Figure 1. Species richness (A) and disturbance values (B) along a grazing intensity gradient. The letters in the plots denote significant differences [generalised linear mixed-effect model GLMM), estimated mean ± SE and least significant differences]. The detailed explanation of grazing intensity levels 1 to 5, see Table 3.
Figure 2. The link between the green biomass and species richness (estimated mean ± SE). Circles denote the samples collected on site. ‘+’ signs denote the centroids of the samples originating from the same sample site and intensity. Colours and symbols denote the intensity levels of grazing as follows: Intensity 1: green circles, 2: blue triangles, 3: orange diamonds, 4: red rectangles, and 5: lilac stars, second order polynomial fit with 95% confidence interval is displayed (p<0.001, R2 = 0.143).
Figure 3. Green biomass + litter (A), green biomass (B), litter (C), and moss + lichen (D) (g, 20×20 cm sample) along the gradient of grazing intensity. The letters in the plots denote significant differences [generalised linear mixed-effect model (GLMM), estimated mean ± SE and least significant differences].
Figure 4. Biomass of perennial forbs (A), perennial graminoids (B), short-lived forbs (C), and short-lived graminoids (D) (g, 20×20 cm sample) along the gradient of grazing intensity. The letters in the plots denote significant differences [generalised linear mixed-effect model (GLMM), estimated mean ± SE and least significant differences]
Figure 5. Relationship between species composition, humus contents, and level of disturbance (CWM of SBT categories). For Canonical Correspondence Analysis, the biomass weights by species were used. Eigenvalues were 0.617 and 0.504 for the first and second axis, respectively. Cumulative percentage variance of species-environment relation was 82.2 for the first four axes. Numbers denote the sites (see Table 1) and their colours denote the intensity levels of grazing (1: green, 2: blue, 3: orange, 4: red, and 5: lilac). Eight-letter codes are consisted of the first four letters of genus name and the first four letters of species name. Full name of species with the codes are the followings: ACHICOLL (Achillea collina ); AGROSTOL (Agrostis stolonifera ); ANTHODOR (Anthoxanthum odoratum ); ASPECYNA (Asperula cynanchica ); CAREHIRT (Carex hirta ); CAREPRAE (Carex praecox ); CARESTEN (Carex stenophylla ); CARESUPI (Carex supina ); CENTAREN (Centaurea arenaria ); CERAVULG (Cerastium vulgare ); CHONJUNC (Chondrilla juncea ); CORYCANE (Corynephorus canescens ); ERYNCAMP (Eryngium campestre ); EUPHCYPA (Euphorbia cyparissias ); GALIVERU (Galium verum ); HIERPILO (Hieracium pilosella ); HYPEPERF (Hypericum perforatum ); HYPORADI (Hypochoeris radicata ); MEDIFALC (Medicago falcata ); PLANLANC (Plantago lanceolata ); POTEAREN (Potentilla arenaria ); POTEARGE (Potentilla argentea ); RUMEACES (Rumex acetosella ); RUMEACET (Rumex acetosa ); SILEOTIT (Silene otites ); TARAERYT (Taraxacum sect. Erythrosperma ); TARARUDE (Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia ); THYMGLAB (Thymus glabrescens ); TRIFREPE (Trifolium repens ); VEROPROS (Veronica prostrata ).