Cryptogamic Biomass in Pannonic Acidic Sand Steppes Subject to Changing Land-Use
Cryptogams, often neglected in vegetation dynamics studies, compose a large part of biomass and contribute to the biodiversity of sandy grasslands. Since the work of Verseghy (1970s), their productivity has not been analyzed in Hungary. We studied the lichen and bryophyte dynamics (hereinafter calle...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/16/2972 |
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| author | Rebeka Aszalósné Balogh Edit Farkas Júlia Tüdősné Budai László Lőkös Gábor Matus |
| author_facet | Rebeka Aszalósné Balogh Edit Farkas Júlia Tüdősné Budai László Lőkös Gábor Matus |
| author_sort | Rebeka Aszalósné Balogh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cryptogams, often neglected in vegetation dynamics studies, compose a large part of biomass and contribute to the biodiversity of sandy grasslands. Since the work of Verseghy (1970s), their productivity has not been analyzed in Hungary. We studied the lichen and bryophyte dynamics (hereinafter called cryptogams) at two Eastern Hungarian dry sandy grassland sites. The sites of <i>Corynephorus canescens</i> and of <i>Festuca vaginata</i> dominance, respectively, belonging to the community <i>Festuco vaginatae–Corynephoretum</i> have been monitored. We aimed at (1) quantifying the diversity and biomass of the cryptogamic communities; (2) exploring the cryptogamic response to management changes; and (3) studying the effect of experimental management (fencing) on the cryptogamic assemblages. The sites have been compared in 2013 and 2018, respectively. Forty microplots per site per management have been analyzed in both years. Samples of lichens and bryophytes were hand-sorted, dried and then measured. Fencing has led to increased biomass of cryptogams within a few years. Lichens in general benefited comparatively more from exclosure than bryophytes. The increase in lichen biomass (especially that of <i>Cladonia rangiformis</i>) is clearly due to the over 10-year absence of grazing. The only lichen favored by moderate grazing is the legally protected <i>C. magyarica</i>. Short spells of low-intensity grazing can promote the species richness of cryptogams in the community. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:38:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-02b6136c17144b58b955bf7a4709fd71 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:38:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-02b6136c17144b58b955bf7a4709fd712023-11-19T02:41:45ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472023-08-011216297210.3390/plants12162972Cryptogamic Biomass in Pannonic Acidic Sand Steppes Subject to Changing Land-UseRebeka Aszalósné Balogh0Edit Farkas1Júlia Tüdősné Budai2László Lőkös3Gábor Matus4Department of Applied Plant Biology, Institute of Crop Sciences, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi u. 138, 4032 Debrecen, HungaryInstitute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, HungaryResearch Institute of Karcag, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kisújszállási u. 166, 5300 Karcag, HungaryDepartment of Botany, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Pf. 137, 1431 Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences & Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, HungaryCryptogams, often neglected in vegetation dynamics studies, compose a large part of biomass and contribute to the biodiversity of sandy grasslands. Since the work of Verseghy (1970s), their productivity has not been analyzed in Hungary. We studied the lichen and bryophyte dynamics (hereinafter called cryptogams) at two Eastern Hungarian dry sandy grassland sites. The sites of <i>Corynephorus canescens</i> and of <i>Festuca vaginata</i> dominance, respectively, belonging to the community <i>Festuco vaginatae–Corynephoretum</i> have been monitored. We aimed at (1) quantifying the diversity and biomass of the cryptogamic communities; (2) exploring the cryptogamic response to management changes; and (3) studying the effect of experimental management (fencing) on the cryptogamic assemblages. The sites have been compared in 2013 and 2018, respectively. Forty microplots per site per management have been analyzed in both years. Samples of lichens and bryophytes were hand-sorted, dried and then measured. Fencing has led to increased biomass of cryptogams within a few years. Lichens in general benefited comparatively more from exclosure than bryophytes. The increase in lichen biomass (especially that of <i>Cladonia rangiformis</i>) is clearly due to the over 10-year absence of grazing. The only lichen favored by moderate grazing is the legally protected <i>C. magyarica</i>. Short spells of low-intensity grazing can promote the species richness of cryptogams in the community.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/16/2972biomassbryophytescryptogamsdry grasslandlichens |
| spellingShingle | Rebeka Aszalósné Balogh Edit Farkas Júlia Tüdősné Budai László Lőkös Gábor Matus Cryptogamic Biomass in Pannonic Acidic Sand Steppes Subject to Changing Land-Use Plants biomass bryophytes cryptogams dry grassland lichens |
| title | Cryptogamic Biomass in Pannonic Acidic Sand Steppes Subject to Changing Land-Use |
| title_full | Cryptogamic Biomass in Pannonic Acidic Sand Steppes Subject to Changing Land-Use |
| title_fullStr | Cryptogamic Biomass in Pannonic Acidic Sand Steppes Subject to Changing Land-Use |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cryptogamic Biomass in Pannonic Acidic Sand Steppes Subject to Changing Land-Use |
| title_short | Cryptogamic Biomass in Pannonic Acidic Sand Steppes Subject to Changing Land-Use |
| title_sort | cryptogamic biomass in pannonic acidic sand steppes subject to changing land use |
| topic | biomass bryophytes cryptogams dry grassland lichens |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/16/2972 |
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