Restoration of nutrient-poor grasslands in Southern Limburg : vegetation development and the role of soil processes = Herstel van hellingschraallanden in Zuid-Limburg : vegetatieontwikkeling en de rol van bodemprocessen

Abstract

The results of this thesis and additional results of the OBN research show that two approaches are needed to ensure optimal conservation and restoration. Firstly, the management in the reserves should be optimalized to ensure more nutrient removal. Secondly, the dispersal opportunities for species should be increased by enlarging and connecting the remaining grasslands, therefore reducing fragmentation and isolation. On the short term, sod-cutting in combination with the transfer of mown material seems to be a useful first step towards restoration on former agriculturally used grasslands. Additional research on the found repressed nitrification should reveal if this effect has a negative effect on the biodiversity in these grasslands and how this can be counterbalance