Vegetation Cartography Research Articles

Updating knowledge of vegetation belts on a complex oceanic island after 20 years under the effect of climate change

Climate change is causing major changes in terrestrial ecosystems and biomes around the world. This is particularly concerning in oceanic islands, considered reservoirs of biodiversity, even more in those with a significant altitudinal gradient and high complexity in the vegetation they potentially harbour. Here, in Tenerife (Canary Islands), we have evaluated the changes in potential vegetation belts during the last 20 years by comparing them with a previous study. Considering the intimate linkage between vegetation and climate, we used a methodology based on phytosociological knowledge, ordination techniques and geostatistics, using multivariate spatial interpolations of bioclimatic data. This has allowed us to spatially detect the variations experienced by eight vegetation units during the last 20 years and incorporating a set of vulnerability metrics. New bioclimatic and vegetation cartography are provided according to the current scenario studied (1990–2019). Our results indicate that summit vegetation, humid laurel forest and thermo-sclerophyllous woodland are the habitats that have experienced a very high area loss and mismatch index, strong changes, if we consider that we are only comparing a period of 20 years. Simultaneously, the more xeric vegetation belts, the dry laurel forest and the pine forest would have benefited from this new warmer and drier climate, by gaining area and experiencing strong upward movements. These changes have not been spatially uniform, indicating that the elevational gradient studied not explain completely our results, showing the influence of the complex island topography. Effective landscape management should consider current remnants, transition capacity and movement limitations to better understand current and future vegetation responses in a global change context.

Юбилей «Геоботанического картографирования»: некоторые итоги

The journal “Geobotanical mapping” presents the main stages and directions of the vegetation cartography development in Russia (USSR) and abroad over the past 60 years. The 1960–1980s were a period of some theoretical generalizations, the development of new types of maps initiated by the V. B. Sochava’s botanical cartographic school in Irkutsk. Since the late 1980s up to the present thematic mapping has been actively improved due to implementation of GIS technologies, automatic interpretation of remote sensing data, and usage of high-resolution space spectral images. The main directions of the vegetation mapping published in the “Geobotanical mapping” journal at the beginning of XXI century are: 1) global and regional differentiation of vegetation cover, macrostructures, evolutionary constructions; 2) vegetation dynamics, predictive mapping; 3) ecological and phytoecological mapping, ecoregions; 4) large-scale inventory and assessment mapping; 5) spatial structure of vegetation cover, typology of territorial units; 6) mapping as the basis for geobotanical zoning; 7) mapping of habitats and biotopes. The vegetation map organizes the information that is needed for mapping — data on vegetation classification; ecology of vegetation, the distribution of plant communities, their types, dominant’s coverage, vertical and horizontal structure of communities. The map is suitable for further cartometric and morphometric analysis and obtaining map information that was not explicitly included in the mapping process. The cartometric indicators such as size, shape, length of the perimeter of contours, areal ratio of various types etc. require their carefully tested interpretation from the standpoint of knowledge of processes and phenomena in vegetation. The vegetation map is not only the final result of vegetation study, it is a reason to organize scientific branches of geobotany — vegetation classification, dynamics, structure — into a certain sequence. Geobotanical mapping raises the question of correspondence of two basic concepts of vegetation science — the plant community and the vegetation cover continuum. The study of characteristics of vegetation cover structures, geobotanical zoning units helps us to the study of vegetation continuum, and the categories of common species, differentiating species and some others can be implemented.

Вопросы картографирования растительности на конференции «Российская геоботаника: итоги и перспективы» (к 100-летию отдела геоботаники БИН)

On 26–30 of September 2022, the Komarov Botanical Institute hosted the conference “Russian Geobotany: Results and Prospects” (on the 100th anniversary of the Komarov Botanical Institute Geobotany Department). 123 participants from 25 cities of Russia as well as colleagues from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Vietnam attended the conference. The work of the conference was held in three directions: “Diversity and protection of vegetation”, “Structure and dynamics of plant communities”, “Geography and cartography of vegetation”. 23 presentations were given in the section “Geography and Cartography of Vegetation”, 10 reports only focused on vegetation mapping. Various methodological aspects related to vegetation mapping were discussed: practical significance of cartographic works, for example, assessment of the stability of forest fires, the degree of disturbance, the conservation value of plant communities and habitats, the dynamic state of plant communities; the application of automated methods for interpretation of space images, the use of remote sensing techniques for mapping, etc. The colleagues got very good opportunities to share their experiences on vegetation mapping.

Merged phytosociological and geographical approach for multiple scale vegetation mapping as a baseline for public environmental policy in Mexico

AbstractQuestionsWhat is the potential use of maps derived from a merged geographical and phytosociological approach to support the design of public environmental policies? Do these approaches and data sources deliver complementary land‐cover/vegetation maps?ObjectiveThe present article documents a joint phytosociological and geographical approach to improve vegetation cartography in temperate‐tropical transitional ecosystems.LocationThe research was conducted at national (Mexico) and state (Michoacán) scales. Mexico and Michoacán have been recognized as regions of high eco‐geographical complexity, where temperate‐tropical conditions intermingle, creating large eco‐socio‐cultural mosaics.MethodsData from 268 field verification sites and 223 relevés surveyed during the last two decades and recent land cover sources were used as the main inputs. The results were further validated by three workshops with local botanists and field verification during 2021.ResultsAt the national level, Mexico's forests, shrubs, herbs, and non‐vascular major formation classes were hierarchically split by dominant life forms and prevailing climatic affiliations. At the state level, these major formation classes split into 19 sub‐formations, of which 15 were forest communities.ConclusionsWe discuss the scientific challenge of transitioning from land cover into vegetation maps and (dis)similarities of approaches reviewing concepts and analytical (quanti)qualitative instruments. The paper contrasts the present output with the experiences of other countries such as Canada, the United States, Bolivia, and Colombia. Finally, the results are discussed in light of their relevance for constructing public environmental policies, such as land use planning, establishment of protected areas, allocation of incentives for sustainable environmental services, and long‐term conservation practices.

Habitat changes over 45 years on the small Mediterranean archipelago of the Medes Islands (Catalonia, NE Spain)

The small islands in the Mediterranean basin play an important role in its diversity because they have very unique natural habitats. They are very vulnerable to the direct and indirect effects of human activity, which severely impact ecosystems. Our study analysed the dynamics of the vegetation over recent years on one small island in an attempt to understand how the vegetation is changing and whether this is impacting the habitat diversity. The study was conducted on the Meda Gran, the largest island in the Medes Islands archipelago, which is located to the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. A diachronic analysis was performed using the current vegetation cartography and a map published in 1984. Two dynamics were identified: the ruderalization caused by the overpopulated seagull colony and the natural succession of the vegetation. These processes have led to a loss of habitats on the island, such as the Astragalus tragacantha habitat, or on the contrary, the growth of populations of invasive species such as Opuntia ficus-indica. These patterns highlight the vulnerability of these small islands and the need for effective management to conserve these protected natural areas and their habitats.

Temporal Indices of Landscape Change: A Proposal to Measure Variations in the Conservation Status of Vegetation at Fine Resolution

The goal of this study was to propose scientific and objective indices capable of measuring the changes that occur in the conservation status of the vegetation of a particular area over a period of time. To this end, phytosociologically-based vegetation cartography at a detailed scale was used, carried out at two different times, and the distance from the climax stage of the territory was calculated for each time. Three temporal indices of landscape change are proposed: Conservation Status Variation Index (ConSVI), Conservation Status Variation Velocity Index (ConSVVe) and Change Ratio (ChanRat). These enable the intensity, velocity, and percentage of change to be measured, and to determine whether this change is progressive or regressive—in other words, whether it is approaching or receding from the climax. To test the proposal, it was applied to a territory in Northwest Spain. The proposed indices are universally applicable to any territory and are the first of their kind to operate at a detailed scale with a phytosociological basis. They also enable an objective measurement to be made of the landscape change that has occurred, meaning that they have immense practical utility in studies of managing and planning territorial resources.

Vegetation species mapping in a coastal-dune ecosystem using high resolution satellite imagery

Vegetation mapping is a priority when managing natural protected areas. In this context, very high resolution satellite remote sensing data can be fundamental in providing accurate vegetation cartography at species level. In this work, a complete processing methodology has been developed and validated in a complex vulnerable coastal-dune ecosystem. Specifically, the analysis has been carried out using WorldView-2 imagery, which offers spatial and spectral resolutions. A thorough assessment of 5 atmospheric correction models has been performed using real reflectance measures from a field radiometry campaign. To select the classification methodology, different strategies have been evaluated, including additional spectral (23 vegetation indices) and spatial (4 texture parameters) information to the multispectral bands. Likewise, the application of linear unmixing techniques has been tested and abundance maps of each plant species have been generated using the library of spectral signatures recorded during the campaign. After the analysis conducted, a new methodology has been proposed based on the use of the 6S atmospheric model and the Support Vector Machine classification algorithm applied to a combination of different spectral and spatial input data. Specifically, an overall accuracy of 88,03% was achieved combining the corrected multispectral bands plus a vegetation index (MSAVI2) and texture information (variance of the first principal component). Furthermore, the methodology has been validated by photointerpretation and 3 plant species achieve significant accuracy: Tamarix canariensis (94,9%), Juncus acutus (85,7%) and Launaea arborescens (62,4%). Finally, the classified procedure comparing maps for different seasons has also shown robustness to changes in the phenological state of the vegetation.

Cartographic Procedure for the Analysis of Aeolian Erosion Hazard in Natural Parks (Central System, Spain)

AbstractCartographic analysis of the hazard of erosion is a useful tool for the planning and management of natural parks, helping to establish measures for protection and correction. Such parks, which offer spectacular landscape views and natural beauty, must be conserved with all their resources. Accordingly, park managers must have the cartographic tools for hazard planning, which is necessary for the rational and sustainable handling of human activities and the establishment of preventive and corrective measures. The present work describes a cartographic procedure using GIS that determines the risk of aeolian erosion. The method was applied to two protected natural parks in the central mountain system in Spain. This cartographic method revealed a weak risk of hazard of erosion in low‐lying areas or valley floors, with increasing risk in areas of deflation. These areas were explored by mapping geomorphological domains and slopes, characterising different surficial deposits: colluvium, piedmonts, debris cone, alluvial fans and river terraces. Aeolian erosion on cultivated surfaces with gentle slopes was observed to be low, but in sectors with little agricultural activity and undulated reliefs, the hazard of erosion is important owing to the high analytical and textural erodibility and scant vegetation cover of these sectors. These parameters were studied on the basis of the mapping of soils and soil profiles. Additionally, the cartography of vegetation and the wind index in the cartographic procedure allowed for the different degrees of aeolian erosion to be better quantified. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Support Vector Machine for Multifrequency SAR Polarimetric Data Classification

The objective of this paper is twofold: first, to assess the potential of radar data for tropical vegetation cartography and, second, to evaluate the contribution of different polarimetric indicators that can be derived from a fully polarimetric data set. Because of its ability to take numerous and heterogeneous parameters into account, such as the various polarimetric indicators under consideration, a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm is used in the classification step. The contribution of the different polarimetric indicators is estimated through a greedy forward and backward method. Results have been assessed with AIRSAR polarimetric data polarimetric data acquired over a dense tropical environment. The results are compared to those obtained with the standard Wishart approach, for single frequency and multifrequency bands. It is shown that, when radar data do not satisfy the Wishart distribution, the SVM algorithm performs much better than the Wishart approach, when applied to an optimized set of polarimetric indicators.

The application of vegetation cartography and database to the management and conservation of the biodiversity: an approach from the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula

The vegetation cartography is a tool with an enormous potential for the management and conservation of biodiversity. Within the framework of an Andalusian project, we have carried out an accurate cartography (scale 1:10.000) of the flora and vegetation of 300.000 ha of the province of Almería. Due to the heterogeneity of this large area, the collected data allow us to do a quantitative assessment of the territory and determinate which are the richest patches from different points of view. The results emphasise that the semiarid lowlands and the Murciano—Almerienses territories are as rich and diverse than the Baetic sierras. The seasonal rivers are significant biodiversity reserves as well as the littoral dunes. The endangered flora tends to occur in the peaks of Sierra de Gádor, the Eastern coast, the gypsum outcrops and the subsaline marls of the sub—deserts of Almería. Lately, the holm oaks vegetation series are the most natural ones and those with higher vegetation cover. All these results must be guidelines in the management politics of natural protected areas and future SCIs in order to stop the current biodiversity loss in Almería.

Картография растительности и фитоэкологическое картографирование в Лаборатории биологии растительности Альп Гренобльского университета, Франция

Vegetation cartography is one of the biological disciplines which achieved an outstanding success in the second half of the 20th century. French vegetation cartography appreciably contributed to the development of this field of science. A perceptible share in this contribution belongs to the Laboratory of vegetation biology of the J. Fourier University in Grenoble (now the Laboratory of alpine ecosystems). In the paper different stages of the development of cartographic investigations are considered along with the methodical and theoretical problems and the applied aspects of vegetation mapping. The basic statements of the author are as follows: the map is not a final result of investigation but a tool for analysis of environment, it provides the basis for applied aspects of ecology. During 25 years the thematic edition «Documents de Cartographie Ecologique» was being published that had been devoted to the problems of vegetation cartography and of ecological mapping of the Alps and other mountain systems. This edition is really a data bank. In conclusion the author emphasized that the modern development of thematic mapping depends not only on the technic progress but first of all on the methodological progress which initiates new concepts as a result of intellectual efforts.

Проблемы картографического изучения организации растительности Сибири

The works by V. B. Sochava have laid the foundation of the system geographical-historical approach to vegetation study, determined the features of vegetation cartography in Siberia. The profound intensification of cartographic works in Siberia began in seventies. At that period, ahead of the others, V. B. Sochava raised the problem of ecologyzation of geographic investigations and among them vegetation cartography. Thus he stimulated the development of ecological-geobotanical (phytoecological) mapping. In the eighties the estimation-prognosis mapping started to develope that enhanced the demands to the universal geobotanical map. At the present time in Siberia the cartographical-geobotanical investigations are conducting in the frame of numerous regional and local ecological problems and first of all those related to the concept of stable development of the Baikal region adopted at the UNO conference in 1992. The vegetation map published in Baikal Atlas is an example of such new survey-inquiry mapping, the same are the vegetation map and the estimation map of vegetation disturbances of the Irkutsk District. In the above map, in contrast to previous ones, more attention have been paid to the destructive dynamic processes, therefore the typification of the secondary communities has been carried out not through the restoration series but through the stages of anthropogenic transformation series. Natural and derivative units (numbers) are united into unified dynamic series (epitaxons). Two dynamic processes – destruction and demutation – can be traced on the vegetation map of Irkutsk District. At the base of the universal geobotanical map the block of phytoecological maps has been created. At present days the interest to the middle-scale and the large-scale mapping in Siberia is increasing sharply. Perspectives of its development are connected with forming the regional and local GIS and with developing the operative computer-mapping.

Вклад В. Б. Сочавы в развитие картографии растительности

Academician Victor B. Sochava is a prominent scientist of the present time – a botanist, geographer, ecologist. He is the author of significant scientific works on the theory, methodology and applied aspects of geobotany, the author and editor of numerous vegetation maps of Russia as well as maps of continents and the world as a whole. This communication concerns the role and significance of his works for the recent development of vegetation cartography. Sochava's name is connected with the new phytoecological stage of the thematic cartography. It is in his works that the ideas of phytoecological mapping, its theoretical and methodological foundations have been laid. Just in the 60-s he, time and again, raised the problem of increasing the information capacity of geobotanical maps. The further development in this direction has resulted in elaborating the principles of correlation cartography. The ecological- phytocoenotical map of Asian Russia, s. 1 : 7 500 000, created and edited under his leadership in 1977, became an excellent example of this approach. The system paradigm, developed in the Sochava's works, has given a new impulse to the modern phytoecological mapping and has determined its high level that has reflected in the creation of the phytoecosystem maps synthesizing the properties of vegetation and environments on the base of their structure-forming relations. Then in the paper the main theoretical concepts by V. B. Sochava are considered, such as the two-row classification of vegetation , its structural-dynamic analysis, the concept of epitaxon, the regional concept proper. The application of these and other theoretical concepts and their modern development are illustrated by the vegetation maps of some extensive regions: the European part of the USSR, West Siberia, the southern East Siberia, the drainage-basin of the Amur R., as well as by the new vegetation map of the USSR, s. 1 : 4 000 000, published in 1990. Considerable attention in the communication has been paid to the applied aspects of V. B. Sochava's activity: the creation of specialized thematic maps, such as the prognosis ones, the estimation, resource, nature conservation, medical-geographic, etc. V. B. Sochava kept diverse connections with foreign scientists, he was an active member of various international societies, commissions and associations, participated in international conferences, symposia, published works in different languages, promoting the authority of the national science. At the same time he considered the study of foreign scientific experience to be a necessary condition for successful development of the scientific research in our country.

Современное состояние картографии растительности в Италии

The main stages of the development of vegetation cartography are considered. The relation between maps of different type is established.

Картографирование растительности Китая

The article gives the brief outline of the history of vegetation mapping in China. Three periods in the development of Chinese vegetation cartography are distinguished. 1. The primary period (before 1957) is characterized by schematic, mostly regionalization, small-scale maps based on a physiognomic approach with few divisions of the legend. An example is the Vegetation Map of China at 1 : 18 000 000, published in 1957 which showed basic reguliarities of the geographic distribution of vegetation in China, its legend having included 13 numbers. 2. The period of maturation (from 1958 up to 1979). The extensive field investigations and rapid development of theory and methodology promoted the creation of some important cartographic works. The most significant of them are: Vegetation Map of China at 1 : 10 000 000 (Hou Hsiohyu et al., 1965), Vegetation Regionalization Map of China (Hou Hsiohyu, 1965), Vegetation Map of People s Republic of China at 1 : 4 000 000 (Hou Hsiohyu at al., 1980). These maps are notable for a great deal of various data involved, the hierarchic complex legends of almost two hundred divisions, the application of some new scientific approaches: showing the latitudinal, longitudinal and altitudinal differentiation, the edaphic variation of and the dynamic phenomena in vegetation. In this period some regional maps were published as well: vegetation maps of North-East China at 1 : 500 000 and of Zun Ge Er at 1 : 2 000 000. 3. The period of rapid and intensive development (after 1980). Owing to remote sensing technique numerous small-scale maps were prepared and published. The basic one is the Vegetation Map of China at 1 : 1 000 000. For its preparing a great deal of field materials, satellite images and literature data were involved. About 300 researches took part in this work.

Современные задачи картографии растительности в крупном масштабе

Современные задачи картографии растительности в крупном масштабе

Поиски новых приемов картографирования растительности

Поиски новых приемов картографирования растительности

The Study of Vegetation in Europe

INAUGURATION of the new Institute of the Service de la Carte de la Vegetation at the Faculte' des Sciences of the University of Toulouse, France, took place on May 16-21, 1960 at Toulouse. To celebrate the occasion the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.), of which the Service is an organ, sponsored an international colloquium on methods of vegetation cartography. An invitation to participate in this affair provided an opportunity to examine the status and methods of analysis, classification, and cartography of vegetation in Europe. The observations made were startling enough, perhaps, to be of interest even to the general American scientific public. The most conspicuous facts noted were the tremendous importance attached in Europe to the study of vegetation and to mapping it in various ways, and the advanced state of such studies there compared with this sort of work in America. One is led at least to ask the question whether this randomly selected example is in any way indicative of the relative status of basic research in general in the two continents.