Effects of Long-Term Mowing on Biomass Composition in Pannonian Dry Grasslands

This study is focused on the vegetation of seminatural dry grasslands. These grasslands are valuable with large biodiversity; however, their long-term preservation requires regular conservation management. report demonstrates results a 13-years mowing experiment, designed to suppress spread an unpalatable grass species, Calamagrostis epigejos. The site was located in mid-successional grasslands, Western-Cserhát, near Rád, Northern Hungary. experimental design consisted eight permanent plots, where applied twice year. sampled annually (from 2001 2013). impacts were tested using repeated–measures analyses variance (ANOVA). In 2001, epigejos species highest cover both mown and control sites, average value 63%. However, as result mowing, significant difference detected amount litter legumes well. number showed increase types treatment, from 15 37 mowed but also 18 27 plots. We concluded that year proved be useful measure for modifying botanical composition grassland. It well suited agricultural usage, particular grazing, which can replace expensive time-consuming scythe. Mowing suitable management controlling native invader such epigejos, significantly proportion higher forage values.