Effects of fertilization on the vascular ground vegetation of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Lieb.) stands

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of base cation (Ca, Mg, K) and phosphorous (P) fertilization on the vascular ground vegetation in mature European beech and sessile oak stands located on acid brown soils. Two types of treatment were applied next to control plots (dolomite lime, dolomite lime + natural phosphate + potassium sulphate). Specific richness, total cover (%), equitability coefficient as well as the Ecological Group of the ground vegetation were studied. Four years after dolomite application, new N-demanding and ruderal species appeared and increased the specific richness. The natural phosphate application combined with potassium sulphate positively influenced the emergence of new mesotrophic plant species. In the beech stands the total cover tended to increase while in the oak stand the equitability coefficient decreased. The specific richness of the initial acidophilous vegetation remained unchanged but the total cover decreased. Differences between the response of the ground vegetation in the oak and the beech stands were attributed to a difference in stand density.