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CSR ECOLOGICAL ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES OF EIGHT ORNAMENTAL PERENNIAL GRASSES
Abstract
Grouping plants by functional traits provides valuable ecological insights and supports the creation of resilient perennial assemblages for urban landscapes. The ecological strategies (CSR) of eight ornamental grasses were assessed using key leaf traits, including leaf area (LA), leaf fresh weight (LFW), and leaf dry weight (LDW). Based on these measurements, additional leaf-level indices were calculated, such as the leaf succulence index (LSI), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and specific leaf area (SLA). The StrateFy tool was employed to estimate the relative contributions of competitive (C), stress-tolerant (S), and ruderal (R) strategies (%) using LA, LFW, and LDW as input parameters. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools were also employed to assist in the interpretation of the results. Results indicated that stress-tolerant (S) and stress-tolerant-competitive (CS) strategies predominated among the studied species, reflecting adaptations to moderately resource-limited and low-disturbance environments. Hierarchical clustering of functional leaf traits (LA, LDMC, SLA, LMA), visualized through a dendrogram, revealed distinct species groups reflecting different levels of structural investment and adaptive strategies.
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