Fine‐scale hydrological niche segregation in coastal dune slacks

Questions Hydrological niche segregation is widespread and has been found across a range of different habitats. Different plant species can occupy distinct hydrological niches, as result fine-scale variability in hydrology structure communities. However, these patterns may not be clear habitats where differences are more short-lived, such coastal dune slacks. We explored the extent that regime structures slack Location Ainsdale Coastal Sand Dune National Nature Reserve, UK. Methods Six hundred quadrats were surveyed, 100 each six Water table levels recorded monthly slack. Metrics summarising calculated adjusted for quadrat based on elevation. tested relationship between water depth, communities topography within Results Half (three) slacks showed significant influence community composition. The three did ones varied least topographically contained less diverse also provide indirect evidence by modelling species-specific responses mean depth probability presence. Conclusions demonstrate dominant driver composition always structured hydrology, demonstrating complexity vegetation patterns. Topographic variation appears to impact patterns, do successional processes, highlighting need create restoration management.