Abstract
Northern Europe is in the forest zone, but wild megaherbivores have maintained grass-dominated
vegetation here for the last 1.8 million years. Continuity of the grassland biome through glacialinterglacial
cycles and connection to steppe vegetation has resulted in the evolution, immigration, and
survival of a large number of grassland species. During the last millennia the effect of wild ungulates has
been replaced by domestic grazers and hay making, and the persistence of grassland biodiversity depends
on livestock farming. Local diversity is the outcome of colonisations and extinctions. Colonisations can
be enhanced by maintaining networks of grasslands where species can migrate between sites, and by
proper management that promotes establishment of new individuals. Extinction risk may be lowered in
large grasslands, which may support large populations, and by proper management that promotes
coexistence of species. Extinctions are accelerated by changes in environmental conditions favouring
a few competitively superior plant species, especially increase in soil fertility. During the last century,
natural grasslands in Europe have faced a dramatic loss of area and increased isolation of the remaining
fragments, cessation of proper management, and increased load of nutrients. To achieve successful
grassland biodiversity conservation there needs to be close cooperation between conservation managers
and livestock farmers. For that, grassland management should take into account evolutionary and
ecological rules behind the grassland biodiversity.
vegetation here for the last 1.8 million years. Continuity of the grassland biome through glacialinterglacial
cycles and connection to steppe vegetation has resulted in the evolution, immigration, and
survival of a large number of grassland species. During the last millennia the effect of wild ungulates has
been replaced by domestic grazers and hay making, and the persistence of grassland biodiversity depends
on livestock farming. Local diversity is the outcome of colonisations and extinctions. Colonisations can
be enhanced by maintaining networks of grasslands where species can migrate between sites, and by
proper management that promotes establishment of new individuals. Extinction risk may be lowered in
large grasslands, which may support large populations, and by proper management that promotes
coexistence of species. Extinctions are accelerated by changes in environmental conditions favouring
a few competitively superior plant species, especially increase in soil fertility. During the last century,
natural grasslands in Europe have faced a dramatic loss of area and increased isolation of the remaining
fragments, cessation of proper management, and increased load of nutrients. To achieve successful
grassland biodiversity conservation there needs to be close cooperation between conservation managers
and livestock farmers. For that, grassland management should take into account evolutionary and
ecological rules behind the grassland biodiversity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Grassland Science in Europe |
| Publisher | Grassland Science in Europe |
| Pages | 1-14 |
| Volume | 10 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9985-9611-3-7 |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Publication series
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Volume | 10 |
Bibliographical note
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.The record was previously connected to the following departments: Plant Ecology and Systematics (Closed 2011) (011004000)
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Ecology