Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/23.4.3672
Grassy-floral soil covering as a tool for increasing herbaceous diversity in agroforestry
Nóra SZIGET
orcid.org/0000-0003-2483-6761
; Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi), Budapest, Hungary
Judit BERÉNYI ÜVEGES
orcid.org/0000-0003-4344-3824
; Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi), Budapest, Hungary
Imre BERK
; Institute of Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation, University of Sopron, Hungary
Andrea VITY
; Institute of Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation, University of Sopron, Hungary
Abstract
Intensive agricultural technologies lead to a simplification of landscape and a decrease in biodiversity. Besides
economic benefits, alley cropping might increase species richness, improving pollination in agriculture. In this research, a
traditional apricot plantation combined with crop fields was studied in Burgenland, focused on herbaceous diversity and
species composition, which have a crucial role in promoting pollination. The vegetation of the grassy strips under the
tree rows was compared to control grass and tree plantation habitats. The results show that the loose canopy layer of
the fruit trees promotes the appearance of several herbaceous species, which results in a more diverse understory layer
compared to the control tree plantation. However, the intensity of the management significantly impacts the species
richness and composition of the understory vegetation.
Keywords
orchard; alley cropping; understorey vegetation; species richness
Hrčak ID:
288325
URI
Publication date:
21.12.2022.
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