Community Ecology
Volume/Issue:
Volume 5: Issue 1
Objectifying thematic, spatial and temporal aspects of vegetation mapping for monitoring
Authors:
M.E. Sanders Alterra Green World Research, Wageningen University and Research Centre Droevendaalsesteeg 3, P.O. Box 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands

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G.M. Dirkse Alterra, Green World Research PO Box 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands

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, and
P.A. Slim Alterra Green World Research, Wageningen University and Research Centre Droevendaalsesteeg 3, P.O. Box 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands

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Pages:
81–91
Online Publication Date:
22 Jul 2005
Publication Date:
01 Jun 2004
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/comec.5.2004.1.8
Keywords:
Remote sensing; Remote sensing; Accuracy; Objectivity; Permanent plots; Plant species; Sampling design; Sequential maps; Vegetation mapping
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Ad hoc decisions during fieldwork reduce the accuracy and reliability of vegetation maps. A method is proposed to objectify vegetation (thematic aspects) mapping (spatial aspects) for monitoring (temporal aspects). The most accurate and reliable description of the vegetation is a list of all plant species found within a plot. Therefore, the proposed method is an interpolation of a spatially representative sample of permanent plots combined with aerial photo interpretation. The method is objective because surveyors do not have to make decisions during fieldwork based on their personal judgement. Moreover, it is flexible, because the classification and interpolation methods can be adapted to specific views or needs depending on the aim of a study. The method was applied to an area in the north of the Netherlands in 1998. A sampling design with a density of 1 plot/ha was used, and interpolated with a perpendicular bisector. In 2002, the number of plots/ha was doubled. The influence of sample density on the mapping results was studied because it is an important decision to be made before fieldwork. Two plots/ha seem to be sufficient in order to obtain reliable information on patterns of plant species composition and vegetation types of the area, and their change over time. However, in patches where vegetation varies on a very small spatial scale this plot density was insufficient.

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Cover Community Ecology
Community Ecology An Interdisciplinary Journal Reporting Progress in Community and Population Studies
Print ISSN:
1585-8553
Online ISSN:
1588-2756

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Community Ecology
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation		 2000
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 3
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1585-8553 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2756 (Online)

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