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Journal Articles Applied Vegetation Science Year : 2015

A comparative framework for broad-scale plot-based vegetation classification

Milan Chytrý
Emiliano Agrillo
Fabio Attorre
Zoltán Botta-Dukát
Jorge Capelo
  • Function : Author
Bálint Czúcz
Jürgen Dengler
Don Faber-Langendoen
  • Function : Author
Enrico Feoli
Rosario Gavilán
Florian Jansen
Borja Jiménez-Alfaro
Pavel Krestov
  • Function : Author
Flavia Landucci
  • Function : Author
Attila Lengyel
  • Function : Author
Javier Loidi
  • Function : Author
Ladislav Mucina
Robert K. Peet
  • Function : Author
David W. Roberts
  • Function : Author
Jan Roleček
  • Function : Author
Donald A. Walker
  • Function : Author
Otto Wildi
  • Function : Author
Susan K. Wiser
  • Function : Author
Sam Scheiner
  • Function : Author

Abstract

Aims: Classification of vegetation is an essential tool to describe, understand, predict and manage biodiversity. Given the multiplicity of approaches to classify vegetation, it is important to develop international consensus around a set of general guidelines and purpose-specific standard protocols. Before these goals can be achieved, however, it is necessary to identify and understand the differ- ent choices that are made during the process of classifying vegetation. This paper presents a framework to facilitate comparisons between broad-scale plot-based classification approaches. Results: Our framework is based on the distinction of four structural elements (plot record, vegetation type, consistent classification section and classification system) and two procedural elements (classification protocol and classification approach). For each element we describe essential properties that can be used for comparisons. We also review alternative choices regarding critical decisions of classification approaches; with a special focus on the procedures used to define vegetation types from plot records. We illustrate our comparative frame- work by applying it to different broad-scale classification approaches. Conclusions: Our framework will be useful for understanding and comparing plot-based vegetation classification approaches, as well as for integrating classifi- cation systems and their sections.

Dates and versions

hal-01211250 , version 1 (04-10-2015)

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Miquel de Cáceres, Milan Chytrý, Emiliano Agrillo, Fabio Attorre, Zoltán Botta-Dukát, et al.. A comparative framework for broad-scale plot-based vegetation classification. Applied Vegetation Science, 2015, 18 (4), pp.543-560. ⟨10.1111/avsc.12179⟩. ⟨hal-01211250⟩
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