Wanmo Kang
Doktorande-Mail: reomi00(at)snu.ac.kr
Seoul National University
599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu
Seoul 110-799
Republic of Korea
http://www.useoul.edu/
Graduate School of Environmental Studies (Prof. Dowon Lee)
- Landscape ecology and conservation biology
Abstract: Field margins are an important component of the agro-environment as they contribute to maintaining ecosystem functions and protecting biodiversity. To our knowledge, however, little is known as to how plant community composition and diversity differ depending on type and management of field margins. We surveyed 12 field margins (4 connected intact, 4 isolated intact, and 4 isolated and treated with herbicides and mowing) and recorded the composition of herbaceous and woody vascular plants. Based on the data, the effects of connectivity, weed control management, local and landscape context on the field margin community composition were examined with relevant environmental variables at local and landscape scales using multivariate statistical techniques. The field margin plant community was clearly explained by structural connectivity of the field margin and adjacent forest. The plant composition of a field margin was strongly related to environmental variables at the local and landscape scale. Mean percent cover of the dominant plant species was significantly affected by weed control, but plant community composition was not. There were significant differences in native, exotic, woody and herbaceous richness between connected and isolated field margins. However, all communities had a similar number of nectar plants, which become an important source of ecosystem services. Our results suggest that landscape structure is more important in determining plant community composition than the management practices of field margins. Management practices may be more important in determining species dominance than species composition and richness. Thus, different management regimes are required to conserve biodiversity as well as ecosystem service provided by the nectar-rich flowers in field margins.
Keywords: agricultural intensification, plant communities, field margin type, structural connectivity, management
project description in detail from proceedings of 2011 TERRECO Science Conference GAP
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