The effects of fertilization on part of the Keen of Hamar Serpentine, Shetland
- 1 January 1987
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Transactions of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh
- Vol. 45 (2) , 97-105
- https://doi.org/10.1080/03746608708685419
Abstract
Winter feeding of stock has caused eutrophication of the lower part of the Keen of Hamar. A nutrient addition experiment is reported which shows that grass cover of the serpentine debris increased greatly following phosphorus fertilization. Long-term observations have shown a substantial increase in grass cover over c. 35% of the lower part of the Keen and in one limited area the complete elimination of a rare species. It is suggested that the effects of eutrophication are likely to persist indefinitely and that it poses a major threat to this habitat and its rare plant species, although it seems that the site could be restored by removal of newly accumulated soil.Keywords
This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
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