Spatial Variation in Process and Pattern in Salt Marsh Plant Communities in Eastern North America

摘要: While we have learned a great deal about the structure and organization of salt marsh plant communities in past two decades, this understanding is based on experimental studies conducted at just handful study sites. How general are these results how far can extrapolate from them to understand other systems? In paper, argue that zonation eastern North American may be strongly influenced by both eutrophication climate, spatial variation factors limit our ability uncritically generalize between marshes. The striking has been explained product competitively superior plants dominating physically mild habitats displacing subordinate harsh habitats. At higher latitudes, typically dominant monopolizing high elevations while limited lower elevations. Recent studies, however, suggested nutrient supply thermal stress influence simple scenario. Increased availability, typical consequence eutrophication, alleviate below ground competition for nutrients lead above light dictating competitive dominance among plants. systems historically limited, hierarchies major shifts patterns. Similarly, climate important, but largely unrecognized effects community organization. cool temperate marshes, low soil salinities result salinity playing only minor role maintaining distributional contrast, hotter climates accumulation, elevated salinities, patterns driven We suggest current oversimplified, processes creating vary importance Systematic will necessary provide forces influencing structure.