Ecological differentiation of Carex species coexisting in a wet meadow: Comparison of pot and field experiments

Competitive exclusion is to be expected between phylogenetically similar species that share traits and resources. However, may overcome this, either through differentiation of their responses biotic abiotic conditions, or by trait differentiation, thus enabling coexistence. We identified differences in phenotypic seven coexisting Carex competition fertilization pot experiments, before using long-term field experiments generate the mowing illustrate temporal variability species. Finally, we assessed how effective results experiment were at predicting field. In found responded more than fertilization. Notably, all showed these factors experiments. Fertilization decreased root:shoot ratio, whilst growth-related characteristics such as total biomass, irrespective Differences among only clonal response competition, namely rhizome production generation rate new ramets. These findings support idea different growth strategies facilitate niche partitioning Species measured from poor predictors experiment. Nevertheless, confirmed prediction that, over time, with lower rates stable biomass suggest dynamics ability avoid competitive exclusion,