An Assessment of the Usefulness of Phytosociological and Numerical Classificatory Methods for the Community Biogeographer

Abstract

This study attempts to assess the relative merits of a number of classificatory methods suitable for examining plant/environment relationships on a local and regional scale. Braun-Blanquet's traditional phytosociological method is assessed alongside a number of numerical taxonomic methods such as associationanalysis and other clustering techniques. Each classification is evaluated in terms of the clarity of the hierarchical groups and the ease with which some rational hypotheses can be formulated concerning these groups and their environmental relationships. A procedure which can be used for these assessments is outlined and some preliminary conclusions drawn about the merits of particular classifications.