Large Niche Overlaps Among Coexisting Plant Species in a Limestone Grassland Community

In the present study measurements were made on six niche axes, including phenology of above-ground growth over a five-month growing season, together with sol depth, pH, and the levels of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil samples taken at the end of the growing season. Analysis of separation in this niche space indicates that it is insufficient to account for the coexistence of all eight species. The possibility that inappropriate or insufficient niche axes may have been chosen is recognized and discussed