PREDICTION OF GRASSLAND QUALITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL-MANAGEMENT

Fifty plots on grassland on well-drained soil were investigated for la nd use history and analysed for the species composition of vascular pl ants, macrofungi, bryophytes, lichens, hepatics and for 20 environment al variables. A DCA ordination showed an overall influence of land use history on species composition. DCA axis 1 was strongly correlated wi th species diversity of vascular plants. High species diversity is pro posed to result from the combined action of high pH, high CaCO3 conten t, high age of turf, grazing and absence of fertilization. A DCCA ordi nation lead to the proposal of 22 species as indicators of old, unamel iorated grasslands in Denmark.