wholx,
The dotted lines represent the 2 sigma limits of the parameter; e.g., at 25 Deg C, 98% of the devices will have a Vgs below 4.0V, and 2% of the devices will have a Vgs below 2.1V.
Gfs indirectly affects the threshold voltage in a practical circuit. For example, if the drain current in will be .1A, then you are interested in the Vgs required to conduct .1A. Since Vgs is specified at .001A, you need to determine the increase in Vgs (DeltaVgs) that is required:
Delta Vgs = (.1 - .001)/Gfs
So the net Vgs = Vgs(specified) + Delta Vgs. Since Gfs varies with both temperature (it decreases as temperature increases) and drain current (it increases with drain current), you must use the value of Vgs at the coldest operating temperature, and the lowest drain current to calculate worst case Vgs in an actual circuit.
I hope this helps,
Regards,
Kral