Evaluation of ecological measures: botanical diversity of meadows in three regions

In the framework of the evaluation of ecological measures promoted by the Swiss Government, a botanical survey was undertaken in three regions in 1997 or 1998. Plant species per 100 m2 were investigated in 88 meadows under different cultivation regimes (from extensively to intensively cultivated).<br>With mean of 15 to 27 spexies per region and type of meadow diversity was generally low. Meadows registered as ecological compensation areas showed a trend to a higher number of species. The influence of the region, however, was greater than that of the cultivation regime. In regard to biodiversity, a large number of meadows registered as ecological compensation areas could not be distinguished from more intensively cultivated ones.