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| This paper aims at characterizing the response of hedgerow ground flora to conversion of the surrounding fields from
conventional farming to an organic farming practice. The effect of time since conversion from conventional to organic farming
on the neighbouring hedgerow vegetation was examined by measuring selection on plant species and plant traits in the ground
flora of 57 hedgerows adjacent to agricultural fields subject to organic or conventional management. Species richness increased
significantly with time since conversion to organic farming until a maximum was reached. There were significant changes in
community weighted average trait value in seven out of fifteen plant traits, and in functional diversity in two out of three groups
of traits. In contrast to hypotheses, transition to organic farming generally selected for plant species that are less adapted to
competing for light, whereas there were no effects on life form and lifespan. When all plant traits were analyzed together in a
regression tree analysis, 31% of the variance was explained by five plant traits in the pruned tree, indicating that factors other
than farming practice have a large influence on hedgerow ground flora. | |
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