The Establishment of Healthland Vegetation on Ex-Arable Land: the Response of Calluna vulgaris to Soil Acidification

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 116; no. 3; p. 409
• Main Authors: Lawson, Clare S, d, Martin A, Mitchley, Jonathan, Warren, John M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2004
• ISSN: 0006-3207

Re-establishment of lowland heathland is one of the main priorities in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Heathland establishment on former arable land has been documented, but only at sites with a short history of cultivation or low soil pH and nutrient levels. The establishment of Calluna vulgaris plants on fertile arable soil with three application rates of elemental sulfur was investigated in full factorial combination with the presence or absence of naturally regenerating arable weeds. Results showed that competition from arable weeds reduced the survival of C. vulgaris plants during initial establishment and growth. While complete removal of vegetation did not promote the conditions necessary for germination and seedling development, C. vulgaris was clearly able to establish and grow well on nutrient-rich arable soils in the absence of other species. Sulfur addition at a concentration of 0.24 kg/m super(2) was found to be beneficial to recruitment.