Effects of herbaceous plant functional groups on the dynamics and structure of an alpine lichen heath: the results of a removal experiment

@article{Elumeeva2018EffectsOH,
  title={Effects of herbaceous plant functional groups on the dynamics and structure of an alpine lichen heath: the results of a removal experiment},
  author={Tatiana G. Elumeeva and A. A. Aksenova and Vladimir G. Onipchenko and Marinus J. A. Werger},
  journal={Plant Ecology},
  year={2018},
  volume={219},
  pages={1435-1447}
}
Alpine lichen heaths are polydominant, low-productive communities where lichens and, at some localities, the dwarf shrub Vaccinium vitis-idaea prevail. To analyse the role of herbaceous dominants in the structure of alpine heaths, we established a removal experiment. We tested (1) whether dominant graminoids and forbs differ in their effects on species richness, phytomass, and abundance of individual species; and (2) which remaining species are able to replace the removed dominants. Permanent… 
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