Objectifying thematic, spatial and temporal aspects of vegetation mapping for monitoring

Abstract

Ad hoc decisions during fieldwork reduce the accuracy and reliability of vegetation maps. A method is proposed to objectify vegetation (thematic aspects) mapping (spatial aspects) for monitoring (temporal aspects). The most accurate and reliable description of the vegetation is a list of all plant species found within a plot. Therefore, the proposed method is an interpolation of a spatially representative sample of permanent plots combined with aerial photo interpretation. The method is objective because surveyors do not have to make decisions during fieldwork based on their personal judgement. Moreover, it is flexible, because the classification and interpolation methods can be adapted to specific views or needs depending on the aim of a study. The method was applied to an area in the north of the Netherlands in 1998. A sampling design with a density of 1 plot/ha was used, and interpolated with a perpendicular bisector. In 2002, the number of plots/ha was doubled. The influence of sample density on the m...