Grassland Restoration Drives Strong Multitrophic Biodiversity Recovery, but Climate Extremes Jeopardize Drought-Sensitive Species.

ABSTRACT: Semi-natural grasslands, Europe's most biodiverse ecosystems, are rapidly declining due to agricultural intensification, abandonment, and afforestation, leading to biodiversity loss and reduced ecosystem function. Despite their ecological value, grasslands are often overlooked, while afforestation, for instance, is prioritized for climate mitigation. This study assessed the effects of grassland abandonment, afforestation, and ecological restoration on multitrophic species richness and soil conditions. We used Estonian semi-natural calcareous grasslands (alvars) as a model system. Results showed that historically overgrown and afforested grasslands recover fast and rapidly become species-rich after woody plant removal and low-intensity grazing reinstatement. These grasslands also serve as s

SUBMITTER: Prangel E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12441997 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature