EVALUATING THE IMPACTS OF MOWING - A CASE-STUDY COMPARING MANAGED ANDABANDONED MEADOW PATCHES

Two abandoned and two mown adjacently situated semi-natural meadow pat ches were compared for species richness, evenness and soil nutrient va lues. The differences in flora and vegetation cover between the sites were examined using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The physi cal conditions between the habitats were compared by categorizing the species with two competitive theories for plant strategies: the MacArt hur-Fretwell scheme and Grime's CSR model. Both calculated richness in dices and direct species counts indicate that diversity is higher in t he abandoned meadow patches than in the corresponding managed meadows. The evenness values imply that the species dominance pattern is simil ar under both types of management. According to the CCA ordination, th e differences in nutrient concentration between the sites significantl y influenced the occurrence of species. The method of evaluating the s uccession stage of a habitat by combining diversity measures and count ing plant strategy shares, especially with regard to competitive speci es, may help the manager to decide on the urgency of restoration. As t he MacArthur-Fretwell scheme showed the prevailing physical conditions using species life history strategies more illustratively, it can be recommended for studies in which it is important to define the success ion stage that might be fatal to high species diversity. This will fac ilitate the decision-making on management practices.