SHORT COMMUNICATION
Effect of Solidago Eradication Methods
on Soil Invertebrates - Preliminary Studies
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1
Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences,
Grunwaldzki Sq 24a, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
2
Department of Plant Protection, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences,
Grunwaldzki Sq 24a, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
Submission date: 2021-02-12
Final revision date: 2021-05-07
Acceptance date: 2021-06-01
Online publication date: 2021-10-20
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Corresponding author
Jacek Twardowski
Department of Plant Protection, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, pl. Grunwaldzki 24a, 50-363, Wrocław, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2022;31(1):485-492
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ABSTRACT
Evaluation of belowground impacts of methods of invasive plant eradication, especially in the
context of grassland restoration, gives information about rates of ecosystem restoration. This study
tested the hypotheses: (1) the method of seed application and plant species diversity used in grassland
restoration impacts on mesofauna communities, (2) the mowing regime influences the abundance of
soil invertebrates. A two-factorial experiment using: (1) different methods of seed introduction and
composition (sowing the seed mixture of pasture grasses, pasture grasses with legumes, seed collected
from a semi-natural meadow, and application of fresh hay), and (2) different frequencies of mowing
(once, twice and three times per year), was established during the restoration of grassland which had
been invaded by Solidago plants. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design
with four replications. The results were revealed that mowing intensity decreased the abundance of
Chilopoda and Isopoda, while the introduction of fresh hay used in grassland restoration positively
affected nematodes. Also, the biological soil quality index based on arthropods (QBS-ar) indicated a
decrease of soil biological quality in stands mown 2 and 3 times in comparison to mowing once. Further
studies are needed to investigate the soil mesofauna dynamics exposed by mowing, and plant diversity.