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Management of upland calcareous grasslands for target vascular plant community impacts upon abundance but not diversity of non-target bryophytes

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Abstract

Calcareous grasslands, valued for their high species richness and diversity, are a European nature conservation priority. Their plagioclimax nature means that appropriate management is vitally important for their survival. This is usually aimed at conserving characteristic vascular plants, with less charismatic groups typically overlooked when implementing management. Consequently, evidence of impacts of contrasting management practices on a range of taxonomic groups is lacking. One such group are bryophytes which are often abundant in grasslands, contributing a substantial amount to overall plant diversity as well as being important for ecosystem processes such as carbon and nitrogen cycling. This study investigates aspects of bryophyte diversity in internationally rare upland calcareous grasslands subjected to conservation grazing which aims to conserve characteristic vascular plant communities versus those subjected to decade long cessation of grazing which are managed to promote increased structural heterogeneity across the landscape. Sampling across the range of management treatments was undertaken in June–July 2013 and 2014 where per cent cover of bryophytes was recorded in 0.5 m × 0.5 m quadrats along with sward height. Bryophyte abundance was greater in grazed grasslands than ungrazed grasslands, though there was no difference in species richness, diversity or the proportion of life history strategies between the management types. Hence the non-target group is not adversely affected by the management regime. The rarity of ungrazed calcareous grasslands in the uplands, coupled with their importance for various taxa warrants the continuation of this management practice.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Natural England, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the National Trust for their assistance in providing permission for sampling sites. Particular thanks to Rob Petley-Jones, Colin Newlands and Peter Welsh for assistance with site information.

Funding

Research was supported by Edge Hill University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, Haweswater, Naddle Farm, Bampton, CA10 2RP, Cumbr, UK

    Ashley Lyons

  2. Department for Geography and Environmental Science, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool, L16 9JD, UK

    Ashley Lyons

  3. Avian Ecology, Walnut Tree Farm, Northwich Road, Lower Stretton, WA4 4PG, UK

    Samantha Turner

  4. Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Biosciences Building, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, L39 4QP, Lancs, UK

    Paul A. Ashton

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  1. Ashley Lyons
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Correspondence to Ashley Lyons.

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Lyons, A., Turner, S. & Ashton, P.A. Management of upland calcareous grasslands for target vascular plant community impacts upon abundance but not diversity of non-target bryophytes. Biodivers Conserv 31, 1023–1036 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-022-02375-z

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