Zoochory on and off: A field experiment for trait‐based analysis of establishment success of grassland species

Aims We tested the establishment success of grassland species in presence or absence zoochory by livestock and identified traits associated with successful establishment. Location Hortobágy National Park, Hungary. Methods In six restored species-poor grasslands we established two species-rich 4 m × source plots per site 2013. One plot was managed extensive cattle grazing (“zoochory on”), other one fenced protected from grazers off”). monitored vegetation development (2014–2018), sown (2016–2018) adjacent dispersal four, 20-m-long strips a total 960 plots. calculated community-weighted means thirteen plant related to regeneration competitive ability. The effect grazing, year, distance plots, grazing–year grazing–distance interactions on population trait dynamics were analysed generalized linear mixed-effect models. Results Although reduced cover flowering number events higher next grazed most abundant but occurred at all distances. Zoochory favoured perennial plants high specific leaf area (SLA), low dry matter content (LDMC), short stature, light seeds, early period, clonal index anemochory index. Conclusions showed that can colonize matrix without have contrasting syndromes. grazing-adapted ecosystems, fencing populations target does not always seem be good option. It tool for increasing run, it significantly decreased their chance surrounding long run.