Abstract
Over a period of 15 years recordings were made of the species cover in permanent plots on the salt marsh of one of the West Frisian Islands, Schiermonnikoog (The Netherlands). Correlations between annual changes in the cover of the major species, and fluctuations in the monthly frequency of inundation by seawater were studied. First, a spectral analysis was carried out on the inundation frequency data to look for predictable patterns. Subsequently, fluctuations were defined as deviations from these predictable patterns. In a repeated multiple regression model, the effects of the season in which the fluctuations occurred, and the elevational position of the plots on the salt marsh were studied as factors influencing the correlation patterns. The behaviour of various species is discussed in relation to their seed bank characteristics and their salt tolerance.
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Olff, H., Bakker, J.P. & Fresco, L.F.M. The effect of fluctuations in tidal inundation frequency on a salt-marsh vegetation. Vegetatio 78, 13–19 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045634
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045634