The ecology of Morecambe Bay. VI. Soils and vegetation of the salt marshes: a multivariate approach.
Abstract
Cluster analysis resulted in the recognition of (i) mature marshes characterized by a diversity of species, (ii) high-level saltings characterized by Festuca swards with either Juncus gerardii or Armeria and hummock species such as Plantag o coronopus, (iii) low-level saltings characterized by Puccinellia swards and open communities with colonizing species and (iv) pioneer zones and bare sites characterized by Spartina, Salicornia or Puccinellia present at low densities or by bare sand.