Wildflower Strip Establishment for the Delivery of Ecosystem Services in Sweet Cherry Orchards

Mateos-Fierro, Zeus, Garratt, M., Fountain, M., Ashbrook, Kate and Westbury, Duncan B (2018) Wildflower Strip Establishment for the Delivery of Ecosystem Services in Sweet Cherry Orchards. Aspects of Applied Biology: Ecosystem and Habitat Management: Research, Policy, Practice, 139. pp. 179-186. ISSN 0265-1491

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Official URL: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.555...

Abstract

The practice of introducing wildflower habitats in cropped areas is an approach that can be used to enhance ecosystem services. The value of such an approach will be affected by the establishment success of the sown species. To investigate this, 12 strips of wildflower habitat were established in alleyways between rows of cherry trees at three sites in the West Midlands (UK). The establishment of plants in sown strips was compared to six untreated alleyways that received conventional management. Eight forb species and one grass species was sown in strips measuring 1 m × 95 m. The establishment success of the sown species and their contribution to the vegetation of the alleyway was determined using percentage cover assessments in replicate quadrats. Dactylis glomerata, Leucanthemum vulgare, Prunella vulgaris and Lotus corniculatus established most consistently and with greater cover values in the sown strips. However, the sown strips were also associated with a greater abundance of unsown species, some of which are classed as weeds.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Conference proceedings: Aspects of Applied Biology: Ecosystem and Habitat Management: Research, Policy, Practice", University of Worcester, Worcester, UK, 27-28 March 2018.
Keywords:	establishment success, occurrence, percentage cover, quadrat sampling, unsown wildflowers, West Midlands
Depositing User:	Professor Duncan Westbury
Date Deposited:	22 Apr 2024 08:14
Last Modified:	01 May 2024 12:24
URI:	https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/16611

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