Succession from farmland to heathland: a case for conservation of nature and historic farming methods

The succession of vascular plants was recorded in an old field during 22 years after farming ceased in 1975. The soil is poor. acid and sandy. Adjoining areas are Calluna-Empetrum heathland. During the first 2 years a few ruderal weedy species dominated completely. in years 3-5 Jasione montana and Rumex acetosella became dominant. More persistent perennials such as Hieracium pilosella and Deschampsia flexuosa slowly colonised. but after years 13-14 they decreased again. During the last 10 years Calluna vulgaris and Festuca ovina increased. Calluna vulgaris is now so abundant that the area is recognised as heathland, according to the definition in the Danish Nature Protection Act. The advantages of restoring heathland vegetation by natural succession are compared with more intensive actions. Rarer plant species than those occurring in either farmland or heathland are found, the process gives a more varied vegetation, and it is historically authentic. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.