Multivariate Approaches to a Limestone Grassland Community: I. A Stand Ordination

Abstract

The structure of a small limestone grassland community was investigated using an ordination technique. Variation in the community was described and interpreted by reference to a two-dimensional model, the orthogonal axes of which represent "calcicolous" and "eutrophic" gradients in stand composition. Environmental gradients in soil depth and phosphate content, respectively, were shown to be correlated with these dimensions of variation, but it was argued that gradients in soil moisture and fertility are possibly more direct or more important structural controls.