The effect of landscape structure on biodiversity in semi-natural grasslands of high nature value

摘要

Semi-natural grasslands are in decline due to land use changes. To conserve grassland ecosystems, agri-environmental schemes facilitate low intensity management of semi-natural grasslands of high nature value. In addition to management of the meadowsthemselves, the nature value of the hay meadows also depends upon the surrounding landscape. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of the landscape on the biological value of semi-natural hay meadows implemented in the Action Plan for Hay Meadows (APHM) in Norway. The biological value was estimated by richness of all vascular plant species and of vascular plant species associated with semi-natural grassland. Richness was high in semi-natural grasslands, particularly in hay meadows implemented in the APHM. However, the landscape context also influenced the richness of the hay meadows. Species richness increased with hay meadow area and length and edge density of semi-natural habitats types in the landscapes.