Mosses and lichens in dynamics of acidic sandy grasslands: specific response to grazing exclosure = Mohok és zuzmók legelelés kizárásra adott válasza savanyú homoki gyepekben

Balogh, Rebeka and Farkas, Edit and Lőkös, László and Papp, Beáta and Budai, Júlia and Antal, Károly and Novák, Tibor and Matus, Gábor (2017) Mosses and lichens in dynamics of acidic sandy grasslands: specific response to grazing exclosure = Mohok és zuzmók legelelés kizárásra adott válasza savanyú homoki gyepekben. Acta Biologica Plantarum Agriensis, 5 (1). p. 30. ISSN 2061-6716

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Abstract

Cryptogams, a neglected segment in vegetation dynamics, can form a large part of biomass in sandy grasslands. Since the pioneer work of Verseghy (early 1970s) their biomass and productivity has not been analyzed in Hungary. We intended to contribute to the knowledge of dynamics of cryprogams in dry acidic grasslands. Study objects were permanent plots in endangered open sandy grasslands ‘Pannonic inland dunes’ (EU Habitat Directive, 2340). Vegetation of CORYNEPHORETUM CANESCENTIS (CC) and FESTUCETUM VAGINATAE (FV), characteristic vegetation types of the Nyírség region (NE Hungary) has been monitored in grazed and experimentally fenced stands. Fencing was used to model the overall trend of falling stocking densities. Biomass of cryptogams has been sampled in 2013, five years after grazing exclosure then hand-sorted into species. Morphological studies, spot tests and HPTLC have also been applied to identify critical lichen taxa. Fencing has led to an increased biomass of cryptogams. Biomass of mosses exceeded those of lichens irrespective of the community or management. Cryptogamic biomass tended to be lower in CC than in FV and lower in grazed stands compared to fenced ones. Most frequent cryptogams (Brachythecium albicans, Cladonia rangiformis, C. rei, Polytrichum piliferum) have been supported by exclosure. Lichens benefitted relatively more from exclosure than did the mosses. The only lichen favoured by moderate grazing has been Cladonia magyarica. Soil traits (pH, organic material, P2O5) had contrasting effects on biomass fractions under different management (Spearman’s rank correlation). More significant correlations have been revealed in fenced stands than in the grazed ones. FV had more correlations than the CC. The few strict correlations included preference of Syntrichia ruralis for higher while that of Polytrichum piliferum for lower pH values. Low phosphorous content has been positively correlated with Cladonia rangiformis, Polytrichum piliferum, total moss and total of cryptogams while higher values only supported Brachythecium albicans. This suggests more organized assemblages in ungrazed stands and in the FV, respectively. Compared to soil traits microtopography had a minor effect on cryptogam distribution. Initial establishment pattern or random patch formation seem to be as important as all above-mentioned factors together. Long-term grazing exclosure is likely to promote further spread of the dominants, Cladonia rangiformis and Polytrichum piliferum. Short spells of grazing are likely to promote cryptogam biodiversity. Chemical analyses have been supported by OTKA K81232 and NKFIH K_17/124341.

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