The Finnish School and Forest Site-Types

Abstract

The classification of vegetation seems an eternal problem, without final answer. It is so because of the existence of regions differing widely not only in climate, soils, and flora, but also in the dynamics of the vegetation as affected by natural disturbance and increasing civilized violence as well. It is hardly possible that a single classificatory procedure should provide for all the problems and patterns with which students of vegetation in different areas must be concerned. The complexity of the task has been met with an equally complex and varied methodology worked out in various countries and phytosociological schools.