Abstract
In order to delimit algal communities in saltmarshes it is necessary to establish the criteria for elementary units. In this situation the dominance criterion was preferred to the floristic criterion. In literature the term consocion (Du Rietz, 1930, 1932) was available for elementary vegetation units. Elemen- tary units with several characters (mainly the mode of growth) in common were classified into comprehensive units, for which the term formation was chosen. Elementary units occur in a mosaic arrangement. These mosaics are constant combinations of consocions. A term for such constant combinations was pro- vided by Westhoff (1951): community complexes. It is possible to classify the community complexes into comprehensive units, based on the constant occur- rence of the same formations in groups of community complexes: formation complexes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
