Multi-species competition experiments with peatland bryophytes

摘要

QuestionSpecies interactions are one of the processes determining composition of plant communities. We used the community density series method to study competition in a multi-species community of bryophytes common in calcareous fens. The succession of mires is driven by Sphagnum species, which are supposedly superior to brown mosses in competition for resources and space, but little is known about the environmental conditions in which brown mosses can prevail when subject to neighbour interactions. How are interactions among peatland bryophytes affected by the environment?