| |
| DOI: | 10.2307/2401770 |
|---|
| Web URL(s): | http://www.jstor.org/stable/2401770
Last checked: 04/28/2014
Access conditions: Item is within a limited-access website
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2401770.pdf
Last checked: 03/22/2011
Requires: PDF Reader
Access conditions: Item is within a limited-access website |
|---|
| Publication Type:
| Refereed |
|---|
| Author(s): | Watt, Alex S. |
|---|
| Author Affiliation: | The Botany School, University of Cambridge |
|---|
| Title: | Senescence and rejuvenation in ungrazed chalk grassland (grassland B) in Breckland: The significance of litter and of moles |
|---|
| Source: | Journal of Applied Ecology. Vol. 11, No. 3, December 1974, p. 1157-1171. |
|---|
| Publishing Information: | Oxford, England, United Kingdom: Blackwell Scientific Publications |
|---|
| # of Pages: | 15 |
|---|
| Related Web URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/info/2401770
Last checked: 04/28/2014
Notes: Summary only |
|---|
| Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Festuca rubra subsp. rubra; Bromus erectus
|
|---|
| Geographic Terms: | UK |
|---|
| Abstract/Contents: | "Changes in the floristic composition of the ungrazed chalk grassland on Foxhole Heath, Breckland, between the years 1938 and 1971 are considered in relation to changes in the neighbouring vegetation, weather at the time of record, soil change and mole activity. Additions to the flora (mainly tall hemicryptophytes) are primarily related to human agency and contribute little to the vegetation, but Festuca rubra and Zerna erecta are potentially important. Losses and decreases are mainly among the annuals and small perennials even though the adjoining grassland on the western boundary acts as a continuing source of seed: hence the weather is not held responsible for their absence. Soil change in pH and CaCO3 is negligible but the `loss on ignition' has increased. The primary cause of change is correlated with the reduction in area covered by mole hills which in this sandy soil and dry climate are soon flattened. Interpreted against the background of phasic structure the community has developed to the point where the pioneer and building phases are virtually absent: the community has become older, even with some symptoms of senescence. Mole hills are an eruption into a cycle of change involving the mature phase, the degenerate phase (where the litter cover exercises a selective effect on the species established by seed, excluding small annuals), and the phase (degenerate-building) replacing it consisting of some taller perennials and species spreading vegetatively from the margin to give a phase resembling, but not the same as, the phase following the pioneer on the mole hill, but merging with it into the mature phase. Confirmation of the processes involved is provided in the annual record of change (1936-70) in the enclosure on Lakenheath Warren (grassland B) showing (a) the reduction in the original number of species (with the elimination of the less competitive), (b) the entry and re-entry of annuals on mole hills, and (c) the selective effect of the litter covered degenerate phase both on the local and the introduced species. The role of litter is also discussed in relation to the future of the Callunetum which has developed on the formerly grazed chalk grassland. Mole activity is briefly-discussed in relation to aims in the management of plant communities: and for chalk grassland in Breckland suggestions are made for a flexible management plan where the aim is to restore or maintain floristic and life form variety, vigour and genetic variability." |
|---|
| Language: | English |
|---|
| References: | 13 |
|---|
| See Also: | Other items relating to: Mole Control |
|---|
| Note: | Summary appears as abstract
Tables
Graphs |
|---|
| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Watt, A. S. 1974. Senescence and rejuvenation in ungrazed chalk grassland (grassland B) in Breckland: The significance of litter and of moles. J. Appl. Ecol. 11(3):p. 1157-1171. |
| Fastlink to access this record outside TGIF: https://tic.msu.edu/tgif/flink?recno=3613 |
| If there are problems with this record, send us feedback about record 3613. |
| Choices for finding the above item: |
|---|
| DOI: 10.2307/2401770 |
| Web URL(s):
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2401770
Last checked: 04/28/2014
Access conditions: Item is within a limited-access website
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2401770.pdf
Last checked: 03/22/2011
Requires: PDF Reader
Access conditions: Item is within a limited-access website |
| 
MSU catalog number: b2223163 |
| Find from within TIC:
Digitally in TIC by record number. |
| Request through your local library's inter-library loan service (bring or send a copy of this TGIF record) |
