Diversity and dynamics of wet meadows [Molinietalia caeruleae, Filipendulo ulmariae-Lotetalia uliginosi) and sedge-bed marsh (Magnocaricetalia) vegetation in Kiaulyčia Botanical-zoological Preserve (Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve, Lithuania)

Abstract

The abandonment of wet meadows and sedge-bed marsh is taking place widely in Europe. These processes of vegetation dynamics are typical in all protected wetland areas of Lithuania, where, due to Soviet nature conservation practice, farming activity was prohibited. In 2011, before starting of nature management in Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve, a monitoring of vegetation dynamics initiated. Literature data and monitoring plot analysis show that the main changes occurred due to the hay meadows and sedge-bed marsh falling into neglect. Many areas were abandoned around 1965. Nature management has been started, since 2003. In our research, we tried to determine ongoing the qualitative processes of vegetation dynamics influenced by mowing.