Table 1 Overview of the emergent groups (EGs) as defined in Helsen et al. [39]

1

Megaphanerophytes

Long lived, shade-tolerant species, early flowering, wind pollinators, large seeds, transient seed bank, allogamous, anemo- and dysochores. Species of nutrient rich soils

2

Forest/shrub species

Long lived, shade-tolerant herbaceous and woody (understory) species, insect pollinated, transient seed bank, mixed mating system, few and heavy seeds, dysochores, large leaves. Species of nutrient rich soils, shade tolerant

3

Orchids

Many, small seeds, mycorrhiza-dependent

4

Small grassland herbs

Allogamous, shade intolerant, small herbs, autochores and zoochores, nitrogen fixators, semi-rosette species, specialists

5

Large herbs and grasses

Semi-rosette species, late flowering, large seeds, large species, large leaves, hemero- and zoochores, competitives. Species of nutrient rich soils

6

Sedges and shallow soil specialists

Mixed mating system, long seedbank longevity, small and light seeds, auto- and anemochores, mycorrhiza-independent

7

Annuals

Early flowering, autogamous, short-lived, small seeds and plants, zoochores, ruderals