The effect of the timing of artificial gap formation on micro environmental conditions and seedling recruitment was studied in Molinietum caeruleae patches dominated by small meadow taxa (patch I), prevailed by tall-growing macro forbs and large-tussock grasses (patch II) and dominated by the willow-shrubs and bordered by trees (patch III). In all patches the micro environmental conditions (i.e. light availability at ground level, as well as soil moisture and temperature) differed significantly between spring, summer and autumn gaps. The number of species and seedlings observed in spring and summer gaps were quite similar and much greater than those observed in the autumn. In all patches, there were distinguished taxa occurring mostly in spring gaps, taxa colonizing chiefly summer gaps, taxa recruiting mostly in autumn gaps, as well as taxa appearing equally in all types of gaps. In light of the performed investigations, it might be concluded that gap creating during the entire growing season enables the recruitment of plants with different germination requirements and finally contributes to sustained diversity of species in Molinietum caeruleae meadows.
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