Modelling vegetation succession after bracken control

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 29 - 39
• Main Authors: Pakeman, R.J., Hill, M.O., Marrs, R.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1995; Elsevier; Academic Press Ltd
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; competition; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Environmental cleanup; Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities, botany, ecology, damages, economic importance; herbicide; litter; management; Parasitic plants. Weeds; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Pteridium aquilinum; seasonal dynamics; Weeds; United Kingdom; Great Britain; Europe; herbicide; competition; seasonal dynamics; litter; management; Pteridium aquilinum; Floristic composition; Weed; Litter; Germination; Pteridophyta; Vegetation succession; Herbicide; Seasonal variation; Chemical control; Interspecific competition; Seed bank; Simulation model; Filicineae
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/S0301-4797(95)90301-1

Bracken is a major weed problem in some areas of the British Isles, and large areas are being controlled. However, little is known, except in agricultural grasslands, about how the associated understorey vegetation develops after control. A process model to predict vegetation development after bracken control has been developed from existing models of bracken growth and of successional development in set-aside. Basically, species compete for that space not taken up by the bracken canopy. Litter hinders germination and also competes for space with the growing plants. The outcome of succession depends on the initial species composition, the seed bank, the type of control and the various attributes of the species present.