Relationship between spatial strategies and morphological attributes in a Uruguayan grassland: a functional approach

In a native grassland in Uruguay subjected to continuous grazing by cattle, four permanent plots of 40 x 40 cm were established. Plots were divided in to 16 x 16 cells and the presence of species was recorded seasonally during two years. The spatial dynamic of the dominant species was defined through three parameters: persistence, short-distance spread and long-distance spr ead. The association between the spatial strategies and certain morphologic al attributes that were presumed to be important to the spatial behaviour o f the species, was examined using Correspondence Analysis. Four types of spatial strategies were observed: (1) persisting over the yea r in the same cell without showing any type of mobility; (2) continuously g rowing due to the solid advancing front of ramets, persisting or not persis ting (3) in the same cells; and (4) multi-strategy with high persistence an d both high short- and long-distance spread. Among the selected attributes, the erect/prostrate habit, the capacity of vegetative propagation by means of bulbs, rhizomes or stolons, the ratio length/width of leaves and the se ason of active growth were the characteristics most closely associated with the spatial strategies.