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Mowing as a sand dune restoration tool
Mowing can simulate grazing and aid the removal of course grasses and scrub
from overgrown dune grassland. Experiments in Jersey provide an important indication
of the way in which it can help reduce competition for rare and sensitive species,
such as annuals, and help create swards suitable for invasion by rabbits (Anderson
& Romeril 1992). It also obviates the need for expensive fencing
(required when grazing animals are introduced) and stock management. When applied
to relatively small areas it can be effective as for example in the Voorne dunes
in Holland where regular mowing of a dune slack helped retain a species-rich
community (Boorman 1977).
By comparison with grazing mowing is not as effective in maintaining short
species-rich swards typical of calcareous dunes for two main reasons:
- It is non-selective and all species are 'grazed' to the same height at the
same time;
- The cut material remains in situ, providing a potential source of eutrophication.
Comment: The use of the tool at Braunton
Burrows, Ainsdale
and Kenfig
Dunes has also met with only limited success. Mowing has a number of other
advantages and disadvantages when applied to heathland
management which may be applicable to dune heath.
References
Anderson, P. & Romeril, M.G.
1992.
Mowing experiments to restore a species-rich sward on sand dunes in Jersey, Channel Islands, GB.
In: Coastal Dunes. Geomorphology, Ecology and Management: Proceedings of the Third European Dune Congres, eds.Carter, R.W.G., Curtis, T.G.F. & Sheehy-Skeffington, M.J.A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 219-234.
Abstract...
Boorman, L.A.
1977.
Sand dunes.
In: The Coastline, ed.Barnes, R.S.K.John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 161-197.
Abstract...
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