Composition and diversity of the weed flora influenced by arable management in a large-scaled agricultural landscape in North-East Germany

Abstract: Species richness and species composition of weed vegetation were surveyed in a large-scaled agricultural region in north-eastern Germany. Species numbers and coverage was determined in 100 m² plots not treated with herbicides in 156 arable fields. Farmers were interviewed about their management strategies. Linear and multiple linear regressions were used to determine the impact of selected management factors on species richness. We found significant positive correlations between species richness and the crop type as well as crop type in the previous year. If set-aside was included in the previous years, species numbers were reduced. Multivariate analysis showed the influence of crop type on the species composition. In conclusion, crop type was the most influential management factor in our study.