Vittoz Pascal
Phytosociological study of Nardus stricta grasslands on Mont Tendre, Chasseron and Creux du Van (Jura Mountains, Switzerland)
Étude phytosociologique et écologique des pelouses à nard raide (Nardus stricta L.) au Mont Tendre, au Chasseron et au Creux du Van
Project Number: CH-4956
| Project Type: |
Master |
| Project Duration: |
06/01/2011 - 08/31/2013 project completed |
| Funding Source: |
other , |
| Leading Institution: |
Université de Lausanne |
| Project Leader: |
Dr. Pascal Vittoz
Maître d'enseignement et de recherche
Institut des dynamiques de la surface terrestre, IDYST
Université de Lausanne
Géopolis
1015 Lausanne
Phone: +41 (0) 24 692 43 67 ; +41 (0) 21 692 35 30
FAX: +41 (0) 21 692 35 05
e-Mail: pascal.vittoz(at)unil.ch
http://www.unil.ch/idyst |
Research Areas:
Disciplines:
Keywords:
Nardus stricta, Jura Mountain, Creux du Van, Mont Tendre, Chasseron, oligotrophic grasslands, acid soil, fertilisation, nitrogen, grazing, pastures
Abstract:
Grasslands dominated by Nardus stricta L. are very common in the Alps, particularly in the subalpine and alpine belts. But they are much rarer in the Jura Mountains, and very restricted to isolated patches. These grasslands depend on a weak grazing and are threatened by fertilisation.
This study aimed to compare species composition on three summits of the Jura Mountains: Mont Tendre, Chasseron and Creux du Van. Moreover, recent phytosociological relevés were compared with old ones (1950-1987).
Recent relevés were divided in three groups, corresponding to the three summits. Differences in plant composition were not due to soil differences but to management, with clearly differences in nutrient availability. The temporal comparison confirmed the trend to a degradation of Nardus grasslands, with a decrease of oligotrophic and acidophilous species and an increase of eutrophic species. Mont Tendre contains the most typical Nardus grasslands. On Chasseron, some grasslands are well preserved, but many of them showed an increase in nitrophilous species. On Creux du Van were Nardus grasslands the most species poor and the most degraded.
In order to conserve this important vegetation community for Jura Mountains, it would be important to never fertlize these grasslands and to maintain only a light grazing.
Leading questions:
Composition and temporal dynamics of Nardus stricta grasslands in Jura Mountains.
Publications:
Meichtry, H. (2013). Étude phytosociologique et écologique des pelouses à nard raide (Nardus stricta L.) au Mont Tendre, au Chasseron et au Creux du Van. Non publié. Travail de Master, Universités de Neuchâtel et Lausanne. 71 p. + annexes.
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Last update: 5/18/18
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-4956
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