Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(5):338-352 | DOI: 10.17221/12/2025-PSE

Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazingOriginal Paper

Marie Mrázková-Štýbnarová1,2, Michaela Kolářová3, Radek Štencl4, Prokop Šmirous2, Marie Bjelková5, Josef Holec3, Martin Vašinka1, Luděk Tyšer3, Oldřich Látal1
1 Agrovýzkum Rapotín Ltd., Šumperk, Czech Republic
2 Agritec Plant Research Ltd., Šumperk, Czech Republic
3 Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
4 Administration of Protected Landscape Area Jeseníky Mountains, Jeseník, Czech Republic
5 Agritec, Research, Breeding and Services, Ltd., Šumperk, Czech Republic

The species diversity of the unique flora in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains is currently threatened due to the absence of traditional grazing, which was historically used as a management practice. This study evaluates changes in floristic composition in areas near the Švýcárna and Ovčárna lodges, where cattle and sheep grazing was reintroduced in 2012 and 2014, respectively, after long-term abandonment. The floristic composition was assessed using permanent plots and analysed statistically. In total, 84 plant species were recorded in the Švýcárna experimental area over 12 years. All experimental plots throughout the study observed an increase in species richness. In the Ovčárna area, a similar trend was detected, particularly in grazed grasslands dominated by Avenella flexuosa, Festuca supina, and Ligusticum mutellina. The reintroduction of grazing in these areas serves not only as a symbolic return to traditional land use but primarily as an effective management tool to suppress ecological succession and maintain or enhance plant species diversity in biologically valuable habitats.

Keywords: nature conservation; biodiversity; livestock; revitalisation; grazing management

Received: January 8, 2025; Revised: May 5, 2025; Accepted: May 6, 2025; Prepublished online: May 26, 2025; Published: May 29, 2025  Show citation

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Mrázková-Štýbnarová M, Kolářová M, Štencl R, Šmirous P, Bjelková M, Holec J, et al.. Revitalising subalpine grasslands: floristic shifts under renewed grazing. Plant Soil Environ. 2025;71(5):338-352. doi: 10.17221/12/2025-PSE.
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