Mapping Dynamic Vegetation

Abstract

Vegetation is dynamic, i.e. it is involved in a continuous evolution. The rate of evolution is at its minimum in climax conditions, but in all other conditions it can range from very slow to fast. It is essential in phytocenological investigations to understand the processes involved in the evolution of vegetation, but such processes may be too slow for one man to observe during his lifetime. For this reason, authors compare various evolutionary stages and endeavor to conclude from such observations what processes are involved, their direction, and their effects. Such a procedure is, however, speculative and the results may remain debatable. Vegetation maps solve this problem especially if done with great care and accuracy and in great detail. Some time after mapping, measurable changes will have occurred and, even though a new observer may map and study the vegetation long after the first vegetation map was made, he will find it entirely feasible to compare the old and the new situations.