Types of Vegetation Maps

Abstract

There are many types of vegetation maps, for various reasons. First of all, vegetation associations possess particular intrinsic characteristics based on their floristic composition, structure, synecology, syndynamics and synchorology. Each of these may be represented on a map, yielding maps of quite different meaning. Second, maps may vary according to scale and definition of the vegetation units. Third, a vegetation map depends on the theoretical conceptions of the different geobotanical schools and thus on the vegetation interpretation and classification resulting from these different approaches. Finally, maps may have “mixed” characteristics, i.e. may involve two or more thematic bases, such as actual vegetation and altitudinal belts.