Can tissue element concentration patterns at the individual species level indicate the factors underlying vegetation gradients in wetlands?

Compared to the community level measurements, element concentrations in individual species correlated less with the observed vegetation gradients. Trends found at the species level may indicate changes in ecological conditions affecting the species though they need not correspond with the trends found at the community level. We conclude that the species-level approach cannot substitute, but can advance the community-level approach in searching for mechanisms underlying vegetation gradients within wetlands.