Evolution of the vegetation of mown field margins over their first 3 years

During the first three successional years, species diversity of sown and unsown communities converged in time, irrespective of mowing regime or location. The decrease in species diversity, number and density of sown wildflowers was more pronounced under a mowing regime without removal of cuttings. The annual addition of mown roadside herbage significantly enhanced species-richness, but not the importance of dicotyledons.