Plant species occurrence patterns in Eurasian grasslands reflect adaptation to nutrient ratios.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies of Eurasian grasslands have suggested that nutrient ratios, rather than absolute nutrient availabilities and associated productivity, may be driving plant species richness patterns. However, the underlying assumption that species occupy distinct niches along nutrient ratio gradients remains to be tested. We analysed plant community composition and nutrient status of 644 Eurasian wet grassland plots. The importance of nutrient ratios driving variation in species composition was analysed using ordination methods (DCA and CCA). Subsequently, we assessed the niche position and width along the most important nutrient ratio gradient [N:P] for each species. We found that the N:P ratio explained part of the variation in species composition independent from conventional explanatory

SUBMITTER: Roeling IS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5859057 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature