Vegetation and soil conditions of abandoned fields often radically change in relatively short time making it difficult to characterize these sites. For that reason it is important to find parameters which combine a high indication value with an easy measuring. Eight vegetation types of three fallow fields (ten years old) and two adjacent habitats near Greifswald were distinguished using ecological-sociological species groups and their site conditions were determined. Dry-matter production, maximum height of herbs, humus and nitrogen content in the topsoil, nitrogen pool of the above-ground phytomass and various soil physical properties show a close correlation to the floristic gradient. A weaker correlation was found for the water content of the above-ground phytomass and potassium content in the topsoil. Phosphate content in the topsoil, pH value, S value, content of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in the above-ground phytomass, stock of potassium and phosphorus in the above-ground phytomass, C/N- and N/P-ratio showed no or very weak correlations with the floristic gradient, but some of these parameters correlated more strong with the grass/herbs-ratio of the vegetation and with water supply in dry periods. The nutrient parameters of the Galium aparine-Urtica dioica-Community indicate polytrophic conditions.
Archives of Nature Conservation and Landscape Research
Volume 41, 2002 - Issue 1