Grazing by semi‐feral cattle and horses supports plant species richness and uniqueness in grasslands

Applied Vegetation Science, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 26(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

Abstract Question How does naturalistic grazing (trophic rewilding with large herbivores), in contrast to mowing and free succession (no grazing), affect plant community composition species richness temperate grassland grazed by semi‐feral cattle horses? Location Mols Laboratory, Denmark. Methods We investigated exclosures the area of four years after its establishment. focused on moist dry vegetation, that is, excluding scrub woodland. Each experimental block consisted five 5 × 9 m plots, representing fenced treatments, summer‐only grazing, winter‐only full exclosure annual autumn passive succession. The matrix (the fifth treatment) was herbivores at close‐to‐natural densities, regulated bottom‐up carrying capacity area. Hence, even seasonal treatments were animal density. Quantitative assessed using point‐intercept method 25 cm quadrats, supplemented biomass calibration models based additional which above‐ground harvested recording material sorted weighed. Uniqueness as sum inverse range sizes for constituent (unicity). Results found an appreciably higher than under both exclosure, but only minor differences between treatments. highest year‐round lowest grazing. forb:graminoid ratio tended be high treatment, whereas associated dominance graminoids over forbs. Full‐exclosure plots had accumulation litter richness. Initial heterogeneity within blocks a systematic difference grasslands may have diluted treatment effects this early point onset experiment. Data analysis estimates derived from yielded patterns described above, when compared results obtained raw number intercepts. Conclusions Naturalistic is goal itself ecological restoration, also proposed efficient management tool promote conservation plants communities. prevalence regionally rarer (uni) or abandonment. Similarly, tendency forbs prevail translate into enhanced floral resources anthophilous insects. Summer‐only low density not significantly different much closer natural intensive summer typical agri‐environmental practices.

Язык: Английский

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Environmental Consequences of the Kakhovka H.P.P. Destruction in Ukraine: Challenge and Opportunity for International Justice

Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 04(01), С. 84 - 104

Опубликована: Июнь 10, 2024

This article provides a legal analysis of the destruction Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam that took place on June 6, 2023 in Russian-occupied Ukraine. Highlighting role Russian troops this act, authors equate its consequences to 1986 Chornobyl disaster. The dam's explosion marks severe environmental catastrophe amidst ongoing high-intensity hostilities Ukraine, threatening vast natural areas with Authors discuss broad and cross-border impacts, particularly Black Sea basin, review international conventions breached by incident. event aligns concept ecocide, term not yet fully established law, but increasingly recognized. emphasizes possibility prosecuting those responsible for extensive, long-term, damage under existing frameworks. Focusing instruments, explores grounds criminal responsibility examines jurisdictions could address including International Court Justice, Tribunal Law Sea, proposed Special Ad-Hoc Tribunal, Criminal (ICC). argue case presents ICC unique opportunity enforce norms against during hostilities, as outlined Article 8.2b (iv) Rome Statute. They conclude ICC’s involvement would be significant step proving capability war crimes involving destruction.

Язык: Английский

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Enhancing U.S. Corporate Compliance with Environmental Regulations through the Implementation of a Corporate Carbon Tax

Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 04(01), С. 130 - 167

Опубликована: Июнь 18, 2024

This article focuses on corporate contribution towards global carbon emissions and how to close existing policy gaps internalize the external costs associated with emissions. discusses implementation of a tax as calculated move increase United States companies' adherence environmental laws. Establishing monitoring systems, defining precise emission objectives, incentivizing green technology are all steps toward improving compliance and, thus, environment. The plan emphasizes flexibility, compliance, stakeholder participation address any obstacles. Incentives for sustainable practices, lower emissions, innovation in clean technology, project funding few advantages proposed price. Obstacles limitations include industrial resistance, worries about competitiveness, international cooperation requirements.

Язык: Английский

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Evolution of Biodiversity Protection in the Framework of European Common Agricultural Policy

Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 04(01), С. 105 - 129

Опубликована: Июнь 18, 2024

The Common Agricultural Policy has undergone continuous evolution over the years, moving from a narrow, production-oriented approach to an agriculture with holistic approach, in which agricultural activity is intended be treated having harmonious and sustainable utilization rational management of natural resources components nature. goal protecting biodiversity within becomes increasingly visible each successive financing period; yet its fulfilment encounters numerous difficulties, primarily due resistance Member States introducing far-reaching changes, as well environments considering indicated changes striking their interests. aim this article evaluate legal solutions adopted framework Policy, both initial period validity commencing year 2000, when focus on environmental issues became significantly more prominent. This also evaluates currently applicable financial perspective context potential for activities.

Язык: Английский

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Latitudinal gradients of biodiversity and ecosystem services in protected and non-protected oak forest areas can inform climate smart conservation

Geography and sustainability, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Окт. 1, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Vanishing meadows — Quantitative analysis of factors driving population declines of endangered butterflies

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 282, С. 110050 - 110050

Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2023

There is a growing number of alarming reports indicating serious declines in biodiversity invertebrates, mostly manifested through loss local populations and abundances, prognosing their regional extinctions. Proper defining threats crucial for the effective conservation endangered species valuable habitats. Nevertheless, while typically such are broadly recognized, long-term quantitative assessments rarely available. The aim this study was to identify quantify main drivers population dynamics habitat two butterfly genus Phengaris within an extensive semi-urban landscape with 70 initial patches. Over decades study, almost half patches remained abandoned, whereas quarter directly destroyed conversion build-up areas. latter process most harmful numbers, although it occurred only outside Natura 2000 protected sites. Besides, afforestation works, even if rare, caused significant investigated butterflies. Similarly, meadow abandonment led decrease numbers extinctions due loss. Meadows were threatened by direct human destruction. area decreased nearly 15 %, which ca. 2/3 suffered destruction built-up, especially recent years. As meadows one globally terrestrial hotspots, partially reversible, there urgent need implement conservation-oriented management remaining fragments as tool ensuring persistence these habitats communities.

Язык: Английский

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Oviposition preferences and larval survival of the marsh fritillary butterfly: The adverse impact of grazing

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 17(4), С. 642 - 650

Опубликована: Март 7, 2024

Abstract Species‐rich semi‐natural grasslands have been lost during the last century due to agricultural intensification. This has had large negative consequences for many specialised species, including grassland butterflies. To prevent further loss, management regimes in remaining must maintain habitat quality over time, and we therefore need understand preferences of species how different affect their survival. We studied egg‐laying threatened marsh fritillary butterfly relation host plant properties, microclimate (grazing) on Gotland, Sweden. Moreover, followed survival eggs larvae from 27 egg batches a period 8 months (from June 2020 March 2021) grazed ungrazed areas. found 92 total average number was 184.5. Egg‐laying probability increased with increasing size abundance, environmental variables associated warm (low grass cover, low vegetation height south‐facing edges). The that were time 203 June. Roughly 28% developed into larvae, about 17% these survived entire study period, resulting an overall 4.7% Egg higher habitats compared grazed; (post‐hibernation), there almost nine times more habitats. highlights complex ecology butterflies underscores detrimental impact intense grazing, advocating rotational grazing or mowing regimes.

Язык: Английский

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Two decades of monitoring and active conservation of the Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) in the Czech Republic

Journal of Insect Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 29(1)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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From Grasslands to Forblands: Year‐round grazing as a driver of plant diversity

Journal of Applied Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 7, 2025

Abstract Grazing by domestic herbivores is applied across Europe to combat the loss of light‐dependent, species‐rich communities due encroachment competitive woody and herbaceous plants. However, billions euros spent annually EU on grazing subsidies have failed halt species in open habitats. We hypothesized that typical agri‐environmental, seasonal fails simulate ecological effects now‐extirpated, large, wild herbivores, which coevolved with these communities. conducted a survey 30 semi‐natural sites, where was either absent, seasonal, or year‐round, spectrum abiotic conditions. recorded plant diversity cover used traits assess taxonomic functional responses. Year‐round supported higher richness forb compared no grazing. Specifically, dormant‐season (winter) pressure increased cover, superseding additional growing‐season (summer) pressure. Functional similar management types, likely trait similarity year‐round grazed sites. Our results support plays key role weakening interspecific competition among plants enabling diverse replace species‐poor grass dominance. Synthesis applications . indicate typical, may be counterproductive terms promoting diversity. found most effective strategy for conserving urge greater focus evolutionary mechanisms behind relationship between large plants, not least balance grasses forbs. advocate shift conservation strategies towards natural grazing, continued depend semi‐open, forb‐rich habitats such as grasslands, wetlands, woodlands.

Язык: Английский

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Long-term woody species dynamics following meadow abandonment in a strictly protected area

Forest Ecology and Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 592, С. 122837 - 122837

Опубликована: Май 31, 2025

Язык: Английский

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