and it was considered that the presence of a small amount of these weeds indicated excellent conditions. However, invasion by a large quantity of these weeds, which occurred in aged pastures under extensive management, pointed to the decline or deterioration of the pasture. The presence of the Miscanthetea group clearly indicated degenerated conditions resulting from inadequate management for many years, i.e.an oligotrophic site. This species group appeared also in the early stage of pastures established by the "no-tillage" method in the course of retrogressive succession, and more often in the warm temperate zone than in the cooler zone. It is concluded that species groups which are selected from community component are useful indicators for the diagnosis of pasture conditions.

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Phytosociological Diagnosis of Sown Pastures by Weed Species Group

Kyoto Japan

Results of a phytosociological study on weed communities of sown pastures were applied for the diagnosis of pasture conditions. Weed communities were closely related with site conditions and successional stage, and species groups were identified as indicators for the diagnosis of pasture conditions. The chenopodietea group which appeared in xerotic sites and the Bidentetea group which appeared in mesic sites indicated the initial stage of pasture development or pasture disturbed by overgrazing. These two groups appeared at the eutrophic site. The Artemisietea and Plantaginetea groups indicated the second stage of pasture development, and it was considered that the presence of a small amount of these weeds indicated excellent conditions. However, invasion by a large quantity of these weeds, which occurred in aged pastures under extensive management, pointed to the decline or deterioration of the pasture. The presence of the Miscanthetea group clearly indicated degenerated conditions resulting from inadequate management for many years, i.e.an oligotrophic site. This species group appeared also in the early stage of pastures established by the "no-tillage" method in the course of retrogressive succession, and more often in the warm temperate zone than in the cooler zone. It is concluded that species groups which are selected from community component are useful indicators for the diagnosis of pasture conditions.