Aims and Methods of Vegetation EcologyVegetation ecology is the study of both the structure of vegetation and vegetation systematics. This includes the investigation of species composition and the sociological interaction of species in communities. It further includes the study of community variation in the spatial or geographic sense, and the study of community development, change, and stability in the time sense. Vegetation ecology is concerned with all geographic levels of plant communities, from broad physiognomic formations in the sense of biomes (tundra, grassland, desert, etc.) to the very fine floristic patterns occurring on an area less than a square meter in size. Vegetation is very much concerned with correlations between environment and vegetation, and with the causes of community formation. |
Contents
IntroductionClarification of Concepts | 3 |
Background and Current Trends in Vegetation Ecology | 10 |
Plant Community Hypotheses | 22 |
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Acacia koa analysis applied association axis basal area biomass BRAUN-BLANQUET Bromus erectus Carex chamaephytes character species Cirsium oleraceum classification climate climax community combinations community types concept constancy correlation cover DAUBENMIRE defined density differential species distance distribution dominant dunes ecological groups ecosystem ELLENBERG epiphytes evergreen example factors Festuca floristic formation frequency geographic geophytes grass grassland habitat height hemicryptophytes herb herbaceous indices Koeleria pyramidata layer less meadow measure method minimal area mosses MUELLER-DOMBOIS munity number of individuals number of species occur ordination patterns percent phanerophytes Phragmites plant communities plant life forms plot pratensis primary succession quadrats quantitative reference stand region relevé result sample stands sampling point Scabiosa columbaria scale sclerophyllous scrub secondary succession SECTION shown shows shrubland shrubs similar soil species species composition species groups structure Subdivisions synusia TABLE tion tree species tropical undergrowth values variation vegetation vegetation ecology vegetation units woody zone