Plant niches along the water-table gradient on an ombrotrophic mire expanse

The vegetation within an ombrotrophic mire expanse m SE Norway is studied m detail Presence/absence of species and depth to the water table are recorded for 6976 plots (4x4 cm) The cumulative probability distributions along the water-table gradient are calculated for 24 species, and Inter-transect variability tested Shifts in realised depth to the water table (niche shifts) are frequent for most species It is concluded that interactions are of minor importance for species in the field layer The Sphagnum spp possess some attributes indicating equilibrium, while others indicate ongoing competition The patchy distribution of hepatics and lichens depend on chance and successional stage, and coexistence within these guilds depend on creation of new naked peat patches