Results of a backward stepwise analysis of maximum entropy (maxent) model using community-weighted mean trait (CWM) constraints.

<p>(a) Observed vs. predicted relative abundances of 17 macrophyte species over 42 plots using observed sixteen CWM traits. (b) Relationship between the amount of explained variance of maxent model and the number of traits used in the model. Open circles represent models that used observed CWM traits as constraints, while filled circles represent models that used fitted CWM traits as constraints. Filled circles represent models in which traits were entered into the model in the order at which they are listed from left to right, based on how well they could be predicted from water depth gradient. The numeral codes showed in this chart indicates: 1-lamina thickness, 2-floating leaf, 3-perennial growth form, 4-rooting depth, 5-stem diameter, 6-tuber, 7-leaf nitrogen content, 8-stem dry mass content, 9-leaf dry mass content, 10-ramet size, 11-leaf carbon/nitrogen ratio, 12-leaf carbon content, 13-specific leaf area, 14-shoot height, 15-flowering duration, 16-mean Julian flowering dates. General linear models of observed (c) and predicted (d) relative abundances of seven common macrophyte species presented in Erhai Lake along water depth gradient. The predicted relative abundances used here were generated with the maxent model using the seven community-weighted mean trait constraints that were best predicted from water depth gradient.