Abstract
Two methods for estimating ecological amplitudes of species with respect to Ellenberg's moisture scale are discussed, one based on weighted averaging and the other on maximum likelihood. Both methods are applied to phytosociological data from the province of Noord-Brabant (The Netherlands), and estimate the range of occurrence of species to be about 4–6 units on the moisture scale. Due to the implicit nature of Ellenberg's definition of moisture, it is impossible to improve the indicator values in a statistically sound way on the basis of floristic data only. The internal consistency of the Ellenberg indicator values is checked by using Gaussian logit regression. For 45 out of the 240 species studied the indicator value is inconsistent with those of the other species. The same method is used to estimate the optima and amplitudes of species considered moisture-indifferent and of some species not mentioned by Ellenberg. Some of these ‘indifferent’ species show a remarkably narrow amplitude.
It is concluded that the Ellenberg indicator values for moisture form a reasonably consistent system.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Böcker R., Kowarik I. & Bornkamm R., 1983. Untersuchungen zur Anwendung der Zeigerwerte nach Ellenberg. Verh. Ges. Ökol. 9: 35–56.
Clausman P. H. M. A., 1980. Ecologische interpretatie van vegetatieopnamen m.b.v. een computer. WLO-Meded. 7: 92–98.
Durwen K.-J., 1982. Zur Nutzung von Zeigerwerten und artspezifischen Merkmalen der Gefäszpflanzen Mitteleuropas für Zwecke der Landschaftsökologie und-planung mit Hilfe der EDV-Voraussetzungen, Instrumentarien, Methoden und Möglichkeiten. Arbeitsber. Lehrst. Landschaftsökol. Münster 5: 1–138.
Ellenberg, H., 1979. Zeigerwerte der Gefäszpflanzen Mitteleuropas. 2nd ed., Scripta Geobotanica 9, Göttingen.
Ellenberg H., 1983. Vegetation Mitteleuropas mit den Alpen in ökologischer Sicht. 3rd ed., Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart.
Gremmen N. J. M., Reijnen M. J. S. M., Wiertz J. & VanWirdum G., 1985. Modelling for the effects of ground-water withdrawal on the species composition of the vegetation in the Pleistocene areas of The Netherlands. In. Ann. Rep. 1984. Research Institute for Nature Management, Arnhem, pp 89–111.
Hill M. O. & Gauch H. G., 1980. Detrended correspondence analysis: an improved ordination technique. Vegetatio 42: 47–58.
Persson S., 1981. Ecological indicator values as an aid in the interpretation of ordination diagrams. J. Ecol. 69: 71–84.
Reijnen M. J. S. M. & Wiertz J., 1984. Grondwater en vegetatie: een nieuw systeem voor kartering en effectvoorspelling. (Engl. Summary) Landschap 1: 261–281.
Smeets P. J. A. M., Werger M. J. A. & Tevonderen H. A. J., 1980. Vegetation changes in a moist grassland under altered water conditions. Biol. Conserv. 18: 123–142.
Ter Braak C. J. F. & Barendregt L. G., 1986. Weighted averaging of species indicator values: its efficiency in environmental calibration. Math. Biosci. 78: 57–72.
Ter Braak C. J. F. & Looman C. W. M., 1986. Weighted averaging, logistic regression and the Gaussian response model. Vegetatio 65: 3–11.
Whittaker R. H., 1956. Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains. Ecol. Monogr. 26: 1–80.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Nomenclature follows Heukels-Van der Meijden (1983), Flora van Nederland, 20th ed.
We would like to thank M. J. S. M. Reijnen and J. Wiertz for the discussions that gave us the idea for this research. We are grateful to J. de Bree, C. Hengeveld and the referees for comments on the manuscript. Part of this research was supported by the Commissie Grondwaterwet Waterleidingbedrijven, the Keuringsinstituut van Waterleidingartikelen, the Landinrichtingsdienst, Staatsbosbeheer, and the Ministerie van Volkshuisvesting, Ruimtelijke Ordening en Milieubeheer.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ter Braak, C.J.F., Gremmen, N.J.M. Ecological amplitudes of plant species and the internal consistency of Ellenberg's indicator values for moisture. Vegetatio 69, 79–87 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00038689
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00038689