Journal article

Publication year: 2003

Pages: 281-298

Journal: Folia Geobotanica

Volume number: 38

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 0015-5551

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02803200

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
This study demonstrates how conventional ecological knowledge on species together with models resulting from functional traits can be tested and refined by tapping large data sources that have been made available through recent electronic compilations. The study is based on the comparison of three rare, closely related flood-meadow violet species, which have been supposed to have similar ecological behaviour and niche occupation. In contrast, the analysis of 335 Central European releves using different methods of numerical ordination, classification and calibration revealed distinct differences in habitat preferences between the three species. Detrended correspondence analysis ordination, and multiple-response permutation procedures and TWIN SPAN classification displayed the separation of Viola persicifolia from V. elatior and V. pumila along a moisture and base-richness gradient, while the latter two differed mostly in terms of mowing compatibility. Although the three violets are considered to be weak competitors they may be found under nutrient-poor as well as nutrient-rich site conditions. The distribution of C-S-R strategy types in releves supported the hypothesis that at more fertile sites the violets crucially depend on disturbance by management or flooding events that create gaps and weaken strong competitors, while at less productive sites they may persist for a long time even under fallow conditions. The S/R strategy is shared by all three violets. Problems and perspectives arising with the use of phytosociological databanks as a source of ecological information are discussed.

Harvard Citation style: Hölzel, N. (2003) Re-assessing the ecology of rare flood-meadow violets (Viola elatior, V-pumila and V-persicifolia) with large phytosociological data sets, Folia Geobotanica, 38(3), pp. 281-298. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02803200

APA Citation style: Hölzel, N. (2003). Re-assessing the ecology of rare flood-meadow violets (Viola elatior, V-pumila and V-persicifolia) with large phytosociological data sets. Folia Geobotanica. 38(3), 281-298. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02803200