Factors affecting wild plant communities occupying short rotation coppice crops on farmland in the UK and Eire.

Abstract

Short rotation coppice (SRC) willow and poplar crops may provide new opportunities for wild plants on farmland. The species composition and relative abundance of the existing plant communities at 29 SRC sites were assessed. From these data, plant communities characteristic of certain SRC plot types were identified using TWINSPAN. Species were also categorised into one of three classes based on their main establishment strategy for general interpretation. A few SRC plots were completely devoid of other plants, while some supported a complete ground cover. Over 129 different species were recorded. Communities differed between SRC plots on ex-cropland in east and central Britain and on ex-grassland in west Britain and Ireland. The age of establishment was also an important determining factor indicating that a stable situation has not been achieved in SRC plantations. The trend however was towards a more stable and diverse community with fewer annuals and invasive perennials and more slower growing perennials.