Review paper
The integrated synusial approach to vegetation classification and analysis
Gillet, François; Julve, Philippe
Phytocoenologia Band 48 Heft 2 (2018), p. 141 - 152
77 references
published: May 1, 2018
published online: Feb 21, 2018
manuscript accepted: Dec 5, 2017
manuscript revision received: Dec 5, 2017
manuscript revision requested: Nov 23, 2017
manuscript received: Oct 6, 2016
ArtNo. ESP024004802004, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Abstract The traditional Braun-Blanquet approach and its modern variants are mainly restricted to the classification of phytocoenoses, i.e. assemblages that include all plants (or at least all vascular plants) of the community. However, phytosociologists may also focus on the classification of synusiae – one-layered, ecologically homogeneous assemblages (e.g., epiphytic or epilithic bryolichenic communities, herbaceous or shrubby fringe communities) – using similar class definition procedures. The integrated synusial approach (ISA), developed in Switzerland and France, is an extension of the synusial approaches to the description and classification of phytocoenoses conceived as assemblages of synusiae. Separate plot records are used to build separate consistent classification sections (CCSs) for each category of synusiae, i.e. tree, shrub, herb and moss synusiae. Lower-level synusial vegetation types are called ‘synusial elementary syntaxa’ (SESs). A type-based CCS can eventually be created for the classification of complete phytocoenoses, based on their synusial composition, i.e. lists of SESs. Lower-level phytocoenotic vegetation types are called ‘elementary coenotaxa’. Submitted: 6 October 2016; first decision: 23 November 2017; accepted: 5 December 2017
Keywords
coenotaxon • organization level • phytocoenosis • synusia • synusial elementary syntaxon