Distributional patterns of vascular plants in Fennoscandia: a numerical approach

• Published in: Nordic Journal of Botany
• Main Author: Pedersen, Bård
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1990
• Subjects: Plant Science; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Norway; Fennoscandia
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-1051.1990.tb01765.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1756-1051.1990.tb01765.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1756-1051.1990.tb01765.x

The distribution of 725 species and 4 subspecies of vascular plants in 522 grid squares of 50×50 km within Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden was analysed by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and two‐way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Two phytogeographical gradients were recognized: a major gradient running both latitudinally and altitudinally, from southern and lowland areas to northern and mountain districts, and from southerly distributed species to alpine and northerly distributed species, and a secondary gradient running from eastern districts and easterly distributed species to western districts and westerly distributed species. The results are in agreement with previous recognized phytogeographical patterns within the considered area. Possible ecological and historical causes for these patterns are briefly discussed.