*3.1. Floristic Typology*

We grouped the vegetation relevés of the first growth in three plant communities (see Appendix A) plus the VU dominated by *Rumex obtusifolius*. In both growths, VUs of a *Lolium perenne*-community and a *Alopecurus pratensis*-community could be found. In the first growth, we also identified a *Bromus hordeaceus* community. No dominant stands of this community could be found in the second growth. Common species of *Arrhenatheretalia* occur in all VUs (Appendix A, other species). Species groups highlighted in Appendix A were used to differentiate the individual VUs and to show phenological differences between the growths. Appendix B shows the VUs with their mean forage value and EIV. All values for both M, R, and N are in the moderate range (5–7).

#### *3.2. Phenological Change in Species Spectrum*

The influence of phenology is indicated by the shifting species spectrum of the species groups between the two growths and the percentage frequency of individual species (Appendix A). Although *Holcus lanatus* was found over the entire study site in the first growth, it was suppressed by other species such as *Alopecurus pratensis* or *Lolium perenne* in the second growth. During the first growth, the *Bromus hordeaceus*-community was present in some subareas, but in the second growth *Bromus hordeaceus* was only found sporadically in areas of the *Alopecurus pratensis*-community. Other grasses, such as *Phalaris arundinacea* or *Cynosurus cristatus*, were more abundant in the second growth. The flowering spectrum of the study site also changes with the seasons, following the phenological phases. In the first growth, all three plant communities showed a prominent flowering aspect with *Taraxacum officinale*, *Cerastium fontanum*, *Ranunculus repens*, and *Cardamine pratensis*. In the first growth, flowers of *Trifolium repens*, *Veronica chamaedrys*, and *Ajuga reptans* appeared in the *Lolium perenne*-community and in the *Alopecurus pratensis*-community some *Lychnis flos-cuculi*. In the second growth, the flowering aspect of the *Lolium perenne*-community was dominated by *Centaurea jacea*, *Trifolium repens* and *Crepis biennis* (species group *D*3), whereas the *Alopecurus pratensis*-community showed barely any flowering plants. Not only the flowering aspect of the herbs but also the flowering of the grasses was a relevant feature differentiating the two growths. Mowing in the first growth took place during the flowering of *Holcus lanatus*, *Poa pratensis*, and *Poa trivialis*, and their flowering aspect is therefore prominent. In the second growth, barely any flowering grasses were present; flowering *Phleum pratense*, *Cynosurus cristatus* and *Agrostis capillaris* were found sporadically, but not, or only weakly, visible in the orthomosaics.
