| Abstract [eng] |
In September 2024, vegetation surveys were conducted in the Pagilutė wetland complex (a Natura 2000 site in northeastern Lithuania) to assess the impact of cattle grazing on wet meadow vegetation. The aim was to evaluate changes in plant biodiversity and functional community composition under grazing. Vegetation surveys employed the Braun–Blanquet method along two transects (ten 1 m² quadrats each) comparing a meadow grazed by cattle for one year and an adjacent ungrazed meadow. Species richness and diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener H′ and Pielou’s J′) were calculated, and plant functional groups were analyzed by CSR strategy and Raunkiaer life-form categories. Grazing markedly enhanced biodiversity: 44 vascular plant species were recorded in the grazed plot versus only 9 in the ungrazed plot. Species diversity was significantly higher under grazing (mean H′ = 3.25 ± 0.14) than without grazing (H′ = 1.08 ± 0.26), and community evenness also increased (J′ = 0.78 vs 0.64). Grazing suppressed the dominance of tall competitive reeds (Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia), resulting in a more balanced, forb-rich community. Functional composition shifted with grazing: stress-tolerant species comprised ~54% of total cover and ruderals ~16%, whereas ungrazed vegetation was dominated by competitor strategists (~42% cover) with minimal ruderals or stress-tolerators. Likewise, life-form spectra changed under grazing: hemicryptophyte cover increased from 66% (ungrazed) to 79% (grazed), therophytes rose from 1% to 13%, and geophytes dropped from 32% to 3%. These results demonstrate that moderate cattle grazing can significantly enhance plant species richness and diversity in wet meadows and alter community functional structure, leading to a more heterogeneous plant community. Overall, the findings support controlled grazing as a beneficial management practice for conserving species-rich wet meadow vegetation in protected Natura 2000 sites. |
