Long‐term exclosure of sheep‐grazing from an ancient wood: Vegetation change after a sixty‐year experiment. Issue 1 (17th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vild, Ondřej; Douglas Rotherham, Ian
• Editors: Ohlemuller, Ralf
• Is Part Of: Applied vegetation science. Volume 24:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-11-17
• Subjects: ecological succession -- forest management -- grazing intensity -- herbaceous layer -- long‐term change -- species diversity -- temperate woodland -- tree regeneration -- vegetation monitoring; Plant ecology -- Periodicals; Plant communities -- Periodicals; Plant populations -- Periodicals; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Periodicals; 581.705
• DOI: 10.1111/avsc.12543
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1402-2001

Abstract

Abstract: Question: An ancient woodland site with a long history of coppicing and heavy grazing was protected from domesticated stock in 1955. Results of a vegetation‐monitoring experiment were subsequently published in 1983. This study followed up the original research to investigate whether observed trends were as predicted. These included a shift in tree species composition in favour of shade‐tolerant species, beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) and rowan ( Sorbus aucuparia ), at the expense of light‐demanding birch ( Betula spp.) and oak ( Quercus petraea agg.), and progress towards a typical woodland ground flora. Location: Peak District National Park, United Kingdom. Methods: The mixed oak–birch woodland was re‐surveyed in 2011. Two enclosures (1955 and 1980s) and an unenclosed control area were investigated. Overstorey structure and composition was assessed by measuring canopy openness and the girths of all trees and saplings. Herb layer species composition was also recorded in 28 vegetation plots. Results: We demonstrated a progressive decline in the number of mature oaks and birch in the old enclosure although they still regenerated successfully. Only a few individuals of beech and rowan appeared. Herb layer species composition differed between the subareas but since the 1980s, the temporal change in the old enclosure was negligible. The new enclosure followed a similar pattern in both canopy and herb layer as observed in the early years in the old enclosure. However, the control subarea had no regeneration of woody species and limited ground flora. Conclusions: After nearly 60 years, the replacement of light‐demanding dominants by shade‐tolerant trees was still limited, probably by low pH and stable light conditions. The findings are pertinent to the impacts of large herbivore grazing (domestic stock or wild) on woodland dynamics. Abstract : We revisited ancient woodland in the Peak District National Park, UK, protected from grazing since 1955 and used for long‐term impact research. We found progressive decline in the rate of tree regeneration but ongoing regeneration of light‐demanding oak and birch and weak expansion of shade‐tolerant beech and rowan in the enclosure. Differences in herb layer inside and outside were significant, but with limited change since 1981.