Vegetation associations in a rare community type – coastal tallgrass prairie

摘要: The coastal prairie ecoregion is located along the northwestern plain of Gulf Mexico in North America. Because agricultural and urban development, less than 1% original 3.4 million ha this ecosystem type remains native condition, making it one most endangered ecosystems objective study was to characterize vegetation environmental relationships a relatively pristine example lowland order provide information for use conservation restoration. area small, isolated near southern boundary region. Samples were taken three parallel transects that spanned prairie. Parameters measured included species composition, elevation, soil characteristics, indications recent disturbance, above-ground biomass, light penetration through plant canopy. Fifty-four found 107 0.25-m2 plots total 96 at site. Only two non-native occurred sample plots, both which uncommon. Cluster analysis used identify six groups, primarily dominated by members Poaceae or Asteraceae. A conspicuous, natural edaphic feature presence `mima' mounds, are raised areas approximately 0.5 1 m high 5 10 across. Indicator revealed significant number largely restricted mounds these predominately upland colonizing species. Ordination performed using nonmetric, multidimensional scaling. dominant influence on composition be elevation host correlated factors including those associated with organic content. secondary group factors, consisting cations, explain additional variance among plots. Overall, contain associations now rare surrounding landscape. Within prairie, groups separated suite conditions topography. These results suggest restoration efforts will need carefully consider local topographic influences successful.