JOPEC_5.2_Pilkington_paper_.pdf (96.87 kB)
Conservation monitoring of three management treatments for public understanding of meadow management
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 00:49 authored by Margaret PilkingtonIn this paper the declining habitat of flower-rich grassland on neutral soil (MG5a) is used as an example to show how non-classical ecological experiments set in a real-life situations can provide answers to practical questions and thus contribute directly to achieving biodiversity targets. Such biodiverse grassland is vanishing at an alarming rate from the farming sector, but remains as small areas within many community sites. Here it is unlikely to be managed appropriately unless the effect of different management treatments can be demonstrated to the local community and to those responsible for management decisions. This paper describes such a demonstration set up on a community site in Sussex. Three different treatments were imposed on the field in a way that was practical to apply and easily understood, but since this precluded replication of treatments the demonstration should be regarded as an example of pro-active conservation monitoring rather than a field trial. Discriminant analysis was used to show pre-treatment similarities between areas together with change of direction following treatments, supporting conclusions drawn from unreplicated analysis of variance models. Aftermath grazing led to a higher percentage cover of wildflowers in the sward and an annual application of organic fertiliser led to a lower percentage cover of wildflowers. Varying the timing of the hay cut made no significant difference
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Journal of Practical Ecology and ConservationISSN
1354-0270Publisher
UKEconetIssue
2Volume
5Page range
47-56Pages
1.0Department affiliated with
- Centre for Community Engagement Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2013-02-13First Open Access (FOA) Date
2013-02-14First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2013-02-14Usage metrics
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