Fine-Scale Organization and Dynamics of Matrix-Forming Species in Primary and Secondary Grasslands

Sándor Bartha (), Judit Házi, Dragica Purger, Zita Zimmermann, Gábor Szabó, Zsófia Eszter Guller, András István Csathó and Sándor Csete
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Sándor Bartha: Institute of Ecology and Botany, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány út 2–4., H-2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
Judit Házi: Department of Botany, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Rottenbiller utca 50., H-1077 Budapest, Hungary
Dragica Purger: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Pécs, Rókus utca 4., H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
Zita Zimmermann: Balaton-Felvidéki National Park Directorate, Kossuth utca 16., H-8229 Csopak, Hungary
Gábor Szabó: Balaton-Felvidéki National Park Directorate, Kossuth utca 16., H-8229 Csopak, Hungary
Zsófia Eszter Guller: Department of Nature Conservation and Landscape Management, Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly utca 1., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
András István Csathó: Independent Researcher, H-5830 Battonya, Hungary
Sándor Csete: Department of Nature Conservation Biology, Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guba Sándor utca 40., H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: Dominant species form species-specific fine-scale vegetation matrices in grasslands that regulate community dynamics, diversity and ecosystem functioning. The structure of these dynamic microscale landscapes was analyzed and compared between primary and secondary plant communities. We explored fine-scale monitoring data along permanent transects over seven consecutive years. Spatial and temporal patterns of dominant grass species ( Festuca valesiaca , Alopecurus pratensis and Poa angustifolia ) were analyzed using information theory models. These matrix-forming species showed high spatiotemporal variability in all grasslands. However, consistent differences were found between primary and secondary grasslands in the spatial and temporal organization of the vegetation matrix. Alopecurus pratensis and Poa angustifolia had coarse-scale patchiness with stronger aggregation in secondary grasslands. The spatial patterns of Festuca valesiaca were nearly random in both types of grasslands. Strong associations were observed among the spatial patterns of each species across years, with a stronger dependence in secondary grasslands. In contrast, the rate of fine-scale dynamics was higher in primary grasslands. The complexity of microhabitats within the matrix was higher in primary grasslands, often involving two to three dominant species, while, in secondary grasslands, patches formed by a single dominant species were more frequent. In the spatial variability of small-scale subordinate species richness, significant, temporally consistent differences were found. Higher variability in secondary grasslands suggests stronger and more spatially variable microhabitat filtering. We recommend that grassland management and restoration practices be guided by preliminary information on the spatial organization of primary grasslands. Enhancing the complexity of the matrix formed by dominant species can further improve the condition of secondary grasslands.

Keywords: information theory models; loess meadow steppe; long-term monitoring; old field succession; permanent transect; plant community dynamics; small-scale dynamics; spatial patterns (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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