Semi-natural grassland as source of seeding material for sward restoration in high nature value areas

Abstract

In recent years semi-natural grassland has gained a multifunctional role in the environment. In addition to providing forage for farm animals, many other functions of semi-natural grassland, including biodiversity, are even so important. From this point of view, grasslands of high natural value are of high significance. Throughout the history, biodiversity has been maintained primarily by the extensive grazing and harvesting hay during seed maturation. With the intensification of grassland management in the 20^th century and the use of commercial seed mixtures on the semi- natural grasslands, biodiversity of the sward in general began to decline. We have recently become aware of the negative consequences of declining biodiversity and begun to develop measures to stop this process. Among these measures, establishment and restoration of semi-natural grassland with high natural value play an important role. Seed material for the establishment and restoration of such sward can be obtained only from species rich semi-natural grassland. In recent years a variety of methods have been developed all over the world for seed production and sowing on semi-natural grasslands, allowing successful reestablishment of original biodiversity, adapted to local growing conditions.