Abstract
In order to characterize the canopy structure of different grassland types 50 stands, representing 15 syntaxonomically distinct types, were examined by harvesting the standing crop during the main flowering period. The types differ in water and nutrient conditions and vary largely in aboveground phytomass (0.5–23 t·ha−1) and Leaf Area Index (0.4–21: bifacial). Living aboveground phytomass and canopy structure are almost entirely determined by phanerogams. The graminoids generally dominate over the forbs. Variation in aboveground phytomass is related to foliage characteristics such as Aboveground Leaf Area Ratio, Specific Foliage Weight and Leaf Area Development. A PCA with these canopy variables and the variables canopy height, phytomass density and the phytomass ratios stem-leaf-inflorescence shows a clear arrangement related to aboveground phytomass and LAI. The grassland stands can be divided into four groups of different productivity levels for which various combinations of canopy variables are characteristic. Leaf size and leaf inclination are also used for characterization of the different grasslands. Ordinations with these variables by means of PCA and CCA resemble partly to those computed with the canopy variables of aboveground phytomass and LAI. Small leaf sizes are characteristic for low productive grasslands, while the largest leaves occur in high productive grasslands, although they mostly do not belong to the species contributing most strongly to the phytomass of the stand. The leaf inclinations erect and erecto-patent are most common in each grassland. Horizontal leaf areas occur less frequent, but they are relatively well presented in some high productive grasslands. Ranges in leaf size vary more than ranges in leaf inclination do for this series of grasslands. However, leaf size and leaf inclination are useful variables for characterization of grassland canopies in a hierarchical way, where phytomass and leaf area are the first criteria for such a characterization.
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Nomenclature of species follows Heukels-van Ooststroom (1977), Flora van Nederland, 19th ed., Groningen.
The research was financially supported by a grant (14.75.18) of the Foundation for Fundamental Biological Research (BION) in The Netherlands. This is kindly acknowledged. I am much indebted to prof. Marinus J. A. Werger for encouraging discussions and for critical remarks on the manuscript. Various students helped with data collecting: I thank Ghislaine Coenegracht, Nellie Spies, José van de ven, Wil Allebes and Hans Bexkens. I am grateful to the Division of geobotany, Catholic University of Nijmegen for working facilities.
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Fliervoet, L.M. Characterization of the canopy structure of Dutch grasslands. Vegetatio 70, 105–117 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041476
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041476