European Vegetation Survey: Current state of some national programmes

Abstract. Vegetation survey programmes in Austria, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Germany are described. The aims of these programmes are discussed and their origin and motivation elucidated against the historical background of the development of phytosociology (as part of vegetation science) in particular countries. The Austrian, British and Dutch national vegetation surveys have been logistically supported by either basic-research (Austria) or nature-conservation (Great Britain and the Netherlands) funding organisations. They are either being published (British Plant Communities) or heading for publication of their first volumes within the next two years. The German vegetation survey is a voluntarily-based enterprise expected to complete its work by the end of this century. The experience gained by the management of these national surveys is of fundamental importance in launching the European Vegetation Survey (a project under preparation).     

Common data standards for recording relevés in field survey for vegetation classification

Abstract. In the framework of the European Vegetation Survey common data standards are proposed for recording phytosociological relevés for syntaxonomical classification. The authors wish to establish the notion that common data standards for recording phytosociological data can only be advantageous for advancing the credibility and application of vegetation science, and may stimulate other projects.     

《中国植被志》的植被分类系统、植被类型划分及编排体系

植被志(vegegraphy)是基于植被调查资料, 全面记叙植被的群落外貌、种类组成、结构和功能、生境条件, 以及地理分布等特征, 并对同类植被进行归纳和总结的志书。“植被志”的英文译为“vegegraphy”, 是本文的新造词, 它是由“vegetation”的词头“vege-”和英文后缀“-graphy” (记叙之意)组成的合成词。《中国植被志》的研编是一项时间紧迫、内容复杂、工作量浩繁的重大科学工程。它的完成将极大提升中国植被科学和生态学的研究水平, 并为中国植被资源的合理利用、生物多样性保护及生态环境治理等提供不可或缺的基础资料。本文首先简述了植被的基本特征(主要包括外貌特征、种类组成、群落结构以及动态变化等)和国内外植被调查的进展情况, 简要回顾了中国植被分类系统的研究历史, 并对以往的分类系统进行了若干修订。在此基础上, 着重讨论并提出了《中国植被志》卷册编排体系和用于《中国植被志》研编的植被类型划分方案。在对植被分类系统的修订方面, 主要对高级分类单位及相对应的英文名称进行了讨论和修订。按照本文修订的分类系统, 中国植被的分类单位及其对应的英文名称分别是: 植被型组(Vegetation Formation Group)、植被型(Vegetation Formation)和植被亚型(Vegetation Subformation)、群系组(Alliance Group)、群系(Alliance)和亚群系(Suballiance)、群丛组(Association Group)以及群丛(Association)。在植被型组中, 划分为9类: 森林、灌丛、草本植被、荒漠、高山冻原与稀疏植被、沼泽与水生植被、农业植被、城市植被及无植被地段。关于《中国植被志》的卷册编排和“植被类型”划分, 首先按高级分类单位——植被型划分相应的“卷”; 在此框架下, 模糊“植被亚型”、“群系组”和“群系”的概念, 确定“植被类型” (Vegetation type), 并将其作为植被志各卷中的“册”。这样处理不仅保证了研编工作的可操作性, 也保持了同一卷册中特定植被类型的完整性。《中国植被志》编排体系中的“植被类型”的划分很重要, 它是指具有相同建群种及相同优势类群(如种、属)的植被组合, 但它不是严格意义上的植被分类单位。“植被类型”的划分遵循“优势类群及生活型的同一性, 生境条件的相对重要性, 植被特征及用途的差异性, 以及突出植被志的应用性”等原则。按该编排体系, 《中国植被志》将由48卷约110册组成。     

中国植被分类系统修订方案

为了推动《中国植被志》研编工作, 该文回顾了中国植被分类系统的发展过程和主要阶段性成果, 提出了作为《中国植被志》研编技术框架组成部分的中国植被分类系统修订方案, 对各植被型组及各植被型进行了简单定义和描述, 并针对中国植被分类系统若干问题, 特别就中国植被分类系统总体框架、混交林的界定以及土壤在植被分类中的重要性等问题进行了讨论。1960年侯学煜在《中国的植被》中首次提出了中国植被分类的原则和系统, 1980年出版的《中国植被》制定了分类等级和划分依据等更加完善的系统, 之后《中国植被及其地理格局——中华人民共和国1:1 000 000植被图说明书》和《中国植物区系与植被地理》以及很多省区的植被专著对该系统进行过修订。2017年宋永昌在《植被生态学》中提出了一个分类等级单位调整的方案。本次提出的中国植被分类系统修订方案基本沿用《中国植被》的植被分类原则、分类单位及系统, 采用“植物群落学-生态学”分类原则, 主要以植物群落特征及其与环境的关系作为分类依据, 包含三级主要分类单位, 即植被型(高级单位)、群系(中级单位)和群丛(低级单位); 在三个主要分类单位之上分别增加辅助单位植被型组、群系组和群丛组, 在植被型和群系之下主要根据群落的生态差异和实际需要可再增加植被亚型或亚群系。修订方案包含了森林、灌丛、草本植被(草地)、荒漠、高山冻原与稀疏植被、沼泽与水生植被(湿地)、农业植被、城市植被和无植被地段9个植被型组, 划分为48个植被型(含30个自然植被型、12个农业植被型、5个城市植被型和无植被地段)。自然植被中有23个植被型进一步划分出了81个植被亚型。     

A study of pattern and process in coastal vegetation using principal components analysis

A study is made of the dune system at Tentsmuir Point National Nature Reserve, Scotland, using transects crossing the vegetation zonation. Principal Components Analysis and tabular ordination are used to analyse the data, and an attempt is made to relate the results obtained to the dynamics of the system. The effects of different management regimes are considered, and it is concluded that the establishment of pine on the area has the largest effect on the development of the vegetation. Reduction in grazing pressure by rabbits is found to increase species diversity slightly, but has no major influence as yet on vegetation development. While some information on the dynamics of the vegetation can be inferred, the problems involved in this are considered to be large, and the study raises a number of questions to be studied in greater detail. It is concluded that permanent plots would be the most effective method to employ.Nomenclature follows Clapham, Tutin & Warburg (1962) for vascular plants, Watson (1968) for bryophytes, and Duncan (1970) for lichens.We should like to thank Dr. R. A. H. Smith of the Nature Conservancy Council for her assistance and permission to work on Tentsmuir Point N. N. R., and Mr. J. G. Young, then warden at Tentsmuir for his help at the start of the project. We are grateful to Dr. R. Meutzelfeldt for computational advice. In addition, one of us (R.J.H.) would like to thank Dr. E. van der Maarel and Dr. R. S. Clymo for their tuition during the Nordic Council for Ecology course Numerical Methods in Vegetation Analysis' in Lund, September, 1979.     

Short reviews of Nordic publications

By Jonas E. Lawesson Moen, A. 1998. Nasjonalatlas for Norge: Vegetasjon (National Atlas of Norway: Vegetation). Fremstad, E. 1997. Vegetasjonstyper i Norge. (Vegetation types in Norway). Påhlsson, L. (ed.) 1998. Vegetationstyper i Norden (Vegetation types in the Nordic countries). TemaNord 1998.     

《中国植被志》研编内容与规范

植被志是基于植被(或植物群落)调查资料, 全面记叙植被的外貌、物种组成、结构和功能, 以及地理分布和生境条件等特征, 并对同类植被进行归纳和总结的志书。《中国植被志》是第一部对中国植被进行全面记述的志书, 预计完成约48卷110册。在借鉴《中国植被》(1980)(简称“80方案”)植被分类基本原则的基础上,《中国植被志》将对中国植被分类系统的高级分类单位(植被型组、植被型和植被亚型)进行归纳和总结, 对中级和低级分类单位(群系组、群系、亚群系, 群丛组、群丛)进行详细描述。植被高级分类单位的描述具有概括性质, 是在中国植被分类系统中级和低级分类单位描述的基础上, 对其在全球和中国境内的地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型及多样性、优势种或共优势种、生物多样性保育价值以及资源现状等进行概述, 并对“80方案”相关内容进行修订和拓展, 将提供对中国植被基本特征客观、准确的记述。在植被中级和低级分类单位中, 群系组描述的内容包括地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型以及价值与保育等内容; 群系描述的主要内容包括地理分布、自然环境、生态特征、物种组成、群落结构、群丛组和群丛的分类与描述、优势种的生物学特性、生物量与生产力、植被动态与演替以及价值与保育等方面。作为植被志研编的核心内容, 群丛组和群丛的分类与描述主要基于植被调查资料, 采用数量分类方法, 根据群落结构和物种组成的差异划分出不同的植被类型, 并对其基本特征进行定量描述和归纳。其中, 群落的层片结构、特定植被分类单元的特征种或特征种组的筛选与甄别是植被类型划分的关键环节; 而群落外貌, 群落结构, 物种组成, 各类物种的生长习性、生境的偏适性等是群丛组和群丛描述与归纳的重点内容。该文提出了中国植被中级和低级分类单位的命名方案, 其特点在于植被类型的科学名称中同时体现了植被分类单元特征种或优势种的名称及其所属的高级植被分类单位(植被型组或植被型)的名称, 兼顾了植被名称的规范性与实用性。《中国植被志》的研编工作由文献整编、群落调查、数据分析与整理、文本撰写等环节组成。该文对植被样方的调查与收集, 文献收集与整编, 气候、土壤、地形等相关数据的来源及其整理方法, 植被分类方法, 植被命名, 植被分类单元描述的内容, 植被志章节编写大纲、体裁及撰写等多个规范进行了详细的阐述或示例。     

北京海淀区植被覆盖的遥感动态研究

 植被覆盖度fg人(植被的垂直投影面积与单位面积之比)是一个十分重要的生态气候参数。为了有效地从遥感资料中提取植被覆盖度,发展了一套计算区域植被覆盖度的亚象元分解模型法。运用该方法对北京市海淀区1975、1991和1997年的植被覆盖度进行了计算,并在此基础上,求得研究区不同植被覆盖等级的变化转移矩阵,分析了海淀区22年来植被覆盖等级变化的空间过程和变化趋势。     

植被科学与多元向量分析

提出植被分析的新数学方法－－多元向量分析法。植被群落是由多种植物组成的。植被状态可以用多维物种空间的点,或连接空间点和原点的多元向量来,向量同时具有量值和方向。向量的量值（长度）表示植被所含物质,能量,信息的总量,而方向表示这个总量在各物种间的分配。在射影空间里,同一射线上的点表示成分相同的植被（或代表相同植被的点组成射线）。用余弦表示的向量方向是植被数量化,进而施行植被成分分析的关键。向量分析既可以用来进行植被分类,也可以用于植被动态监测。     

三峡库区消涨带植被重建

重建三峡水库消涨带植被对于恢复消涨带功能、维持三峡工程安全和修复长江流域退化生态系统具有十分重要的意义.消涨带可分为自然消涨带和人工消涨带,自然消涨带及其植被是流域生态系统的组成部分,具有重要的生态、社会和经济价值.人为控制水位涨落而形成的人工消涨带很少有植被覆盖,属于退化的生态系统.三峡消涨带包括三峡自然消涨带和三峡水库消涨带,三峡工程的建设将淹没三峡自然消涨带及其植被并产生没有植被覆盖的三峡水库消涨带.作者认为开发利用三峡水库消涨带土地资源,发展库区经济将导致库区生态环境恶化、危及三峡工程安全且不利于长江流域生态系统的健康.解决三峡水库消涨带问题的关键是重建消涨带植被,并恢复其功能.该文从水利建设与环境保护的关系、三峡水库管理与库区景观建设的需要、消涨带功能恢复与流域生态系统康复和促进水库消涨带研究的深入阐述了开展三峡水库消涨带植被重建的必要性.     

消涨带及三峡水库消涨带植被重建

重建三峡水库消涨带植被对于恢复消涨带功能、维持三峡工程安全和修复长江流域退化生态系统具有十分重要的意义。消涨带可分为自然消涨带和人工消涨带,自然消涨带及其植被是流域生态系统的组成部分,具有重要的生态、社会和经济价值。人为控制水位涨落而形成的人工消涨带很少有植被覆盖,属于退化的生态系统。三峡消涨带包括三峡自然消涨带和三峡水库消涨带,三峡工程的建设将淹没三峡自然消涨带及其植被并产生没有植被覆盖的三峡水库消涨带。作者认为开发利用三峡水库消涨带土地资源,发展库区经济将导致库区生态环境恶化、危及三峡工程安全且不利于长江流域生态系统的健康。解决三峡水库消涨带问题的关键是重建消涨带植被,并恢复其功能。该文从水利建设与环境保护的关系、三峡水库管理与库区景观建设的需要、消涨带功能恢复与流域生态系统康复和促进水库消涨带研究的深入阐述了开展三峡水库消涨带植被重建的必要性。     

植被制图色彩和符号设计原则与全国植被图图例方案

植被图通常采用不同的颜色并结合符号来区分不同的植被类型, 以期更加直观、清晰地将植被类型信息传达给读者。如何通过色彩和符号的合理搭配来区分不同的植被类型是植被制图中的关键步骤, 尤其是对于植被类型较丰富的区域, 植被图的色彩和符号设计更为复杂。植被图图例系统建立在植被分类系统之上, 近10余年来我国的植被分类系统得到了进一步的发展和完善, 因此, 非常有必要在最新的植被分类系统基础上, 提出一套植被制图色彩和符号设计方案, 用以指导当前的植被制图工作。该研究整理了地图学、植被图以及其他专题地图色彩和符号设计的要求, 提出了植被制图的色彩和符号设计原则。在最新的植被分类系统基础上, 采用颜色三属性(色调、明度、饱和度)及符号的基本视觉变量(形状、尺寸、方向、色彩、密度、亮度)的变化及其组合, 依据色彩和符号设计的系统性、科学性、象征性等原则, 对中国植被分类系统高级分类单位中的植被亚型, 进行了标准化配色和符号设计, 旨在为植被制图工作者及新一代1:50万植被图编研提供理论依据和参考, 提升植被制图的效率和质量。     

Hydrologic restoration in a dynamic subtropical mangrove‐to‐marsh ecotone

Extensive hydrologic modifications in coastal regions across the world have occurred to support infrastructure development, altering the function of many coastal wetlands. Wetland restoration success is dependent on the existence of hydrologic regimes that support development of appropriate soils and the growth and persistence of wetland vegetation. In Florida, United States, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP) seeks to restore, protect, and preserve water resources of the greater Everglades region. Herein we describe vegetation dynamics in a mangrove‐to‐marsh ecotone within the impact area of a CERP hydrologic restoration project currently under development. Vegetation communities are also described for a similar area outside the project area. We found that vegetation shifts within the impact area occurred over a 7‐year period; cover of herbaceous species varied by location, and an 88% increase in the total number of mangrove seedlings was documented. We attribute these shifts to the existing modified hydrologic regime, which is characterized by a low volume of freshwater sheet flow compared with historical conditions (i.e. before modification), as well as increased tidal influence. We also identified a significant trend of decreasing soil surface elevation at the impact area. The CERP restoration project is designed to increase freshwater sheet flow to the impact area. Information from our study characterizing existing vegetation dynamics prior to implementation of the restoration project is required to allow documentation of long‐term project effects on plant community composition and structure within a framework of background variation, thereby allowing assessment of the project's success in restoring critical ecosystem functions.     

植被监测及趋势分析——植被数量生态学中几个理论问题的探讨

 系统监测可以对危机发出预警, 是防治灾害的重要手段。生态监测的基础是植被监测。多物种 多样本 多年的植被定位监测数据隐含 着植被变化的信息。该文探索描述植被的数学工具, 提出植被监测数据的趋势分析方法。植被是资源竞争系统, 可以用多维空间的向量来表示 。在向量空间(射影空间), 不是“距离” , 而是“方向”决定区别; 在植被科学, 不是“产量”, 而是“组成”决定区别。新方法用多维空间 的位置向量来表示植被: 向量的方向表示植被的组成、两向量夹角余弦值表示相似、向量长度表示植被总体。在简缩数据时, 用“中心化”滤 去样本噪音、“标准化”滤去系统噪音, 得到状态向量。在趋势分析时, 定义后、前状态向量的比值为变化趋势; 用当年的状态和趋势的乘积 来预报次年的状态。到次年, 再用实测数据修正、更新来自去年的预报, 是为“卡尔曼滤波”。卡尔曼滤波能降低监测成本, 有效地使用历史 数据, 提高分析精度。     

An update of the vegetation classification in China北大核心CSCD

The vegetation classification in China was updated by referring to recent advances for vegetation classification worldwide and on the basis of our former paper Recognition and Proposal on the Vegetation Classification System of China (hereafter, "Recognition and Proposal"). In this revision, the criteria for vegetation classification were discussed and unified, and a quantified standard for high, medium, and low level units in a new hierarchical classification scheme was supplemented. Compared with the old classification scheme in "Recognition and Proposal", the units at the level of vegetation type were substantially changed. Finally, in order to improve mutual communication among international peers, a comparison was carried out between the new revised scheme and each of International Classification and Mapping of Vegetation of UNESCO, The National Vegetation Classification Standard of United States, and The Braun-Blanquet Classification Scheme.     

Use of the ecological information system SynBioSys for the analysis of large datasets

The rapid developments in computer techniques and the availability of large datasets open new perspectives for vegetation analysis aiming at better understanding of the ecology and functioning of ecosystems and underlying mechanisms. Information systems prove to be helpful tools in this new field. Such information systems may integrate different biological levels, viz. species, community and landscape. They incorporate a GIS platform for the visualization of the various layers of information, enabling the analysis of patterns and processes which relate the individual levels. An example of a newly developed information system is SynBioSys Europe, an initiative of the European Vegetation Survey (EVS). For the individual levels of the system, specific sources are available, notably national and regional Turboveg databases for the community level and data from the recently published European Map of Natural Vegetation for the landscape level. The structure of the system and its underlying databases allow user‐defined queries. With regard to its application, such information systems may play a vital role in European nature planning, such as the implementation the EU‐program Natura 2000. To illustrate the scope and perspectives of the program, some examples from The Netherlands are presented. They are dealing with long‐term changes in grassland ecosystems, including shifts in distribution, floristic composition, and ecological indicator values.     

Selection Study of Optimum Temporal Remote Sensing Images for Vegetation Resources Inventory

Vegetation remote sensing data from sensor change with phenologyand the sun altitude angles. Therefore, the optimum temporal images must be selectedfrom different periods for vegetation studies. The season of the greatest vegetationreflection difference in the visible and near-infrared regions is the optimum temporalfor the vegetation classifying studies. The results indicate that the absolute difference and relative difference of plantspecies in reflectance axe the greatest in spring and early summer. Then the greatestnumber of crop types can be identified in the images. The autumn images are most suitable for identifying deciduous leaf vegetation, for the leaf pigments of all kinds appear at that time. Vegetation reflectances in MSS5 and MSS7 decrease with the decrease of the altitude angles of the sun. Therefore, appropriate images of the sun altitude angles must be selected for the study of vegetation. The author concludes that the optimum temporal images of remote sensing for vegetation studies in Hubei Province or north tropics are those taken in April, May and November.     

On the nordic guidelines for life cycle assessment

In 1991, the Nordic Council of Ministers initiated a project on LCA. The objectives of the project have been to develop a Code of Practise for LCA built on Nordic consensus, to provide industry and other practitioners with a set of guidelines for LCA, mainly in “key issue identification” LCAs and to influence the international discussion on the subject. The final phase of the project is now being finished, resulting in Guidelines for LCA, which arc presented here briefly. Important topics are system boundary setting, cutoff criteria, allocations, data quality and impact assessment methods.     

European Vegetation Survey: update on progress

Abstract. Progress in the European Vegetation Survey is described. 25 countries are now represented in a network committed to common data standards in phytosociological survey, the development of compatible software for data analysis and mapping, the encouragement of national programmes and the development of an overview of European plant communities. Advances in each of these areas of activity is summarised and plans for the future are outlined, most notably the production of a book ‘The Vegetation of Europe’.     

毛乌素沙地南缘植被景观格局演变与空间分布特征

以1991、1999和2007年TM/ETM+影像为数据源,利用RS和GIS技术提取研究区植被覆盖度信息,将其按地貌分区,计算景观格局指数,分析植被景观格局变化特征.结果表明:(1) 1999年是研究区16a植被景观结构变化的转折点,植被覆盖状况前期恶化后期好转.1991-1999年两区极低和低级植被覆盖度占绝对优势,继续增强,风沙区55％-70％,丘陵区70％-80％.高等级比例均在5％以下,持续下滑.2007年两区的优势级别提升为低级和中级,风沙区比例55％,丘陵区70％.极低级别比例减小,风沙区40％-20％,丘陵区50％-15％.高级比例不同程度增大.(2)1999年前后植被景观格局反向演变,两区变化趋势基本相同程度不同.植被多样性和均匀度先减小后增大,等级问交替分布规律先弱后强.风沙区景观形状由复杂到简单,破碎度先增后减;丘陵区破碎度持续增大,形状变化微小.整体上来看,风沙区植被多样性高整体性好,植被均匀度指数大,交替分布规律明显,丘陵区植被格局较差.但外界对风沙区的干扰比丘陵区强烈.(3)植被景观格局演变过程中始终保持多核心模式,核心面积、形状甚至类型发生不同程度的变化.风沙区核心多为无植被斑块,丘陵区多为高植被覆盖度斑块.核心外围植被分布具有梯度性.