The classification of some plants subjected to disturbance factors (grazing and cutting) based on ecological strategies in Turkey

Abstract

The effect of disturbance factors such as grazing and cutting were investigated in some plants in central Black Sea Region of Turkey using Grime's CSR strategies and Ellenberg's indicator values (EIVs). Grime's CSR strategies were also determined by Pierce et al.'s (Funct Ecol 27:1002-1010, 2013) scheme because there were some inconsistencies between Grime's and Pierce et al.'s schemes. Secondary strategies in the study area found to be dominant and the dominance of secondary strategies are consistent with "intermediate disturbance hypothesis". All the EIVs were found to be significantly different in grazed vs non-ungrazed and cutted vs uncutted areas. PCA diagram showed that ungrazed and cutted areas are associated with EIVR, while grazed and uncutted plots are associated with EIVL, EIVM, EIVN and EIVT.