The Applied Vegetation Dynamics Laboratory - Research Approaches - Experiment

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The Cavenham Study	The UK bracken control study	Selected references
Approaches - Experiment A major focus of our work is done with properly designed experiments that can be analysed using analysis of variance. Much of our work is long term, our major series of experiments have a planned life expectancy of greater than 10 years, two examples. The Cavenham study (1978-96): This was set up to investigate methods for the control of bracken and the restoration of Calluna - dominated heathland. Phase I: (1978-86) Six bracken control and two heathland restoration treatments were applied in factorial combination (n=4) Phase II: (1986-96) The four replicate blocks were reduced to two, and two further treatments applied: (a) bracken control treatment continued, (b) bracken control treatment stopped.
Cavenham Plot Layout
This work was important because it showed that: • Bracken remained on the experimental plots even after 18 years of treatment • Calluna could be established, if the bracken litter was disturbed and seed was applied But: • Calluna died in 1990, probably as a result of climatic extremes perhaps in combination with high levels of nitrogen in the rain.

Contact: Applied Vegetation Dynamics Laboratory, School of Environmental Science, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB

Direct: Professor Marrs +44 (0) 151 795 5172

Lab telephone: +44 (0) 151 795 5173

Fax:+44 (0) 151 795 5171