Vergleichende Analyse von Bergwiesen des deutschen und tschechischen Osterzgebirges - Bewirtschaftung, Vegetationszusammensetzung und -struktur

Richert, E., Achtziger, R., Pollakis, J., Richter, F.: Comparative analysis of mountain meadows of the German and Czech Ore Mountains – management, vegetation composition and structure. – Hercynia N. F. 48 (2015): 137 – 158. On each side of the border between Germany and the Czech Republic in the Ore Mountains, mountain meadows are typical and from the viewpoint of nature conservation valuable biotopes. The aim of this study was to compare the national agri-environmental programs and conservation measures as well as the vegetation of mountain meadows between the two countries. For this purpose, the implemented measures as well as the species composition and vegetation structure of 24 mountain meadows in the eastern Ore Mountains in each country were analysed and compared. Depending on the presence of species typical for Nardetalia communities (matgrass swards), three types of mountain meadows of the alliance Polygono-Trisetion were identified for both countries which differed significantly in terms of soil reaction, nutrient availability and mowing tolerance. Due to differences in historical management after World War II, the mountain meadows showed country-specific floristic differences. Although the Czech catalogue allows more combinations of management measures, most of all mountain meadows studied were mown after 15 th of July. There were very few fallows in both countries, whereas mulched meadows were recorded only in the Czech Republic, which seems to result in a higher litter accumulation. Whereas tall-growing nutrient indicator plants were found especially in fallows, many small, low nutrient indicators were recorded solely in managed meadows. No country-specific differences could be shown for spatial vegetation structure. Despite differing national agri-environmental programs and measurement catalogues, the mountain meadows of the German and Czech Ore Mountains were managed in a comparable way. Key words: conservation measures, mountain meadows, management, national agri-environmental programs