Changes in the species composition and conservation value of limestone grasslands in Northern Switzerland after 22 years of contrasting managements

According to our results, the best strategy-for achieving and maintaining a high species diversity-is a mosaic of different management types, i.e. a central part of the grassland managed traditionally, i.e. mown annually in July, and large strips at the margins mown only every second year in July or October. When mown in October, the soil has to be nutrient-poor and the site isolated from the seed rain of forest fringe species, which otherwise could become dominant and lead to a decline in species. The alternative of mowing the whole area every second year in July or annually in October (with the same restrictions for mowing in October) it is not completely satisfactory because several species may be lost in the long term.