Fine‐scale spatial population patterns and mobility of winter‐annual herbs in a dry grassland

摘要: . Winter annuals were mapped in a series of permanent plots located gaps an Austrian dry grassland over period 3 yr. Great differences abundance found among nine winter — Arabis auriculata, Arenaria leptoclados, Cerastium glutinosum, Erophila spathulata, Holosteum umbellatum, Hornungia petraea, Saxifraga tridactylites, Thlaspi perfoliatum and Veronica praecox –- occurring the gaps. The absolute frequency species varied considerably from year to year, while their relative proportions remained nearly constant study period. High spatial dissociation (low level coincidence) between populations was observed; this ascribed boleochory, known generate monospecific patches. No trend self-replacement found. This means that occupying place one does not necessarily mean same will be occupied following years. probability replacing another low. space could inhabited by any or remain unoccupied. We suggest distribution patterns are controlled dispersal preference for microhabitats, at least scale 20 cm × cm. It shown permutation method based on cumulative frequencies, smaller scales habitat differentiation vanishes. that, up typical range annuals, Carousel model can applied due lack coincidence (and presumably also interactions) individuals. Nevertheless, time may eliminate scale. A design improved data-sampling handling procedure developed.