Ausmagerung ehemals gedüngter Wiesen, in den ersten fünfzehn Jahren nach Aufgeben der Düngung

Abstract

The aim of the present survey is to describe how the vegetation of meadows, formerly farmed in various ways has evolved since 1977, when manuring was given up entirely and the area under study was only mowed once to twice a year. Between 1982 and 1991, an increase of 50 percent in the number of species was ascertained. Whereas some plants indicating rich nutrition have maintained their respective levels as established when we started the study in 1982, the nutrient-loving species have in general and by steps markedly decreased; in part, they were replaced by indicators of poorer soil. The tendency towards meagering out is expected to proceed but at a slow rate only, thus it is felt that it might take decennies before the state of true meager-grass meadow is eventually reached.