Literature type: Thesis
Language:
English
External Link:
Full reference: Niemelä, M. 2009. Biotic interactions and vegetation management on coastal meadows. , Acta Universitatis Ouluensis. A Scientiae Rerum Naturalium 360. Faculty of Science, University of Oulu, Finland.
Keywords: cattle, coastal meadow, diet of geese, grazing, management, plant\ncompetition, plant parasitism, threatened species, vegetation succession, Finland, Bothnian Bay
Abstract:
Conservation of rare habitats and species are central elements in the management of semi-natural grasslands of high biodiversity. Understanding the impacts of various abiotic and biotic interactions and management methods on threatened species is fundamental to their conservation. In the present study, effects of competition, plant parasitism, grazing and mowing were studied at the community level in Bothnian Bay coastal meadows and in greenhouse. This was the first time when the impacts of various biotic interactions on the critically endangered creeping alkali grass (Puccinellia phryganodes) have been explored in detail in one of its rare occurrences in the boreal vegetation zone in Europe. In addition, questions related to ecological and economical sustainability of cattle grazing on coastal meadows were examined. Puccinellia phryganodes was found to suffer severely from competition with taller graminoids. Simulated and actual grazing by greylag goose, Anser anser, as well as infection by a hemiparasitic plant, Odontites litoralis, were found to indirectly benefit P. phryganodes by decreasing the competitive advantage of its competitors. In spite of the relatively intensive grazing by greylag goose in the field, P. phryganodes experienced a drastic decrease during four years in the grazed experimental quadrats and simultaneously the proportion of the taller graminoids increased substantially. Primary succession of coastal meadow vegetation was found to progress rapidly and continuous formation of suitable open habitats is therefore crucial for the subordinate species. Mowing was found to be an effective management method for some threatened plant species in coastal meadows, but not for P. phryganodes, which would probably benefit more, for example, from livestock grazing. Both lightly and rather intensively managed large open meadows could provide optimal habitats for the critically endangered lesser white fronted goose (Anser erythropus) as well as for the greylag goose. The relatively low and variable yield of the coastal meadow vegetation compared to that of cultivated grasslands sets limits how management by cattle grazing can be implemented. Key factors for both the biodiversity management and livestock production in coastal meadows are timing of the grazing season, intensity of grazing and selection of suitable types of animals.
Literature type: Rep.article
Language:
English
Full reference: Luukkonen, A. 2009. The spring migration of the Lesser White-fronted Goose on Bothnian Bay coast, Finland, in 2004–2008. , In: Tolvanen, P., Øien, I.J. & Ruokolainen, K. (eds.). Conservation of Lesser White-fronted Goose on the European migration route. Final report of the EU LIFE-Nature project 2005–2009. WWF Finland Report 27 & NOF Rapportserie Report No 1-2009: pp. 25-27.
Keywords: monitoring, EU-Life, annual report, Fennoscandian
Literature type: Rep.article
Language:
English
Full reference: Markkola, J., Luukkonen, A. & Leinonen, A. 2004. The spring migration of the Lesser White-fronted Goose on Bothnian Bay coast, Finland, in 2001-2003. , In: Aarvak, T. & Timonen, S. (eds.). Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Report 2001-2003. WWF Finland Report No 20 & Norwegian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report No 1-2004: pp. 14-18.
Keywords: Annual report, monitoring, Finland
Literature type: Rep.article
Language:
English
Full reference: Luukkonen, A. & Markkola, J. 2004. The autumn migration survey of Lesser White-fronted Goose in Bothnian Bay area, Finland, in 2002. , In: Aarvak, T. & Timonen, S. (eds.). Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Report 2001-2003. WWF Finland Report No 20 & Norwegian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report No 1-2004: p. 29.
Keywords: Annual report, monitoring
Literature type: Rep.article
Language:
English
Full reference: Markkola, J. 2001. Spring migration of Lesser White-fronted Geese in Finnish Bothnian Bay coast in 2000. , In: Tolvanen, P., Øien, I.J. & Ruokolainen, K. (eds.). Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual report 2000. WWF Finland Report 13 & Norwegian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report No 1-2001: pp. 12-16.
Keywords: Annual report, monitoring, Finland
Literature type: Rep.article
Language:
English
Full reference: Timonen, S. 2000. The spring migration of the Lesser White-fronted Goose at Bothnian Bay in 1999. , In: Tolvanen, P., Øien, I.J. & Ruokolainen, K. (eds.). Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual report 1999. WWF Finland Report 12 & Norwegian Ornithological Society, NOF rapportserie Report No 1-2000: pp. 22-23.
Keywords: conservation, monitoring, Fennoscandian annual
Literature type: Rep.article
Language:
English
Full reference: Timonen, S. 1999. The spring migration of Lesser White-fronted Goose at Bothnian Bay in 1998. , In: Tolvanen, P., Øien, I.J. & Ruokolainen, K. (eds.): Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual report 1998. WWF Finland Report 10 & Norwegian Ornithological Society, NOF rapportserie Report No 1-1999.: pp. 18-20.
Keywords: conservation, monitoring, Fennoscandian annual
Literature type: Rep.article
Language:
English
Full reference: Markkola, J., Ohtonen, A. & Karvonen, R. 1997. Spring staging areas of the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus on Bothnian Bay coast: features of spring migration in 1997. , In: Tolvanen, P., Ruokolainen, K., Markkola, J. & Karvonen, R. (eds). Finnish Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual report 1997. WWF Finland Report No 9: pp. 12-18.
Keywords: monitoring, Finland
Number of results: 8