The results are interpreted as follows by Dray et al. (2014): “The left (negative)
part of the first RLQ axis identifies species (Poa supina, Alchemilla pentaphyllea, or
Taraxacum alpinum [Fig. 6.22b]) with higher specific leaf area (SLA) and massbased leaf nitrogen content (NMass), lower height, and a reduced seed mass
[Fig. 6.22d]. These species were mostly found in late-melting habitats [Fig. 6.22a,
c]. The right part of the axis highlights trait attributes (upright and thick leaves)
associated with convex landforms, physically disturbed and mostly early-melting
sites. Corresponding species are Sempervivum, montanum, Androsace adfinis, or
Lloydia serotina. The second RLQ axis outlined zoogenic disturbed sites located in
concave slopes. These habitats were characterized by large-leaved species (Cirsium
acaule, Geum montanum, Alchemilla vulgaris).”
d = 2
a
AR07
AR71
AR26
AR54
AR60
AR70
AR22
AR25
AR27
AR28
AR72
AR01
AR23
AR08
AR12
AR13
AR61
AR49
AR50
AR52
AR29
AR30
AR51
AR05
AR53
AR06
AR16
AR56
AR75
AR69
AR15
AR63
AR74
AR64
AR65
AR66
AR67
AR68
AR11
AR32
AR02
AR10
AR31
AR39
AR40
AR57
AR58
AR62
AR24
AR37
AR38
AR03
AR14
AR19
AR20
AR36
AR42
AR44
AR34
AR35
AR46
AR47
AR48
AR41
AR43
AR45
AR21
AR73
AR04
AR09
AR17
AR18
AR33
AR55
AR59
d = 2
b
Agro.rupe
Alop.alpi
Anth.nipp
Heli.sede Aven.vers
Care.rosa
Care.foet
Care.parv
Care.rupe
Care.semp
Fest.laev
Fest.quad
Fest.viol
Kobr.myos
Luzu.lute
Poa.alpi
Poa.supi
Sesl.caer
Alch.pent
Alch.glau
Alch.vulg
Andr.brig
Ante.carp
Ante.dioi
Arni.mont
Aste.alpi
Bart.alpi
Camp.sche
Card.alpi
Cera.stri
Cera.cera
Leuc.alpi
Cirs.acau
Drab.aizo Drya.octo
Erig.unif
Gent.camp
Gent.acau
Gent.vern
Geum.mont
Omal.supi
Andr.vita
Hier.pili
Homo.alpi
Leon.pyre
Ligu.muto
Lloy.sero
Minu.sedo
Minu.vern
Phyt.orbi
Plan.alpi Poly.vivi
Pote.aure
Pote.cran
Pote.gran
Puls.vern
Ranu.kuep
Sagi.glab
Sali.herb
Sali.reti
Sali.retu
Sali.serp
Saxi.pani
Sedu.alpe
Semp.mont
Sene.inca
Sibb.proc
Sile.acau
Thym.poly
Vero.alpi
Vero.alli
Vero.bell
Myos.alpe
Tara.alpi
Scab.luci
Anth.alpe
Oxyt.camp
Oxyt.lapp
Lotu.alpi
Trif.alpi
Trif.badi
Trif.thal
d = 0.5
c
Aspect
Slope
Form.1
Form.2
Form.3
Form.4
Form.5
PhysD
ZoogD.no
ZoogD.some
ZoogD.high
Snow
d = 0.5
d
Height
Spread
Angle
Area
Thick
SLA
N_mass
Seed
Fig. 6.22 Results of the RLQ analysis of the alpine plant communities: (a) site (L) scores, (b)
species (Q) scores, (c) environmental variables and (d) species traits
6.11 Relating Species Traits and Environment
293
part of the first RLQ axis identifies species (Poa supina, Alchemilla pentaphyllea, or
Taraxacum alpinum [Fig. 6.22b]) with higher specific leaf area (SLA) and massbased leaf nitrogen content (NMass), lower height, and a reduced seed mass
[Fig. 6.22d]. These species were mostly found in late-melting habitats [Fig. 6.22a,
c]. The right part of the axis highlights trait attributes (upright and thick leaves)
associated with convex landforms, physically disturbed and mostly early-melting
sites. Corresponding species are Sempervivum, montanum, Androsace adfinis, or
Lloydia serotina. The second RLQ axis outlined zoogenic disturbed sites located in
concave slopes. These habitats were characterized by large-leaved species (Cirsium
acaule, Geum montanum, Alchemilla vulgaris).”
d = 2
a
AR07
AR71
AR26
AR54
AR60
AR70
AR22
AR25
AR27
AR28
AR72
AR01
AR23
AR08
AR12
AR13
AR61
AR49
AR50
AR52
AR29
AR30
AR51
AR05
AR53
AR06
AR16
AR56
AR75
AR69
AR15
AR63
AR74
AR64
AR65
AR66
AR67
AR68
AR11
AR32
AR02
AR10
AR31
AR39
AR40
AR57
AR58
AR62
AR24
AR37
AR38
AR03
AR14
AR19
AR20
AR36
AR42
AR44
AR34
AR35
AR46
AR47
AR48
AR41
AR43
AR45
AR21
AR73
AR04
AR09
AR17
AR18
AR33
AR55
AR59
d = 2
b
Agro.rupe
Alop.alpi
Anth.nipp
Heli.sede Aven.vers
Care.rosa
Care.foet
Care.parv
Care.rupe
Care.semp
Fest.laev
Fest.quad
Fest.viol
Kobr.myos
Luzu.lute
Poa.alpi
Poa.supi
Sesl.caer
Alch.pent
Alch.glau
Alch.vulg
Andr.brig
Ante.carp
Ante.dioi
Arni.mont
Aste.alpi
Bart.alpi
Camp.sche
Card.alpi
Cera.stri
Cera.cera
Leuc.alpi
Cirs.acau
Drab.aizo Drya.octo
Erig.unif
Gent.camp
Gent.acau
Gent.vern
Geum.mont
Omal.supi
Andr.vita
Hier.pili
Homo.alpi
Leon.pyre
Ligu.muto
Lloy.sero
Minu.sedo
Minu.vern
Phyt.orbi
Plan.alpi Poly.vivi
Pote.aure
Pote.cran
Pote.gran
Puls.vern
Ranu.kuep
Sagi.glab
Sali.herb
Sali.reti
Sali.retu
Sali.serp
Saxi.pani
Sedu.alpe
Semp.mont
Sene.inca
Sibb.proc
Sile.acau
Thym.poly
Vero.alpi
Vero.alli
Vero.bell
Myos.alpe
Tara.alpi
Scab.luci
Anth.alpe
Oxyt.camp
Oxyt.lapp
Lotu.alpi
Trif.alpi
Trif.badi
Trif.thal
d = 0.5
c
Aspect
Slope
Form.1
Form.2
Form.3
Form.4
Form.5
PhysD
ZoogD.no
ZoogD.some
ZoogD.high
Snow
d = 0.5
d
Height
Spread
Angle
Area
Thick
SLA
N_mass
Seed
Fig. 6.22 Results of the RLQ analysis of the alpine plant communities: (a) site (L) scores, (b)
species (Q) scores, (c) environmental variables and (d) species traits
6.11 Relating Species Traits and Environment
293