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Plant species numbe...
Plant species number predicted by a topography based groundwater-flow index
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- Zinko, Ursula (author)
- Umeå universitet,Ekologi och geovetenskap
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Seibert, Jan (author)
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- Dynesius, Mats (author)
- Umeå universitet,Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och geovetenskap
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- Nilsson, Christer (author)
- Umeå universitet,Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och geovetenskap
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(creator_code:org_t)
- New York, N.Y. Springer, 2005
- 2005
- English.
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In: Ecosystems (New York. Print). - New York, N.Y. : Springer. - 1432-9840 .- 1435-0629. ; 8:4, s. 430-441
- Related links:
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https://urn.kb.se/re...
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https://doi.org/10.1...
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Abstract
Subject headings
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- The lack of a clear understanding of the factors governing the often-great variation of species numbers over entire landscapes confounds attempts to manage biodiversity. We hypothesized that in a topographically variable boreal forest landscape the availability of shallow groundwater is a major determinant of plant species numbers. We then developed a topographically derived hydrologic index based on multidirectional flow algorithms to account for the variation in availability of such groundwater in the landscape. We found a positive correlation between species numbers of vascular plants in plots ranging from 0.01 to 200 m2 and the hydrologic index. Generally, the landscape was relatively dry and species-poor, but interspersed patches with shallow groundwater had high species numbers and high proportions of regionally uncommon plant species. The index explained 30% of the variation in vascular plant number and correlated quite well (rs = 0.50) with groundwater level, but not as well with a community H+concentration value (instead of community pH, rs = −0.31), based on species composition. In addition, we found a very strong correlation between species number and the community H+ concentration value (rs−0.84). The hydrologic index is a useful tool for the identification of spatial of species number patterns across entire landscapes. This is an important step in identifying the areas most in need of protection or restoration, designing survey techniques, and understanding the fundamental processes that control the spatial distribution of species.
Subject headings
- NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)
- NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)
Keyword
- species richness
- wetness index
- boreal forest
- vascular plants
- slope
- nestedness
- scale dependence
Publication and Content Type
- ref (subject category)
- art (subject category)
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