@article{Tarmi:231368,
      recid = {231368},
      author = {Tarmi, Sanna and Hyvönen, Terho},
      title = {Plant Species Diversity and Composition of Plant  Communities in Buffer Zones with Variable Management  Regimes},
      journal = {Sustainable Agriculture Research},
      address = {2012},
      number = {526-2016-37833},
      year = {2012},
      abstract = {Field boundaries with permanent vegetation cover are a key  habitat for farmland biodiversity. Buffer zones are wide  field boundaries established to prevent nutrient leaching  and erosion into waterways and serve as habitats for  farmland wildlife. Our main hypothesis was that several  years of grazing or cutting management results in greater  plant species richness and heterogeneity in buffer zones in  comparison with sites managed for only a few years. We also  hypothesized that litter cover and soil phosphorus (P)  level would decrease after several years of management, in  comparison sites with relatively few years of management.  Through this study we aimed to gain a better understanding  of how to increase biodiversity in buffer zones. The study  included 15 buffer zones within a single landscape. Mean  species richness was significantly higher in the group of  sites grazed over several years (21 species) in contrast to  extensively cut sites (14.8 species) and/or grazed sites  (18 species). Species heterogeneity did not respond to  different management regimes. Management, slope aspect and  litter were significant explanatory factors for species  composition. The amount of soil phosphorus measured at  three different depths was significantly lower in the  buffer zones managed by cutting or grazing for a few years  in contrast to those that were grazed for several years.  Management that positively affected species diversity did  not result in the expected decrease in soil phosphorus.  Therefore, we propose that the greater species richness at  grazed sites results mainly from disturbances caused by  grazing.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/231368},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.231368},
}