Nature Management by Grazing and Cutting

' This volume can be recommended for its detailed ecological approach to management, and more importantly, for the attitude that it conveys concerning the conservation and active management of semi-natural species-rich plant communities for their own intrinsic value. ' S. Collins in Quarterly Review of Biology, vol. 65, June 1990

• One: Introduction.- The need for nature management.- I Introduction.- II Research approach and methods.- Two: Land Use Dynamics.- From agricultural practices to nature management.- III The Drenthe Plateau.- IV The Schiermonnikoog salt marsh.- Three: Vegetation Dynamics.- Restoration management creates species-richer plant communities: three cases.- V The heathland and reclaimed grassland vegetation.- VI The valley grassland vegetation.- VII The salt marsh vegetation.- Four: Ecosystem Dynamics.- Causes of observed changes: mineral removal/increasing soil salinity or structure of the sward?.- VIII Grazing.- IX Cutting regimes.- X Changing soil conditions and stand structure as causes of floristic changes: conclusions and synthesis.- Five: Population Dynamics.- Where do the new species come from?.- XI Seed dispersal and seed bank.- XII Re-introduction of seeds.- Six: Management.- Evaluation of the obtained knowledge.- XIII Management.- Summary.- References.