Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diversity models applied to a chalk grassland

  • Chapter
Plant community ecology: Papers in honor of Robert H. Whittaker

Part of the book series: Advances in vegetation science ((AIVS,volume 7))

  • 204 Accesses

Abstract

In a permanent plot experiment started in 1971, the effects of several management regimes on diversity of a Dutch chalk grassland have been investigated and the results have been compared to existing models predicting general trends in diversity. Treatments included grazing, mowing, and leaving untouched; in the mown plots, the effects of fertilizing and sod cutting were also studied. Grazing resulted in the highest diversity, leaving untouched in the lowest (ca. 42 and 15 spp. per m2, respectively). Within the mown plots, fertilizing decreased diversity. The effects of sod cutting disappeared after some years. The results conform best with the response surface model of Huston (1979) relating diversity to frequency of population reduction and rate of competitive displacement, but a slight modification of the shape of the surface is suggested.

Nomenclature follows van der Meijden et al., 1983.

The authors are very grateful to Dr J. Miles (Banchory, U.K.) for stimulating remarks and to Prof. Dr M. J. A. Werger, Dr R. K. Peet and two reviewers for many valuable comments and suggestions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abugov, R., 1982. Species diversity and phasing of disturbance. Ecology 63: 289–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alatalo, R. V., 1981. Problems in the measurements of evenness in ecology. Oikos 37: 199–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mufti, M. M. et al., 1977. A quantitative analysis of shoot phenology in herbaceous vegetation. J. Ecol. 65: 759–791.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Auclair, A. N. & Goff, F. G., 1971. Diversity relations of upland forests in the western Great Lakes area. Am. Nat. 105: 499–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, P. A., 1979. Vegetation science and nature conservation. In: M. J. A. Werger(ed.), The Study of Vegetation, pp. 247–288. Junk, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkman, J. J., Doing, H. & Segal, S., 1964. Kritische Bemerkungen und Vorschläge zur quantitativen Vegetationsanalyse. Acta Bot. Neerl. 13: 394–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boeijen, J. H. & Leeuwen, C. J. van, 1980. Een productie-oecologisch onderzoek aan enige kalkgraslanden in Zuid-Limburg. Internal Report Inst. Syst. Botany, Utrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyle, J. R. & Voigt, G. K., 1973. Biological weathering of silicate minerals — implications for tree nutrition and soil genesis. Plant & Soil 38: 191–201.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denslow, J. S., 1980. Patterns of plant species diversity during succession under different disturbance regimes. Oecologia (Berlin) 46: 18–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grime, J. P., 1973. Control of species density in herbaceous vegetation. J. Environ. Manage. 1: 151–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grime, J. P., 1974. Vegetation classification by reference to strategies. Nature (London) 250: 26–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grime, J. P., 1979. Plant Strategies and Vegetation Processes. Wiley, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grubb, P. J., 1976. A theoretical background to the conservation of ecologically distinct groups of annuals and biennials in the chalk grassland ecosystem. Biol. Conserv. 10: 53–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grubb, P. J., 1977. The maintenance of species-richness in plant communities: the importance of the regeneration niche. Biol. Rev. 52: 107–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harper, J. L., 1971. Grazing, fertilizers and pesticides in the management of grasslands. In: E. Duffey & A. S. Watt(eds.), Symp. Br. Ecol. Soc. 11: 15–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hope-Simpson, J. F., 1940. Studies of the vegetation of the English Chalk VI. Late stages in succession leading to chalk grassland. J. Ecol. 28: 386–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huston, M., 1979. A general hypothesis of species diversity. Am. Nat. 113: 81–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, M. L. & Sherman, G. D., 1953. Chemical weathering of minerals in soils. Adv. Agron. 5: 219–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, T. A. & Voigt, G. K., 1971. Biochemical weathering of calcium-bearing minerals by rhizosphere micro-organisms, and its influence on calcium accumulation in trees. Plant & Soil 35: 655–658.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leeuwen, C. G. van, 1966. A relation theoretical approach to pattern and process in vegetation. Wentia 15: 25–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leeuwen, C. G. van, 1970. Raum-zeitliche Beziehungen in der Vegetation. In: R. Tiixen (ed.), Gesellschaftsmorphologie. Symp. Ber. Int. Ver. Vegetationskunde Rinteln 1966: 62–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Londo, G.,1983. Natuurbeheer en natuurbehoud van kalkgraslanden. Publ. Nat. Hist. Gen. Limburg 33 (1/2): 9–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maarel, E. van der, 1971. Plant species diversity in relation to management. In: E. Duffey & A. S. Watt (eds.), Symp. Br. Ecol. Soc. 11: 45–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maarel, E. van der, 1980. Towards an ecological theory of nature management. Verh. Ges. Oekologie (Freising-Weihenstephan 1979 ) 8: 13–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, R. M., 1973. Stability and Complexity in Model Ecosystems. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton.

    Google Scholar 

  • McArthur, R. M. & Wilson, E. 0.,1967. The Theory of Island Biogeography. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton, S. J., 1977. Diversity and stability of ecological communities: a comment on the role of empiricism in ecology. Am. Nat. 111: 515–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton, S. J., 1979. Grazing as an optimization process: grass-ungulate relationships in the Serengeti. Am. Nat. 113: 691–703.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meijden, R. van der, Weeda, E. J., Adema, F. A. C. B. & Joncheere, G. J. de, 1983. Heukels-van der Meijden Flora van Nederland. Wolters-Noordhoff, Groningen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman, E. I., 1982. Niche separation and species diversity in terrestrial vegetation. In: E. I. Newman (ed.), The Plant Community as a Working Mechanism. Spec. Publ. Br. Ecol. Soc. 1: 61–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum, E. P., 1969. The strategy of ecosystem development. Science 164: 262–270.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Odum, E. P., 1975. Diversity as a function of energy flow. In: W. H. van Dobben & R. H. Lowe-McConnell (eds.), Unifying Concepts in Ecology, pp. 11–14. Junk, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peet, R. K.,1974. The measurement of species diversity. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 5: 285–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peet, R. K., 1978. Forest vegetation of the Colorado Front Range: patterns of species diversity. Vegetatio 37: 65–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peet, R. K., Glenn-Lewin, D. C. & Wolf, J. W., 1983. Prediction of man’s impact on plant species diversity: a challenge for vegetation science. In: W. Holzner, M. J. A. Werger & I.Ikusima (eds.), Man’s Impact on Vegetation, pp. 41–54. Junk, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rorison, I. H.,1971. The use of nutrients in the control of the floristic composition of grassland. In: E. Duffey & A. S. Watt (eds.), Symp. Br. Ecol. Soc. 11: 65–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, J. S., 1976. Structure and function of tropical grassland vegetation of India. Polish Ecol. Stud. 2 (2): 17–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa, W. P., 1979. Disturbance in marine intertidal boulder fields: the non-equilibrium maintenance of species diversity. Ecology 60: 1225–1239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swartzman, G. L. & Singh, J. S., 1974. A dynamic programming approach to optimal grazing strategies using a successional model for a tropical grassland. J. Appl. Ecol. 11: 537–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thurston, J. M., 1969. The effect of liming and fertilizers on the botanical composition of permanent grassland, and on the yield of hay. In: I. H. Rorison (ed.), Symp. Br. Ecol. Soc. 9: 3–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilman, D., 1982. Resource competition and community structure. Monographs in Population Biology 17. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toai, T. V. & Linscott, D. L., 1979. Phytotoxic effects of decaying quackgrass ( Agropyron repens) residues. Weed Science 27: 595–598.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verkaar, H. J., Schenkeveld, A. J. & Klashorst, M. P. van der, 1983. On the ecology of short-lived forbs in chalk grasslands: dispersal of seeds. New Phytol. 95: 335–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voskuilen, K. J. G.,1975. De invloed van bemesting en maaibeheer op de productie en op de vegetatiekundige samenstelling van een kalkgrasland in het Gerendal, Zuid-Limburg. Internal Report Inst. Syst. Botany, Utrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, J. M. & Elliott, L. F., 1979. Phytotoxins from anaerobically decomposing wheat straw. Soil Biol. Biochem. 11: 325–330.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wells, T. C. E., 1969. Botanical aspects of conservation management of chalk grasslands. Biol. Conserv. 2: 36–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wells, T. C. E., 1971. A comparison of the effects of sheep grazing and mechanical cutting on the structure and botanical composition of chalk grassland. In: E. Duffey & A. S. Watt (eds.), Symp. Br. Ecol. Soc. 11: 497–515.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, T. C. E., 1980. Management options for lowland grassland. In: I. H. Rorison & R. Hunt (eds.), Amenity Grassland, pp. 175–195. Wiley, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westhoff, V., 1970. Choice and management of nature reserves in the Netherlands. Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg. 41: 231–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westhoff, V., 1971. The dynamic structure of plant communities in relation to the objectives of conservation. In: E. Duffey & A. S. Watt (eds.), Symp. Br. Ecol. Soc. 11: 3–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westhoff, V., Bakker, P. A., Leeuwen, C. G. van & Voo, E. E. van der, 1970. Wilde Planten I. Ver. Behoud Natuurmonumenten, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R. H., 1965. Dominance and diversity in land plant communities. Science 147: 250–260.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R. H., 1969. Evolution of diversity in plant communities. Brookhaven Symp. Biol. 22: 178 196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R. H., 1972. Evolution and measurement of diversity. Taxon 21: 213–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R. H., 1977a. Evolution of species diversity in land communities. Evol. Biol. 10: 1–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R. H., 1977b. Animal effects on plant species diversity. In: R. Tüxen (ed.), Vegetation und Fauna. Ber. Int. Symp. Int. Ver. Vegetationskunde, Rinteln 1976: 409–425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willems, J. H., 1973. Limestone grassland vegetation in the central part of the French Jura, south of Champagnole (dept. Jura). Proc. Kon. Ned. Ac. Wet. Ser. C, 76: 231–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willems, J. H.,1978. Phytosociological and ecological notes on chalk grasslands of southern England. Vegetatio 37: 141–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willem, J. H., 1979. Experiments on the relation between species diversity and above-ground plant biomass in chalk grasslands. Acta Bot. Neerl. 28: 235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willems, J. H., 1980. An experimental approach to the study of species diversity and above-ground biomass in chalk grassland. Proc. Kon. Ned. Ac. Wet. Ser. C, 83: 279–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willems, J. H., 1982. Phytosociological and geographical survey of Mesobromion communities in Western Europe. Vegetatio 48: 227–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willems, J. H., 1983. Species composition and above-ground phytomass in chalk grassland with different management. Vegetatio 52: 171–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeevalking, H. J. & Fresco, L. F. M., 1977. Rabbit grazing and diversity in a dune area. Vegetatio 35: 193–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Ecology, University of Utrecht, Lange Nieuwstraat 106, 3512 PN, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    H. J. During & J. H. Willems

Authors
  1. H. J. During
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. H. Willems
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

R. K. Peet

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1985 Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

During, H.J., Willems, J.H. (1985). Diversity models applied to a chalk grassland. In: Peet, R.K. (eds) Plant community ecology: Papers in honor of Robert H. Whittaker. Advances in vegetation science, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5526-4_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5526-4_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8939-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5526-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation