RESTORATION OF SPECIES-RICH DRY HEATHS - THE IMPORTANCE OF APPROPRIATE SOIL-CONDITIONS

The aim of many rehabilitation projects in degraded ecosystems is to r estore biodiversity. In order to achieve this, restoration often focus es on abiotic conditions as they are the main cause for the degradatio n of the ecosystem. The necessity of restoring the soil conditions for rehabilitation-of heathland vegetation is shown by this study. Three dry heathland areas were studied: an acidic species-poor heath which i s degrading as a result of atmospheric nitrogen deposition, an acidifi ed matgrass sward and an abandoned grassland. We aimed to restore the characteristic plant communities of the heathlands: a Calluno-Genistio n pilosae community in the acidic species-poor heath and a Nardo-Galio n saxatilis community in both the acidified matgrass sward and the aba ndoned grassland. Restoration methods included sod-cutting to the mine ral soil layer, liming and a combination of sod cutting and liming. Ef fects of these methods on top soil chemistry, vegetation development a nd development and demography of the rare Arnica montana are shown and discussed. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of seed availabilit y in relation to the importance of restoring soil conditions for succe ssful rehabilitation of heathlands.