Introduction to the Application of Vegetation Maps

Abstract

Vegetation (natural as well as man-induced) is the green mantle of the earth and by that a part and building stone of the landscape. It is a land attribute also valuable in itself in its contribution to the human ecosystem by supplying food, construction materials and shelter, fuel, conservation of soil, and aesthetics in the scenery. It is also an integrated expression of all other land attributes and of the environment = ecosystem = landscape in its entiry. Therefore, the ‘green mantle’ (vegetation) can be used as an indicator of the environment in its spatial variations (patterns) and its qualities. Vegetation reacts more distinctly and quickly to temporary variation (process) than the other land attributes, in spite of the mutual interactions between these attributes. This is the reason why inventory of vegetation is useful for both scientific and practical purposes. The strong impact of man on the environment has by the same reasons an overwhelming influence on vegetation.