Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing

Marie Mrázková-Štýbnarová, Michaela Kolářová, Radek Štencl, Prokop Šmirous, Marie Bjelková, Josef Holec, Martin Vašinka, Luděk Tyšer and Oldřich Látal
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Marie Mrázková-Štýbnarová: Agrovýzkum Rapotín Ltd., Šumperk, Czech Republic
Michaela Kolářová: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Radek Štencl: Administration of Protected Landscape Area Jeseníky Mountains, Jeseník, Czech Republic
Prokop Šmirous: Agritec Plant Research Ltd., Šumperk, Czech Republic
Marie Bjelková: Agritec, Research, Breeding and Services, Ltd., Šumperk, Czech Republic
Josef Holec: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Martin Vašinka: Agrovýzkum Rapotín Ltd., Šumperk, Czech Republic
Luděk Tyšer: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Oldřich Látal: Agrovýzkum Rapotín Ltd., Šumperk, Czech Republic

Plant, Soil and Environment, 2025, vol. 71, issue 5, 338-352

Abstract: The species diversity of the unique flora in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains is currently threatened due to the absence of traditional grazing, which was historically used as a management practice. This study evaluates changes in floristic composition in areas near the Švýcárna and Ovčárna lodges, where cattle and sheep grazing was reintroduced in 2012 and 2014, respectively, after long-term abandonment. The floristic composition was assessed using permanent plots and analysed statistically. In total, 84 plant species were recorded in the Švýcárna experimental area over 12 years. All experimental plots throughout the study observed an increase in species richness. In the Ovčárna area, a similar trend was detected, particularly in grazed grasslands dominated by Avenella flexuosa, Festuca supina, and Ligusticum mutellina. The reintroduction of grazing in these areas serves not only as a symbolic return to traditional land use but primarily as an effective management tool to suppress ecological succession and maintain or enhance plant species diversity in biologically valuable habitats.

Keywords: nature conservation; biodiversity; livestock; revitalisation; grazing management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:71:y:2025:i:5:id:12-2025-pse

DOI: 10.17221/12/2025-PSE

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