Vegetation ordination of subalpine meadows using adaptive strategies

Abstract

The vegetation of subalpine meadows was investigated by several multivariate analytical methods. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) revealed overall patterns of vegetation response to environmental gradients and identified many indicator species. Binary discriminant analysis confirmed these interpretations and identified indicator species with more clarity than did DCA. A plant strategy ordination was developed from a morphological index of competitiveness and from a relative growth rate index. Results converge to these conclusions: (i) the strategy ordination was consistent with habitat types and DCA; (ii) the degree of species niche differentiation within a community varied with productivity and disturbance; (iii) morphological and physiological niche differentiation is least in productive sedge meadows and greatest in mesic grasslands where production and disturbance are moderate. The adaptation spectra of species in a community provide useful insights about site conditions, history, and response to manipulations.