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Hung Acad Sci
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Black locust clear-cut
The role of black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia) once important for sand fixation is being reevaluated nowadays. Nature conservation issues urge for the revision and replacement of plantations of alien species by native ones. Black locust transforms the composition and abiotic conditions of the original ecosystems due to nitrogen fixing bacteria and litter accumulation, and as a result, long-term presence of ruderal vegetation is predicted after clear-cut. The restoration experiment aimed at reducing the soil nutrient content in order to assist the expansion of sand grassland species on clear-cut black locust plantations. Mowing and hay removal were applied for reducing the nitrogen content of soil and accelerating the regeneration of open sand grassland.
Our results show that the rehabilitation of sandy grasslands is a viable alternative for the nature conservation utilization of unprofitable alien black locust plantations. Mowing plays a minor role in reducing soil nitrogen, because of the rapid leaching of soil nitrogen from the upper soil layers on coarse sand, but is essential in the rehabilitation of sand grasslands as it controls shrub encroachment. Less frequent (once per year or in every two years application of mowing is suggested on the long run to avoid harmful effects to species of the target open sandy grassland. Restoration success depended on soil productivity, initial vegetation composition and landscape context in this experiment. Among these, the initial vegetation proved to be the most important factor determining microclimatic conditions and soil seed bank. However, the sourrounding landscape is also an important factor as it strongly influences the propagule availability.
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