High species richness in an Estonian wooded meadow

A wooded meadow at Laelatu in western Estonia was found to be very rich in vascular plants. The maximum number of species found was 25 in a 10 cm x 10 cm plot, 42 in a 20 cm x 20 cm plot and 63 in a I m2 plot. Species richness is related to the management history of the site. The highest richness was found in sites with the most regular long-term mowing. Species density was lower in the case of fertilization or temporary cessation of mowing. The richest community had an LAI of 2.8 and an aboveground dry biomass of 175 g/m2. With increasing height of the herb layer the number of species decreases. Small disturbances cause a remarkable decrease in species density.