Species diversity

Species diversity

Aims and tasks: Grassland improvement, nutrients, genetic conservation, biodiversity , grassland forage, cultural landscape, climate impacts, demonstration area, soil-water-plants, climate impact research/ClimGrass , agronomic videos, agricultural cultural heritage in Austria - GIAHS, experimental fields in Gumpenstein

Biodiversity, vegetation dynamics and nature conservation

The floristic composition of the plant population and the diversity of plant species in grasslands are primarily determined by the climate, the soil, and the type and intensity of management. Only regular, site-adapted management can maintain this high level of biodiversity.

 

 

 

The vegetation period is shaped by climatic influences and is crucial for both management measures and the biomass development of agricultural crops.

Dynamics during the growing season

As soon as the snow melts in spring and temperatures begin to rise, the winter dormancy transitions into the growing season with the greening of the meadows and pastures. The start of growth depends on the altitude gradient...
Indicator plants can be used to assess and evaluate the soil water balance, the acidity of the soil and consequently the lime requirement of grassland areas.

Plant communities and indicator plants

The individual plant species do not occur randomly next to each other in permanent grassland. Only species with similar site requirements form a plant community. The plant communities depend on the climatic conditions...
Fruit growing

It's so green!

Site-adapted permanent vegetation improves the accessibility of the orchards, the soil structure and biological activity in the soil, and is of course an important erosion control measure.