The phenomenon of sharp boundaries between distinctive vegetation types occurring under the same climatic conditions has often been interpreted by plant ecologists to characterise alternative stable states (ASS). The phenomenon may be relevant in explaining two strikingly different vegetation formations (broad‐leaved nonspiny Combretum and fine‐leaved spiny Acacia) co‐occurring in mesic savannah of southeastern Kenya. We hypothesise that the two vegetation within southeastern Kenya ecosystems represent ASS whose transition may be a response to soil characteristics switch. To explore our hypothesis, we analysed empirical field data of woody species and soil characteristics from 57 plots that included 25 from Combretum and 32 from Acacia vegetation formations. We compared floristic composition and soil characteristics between the two systems and correlated edaphic statuses and vegetation states. We encountered 2,749 woody plant individuals, representing 115 species, 87 genera and 40 families. We found that the two vegetation had discrete woody species composition and soil characteristics, and also a significant species–edaphic association. The results are consistent with the ASS theory demonstrating that soil characteristics are among the important micro‐environmental filters driving and maintaining woody vegetation mosaics in the tropics. Importantly, understanding ASS has ramifications for sustainable utilisation of woody plant resources in East African savannahs.

中文翻译：

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肯尼亚中型大草原的其他稳定植被组合的特征

植物生态学家常常解释说，在相同的气候条件下，不同植被类型之间存在尖锐的界线现象，以表征其他稳定状态（ASS）。所述现象可能是用于说明2个显着不同的植被地层相关（阔叶nonspiny风车子和细阔叶多刺相思）在肯尼亚东南部梅西奇大草原共现的。我们假设肯尼亚东南生态系统内的两个植被代表ASS，其过渡可能是对土壤特征转换的响应。为了探索我们的假设，我们分析了57个样地的木本物种和土壤特征的实地数据，其中25个来自Combretum，32个来自相思。植被形成。我们比较了两个系统之间的植物区系组成和土壤特征，以及相关的土壤状态和植被状态。我们遇到了2749个木本植物个体，代表115种，87属和40个科。我们发现这两种植被具有离散的木本物种组成和土壤特征，并且还具有显着的物种与土壤的联系。结果与ASS理论相一致，ASS理论表明土壤特性是驱动和维持热带地区木本植被镶嵌的重要微环境过滤器之一。重要的是，了解ASS对东非大草原的木本植物资源的可持续利用有影响。