Australian vegetation classification and the International Vegetation Classification framework: an overview with case studies
Esteban H. Muldavin
A G , Eda Addicott B F , John T. Hunter C , Donna Lewis D and Don Faber-Langendoen E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Natural Heritage New Mexico, Biology Department, MSC03 2020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM, 87131-0001, USA.
B Queensland Herbarium, Department of Environmental Science, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong Qld 40066, Australia.
C School of Environmental & Rural Science, Natural Resources Building, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
D Northern Territory Herbarium, Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security, PO Box 496, Palmerston, NT 0831, Australia.
E NatureServe, 2550 South Clark Street, Suite 930, Arlington, VA 22202, USA.
F Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: muldavin@unm.edu
Australian Journal of Botany 69(7) 339-356 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT20076
Submitted: 6 July 2020 Accepted: 11 March 2021 Published: 28 April 2021
Abstract
Recent advances in conceptual frameworks in vegetation classifications, such as the EcoVeg approach that underpins the International Vegetation Classification (IVC) developed by NatureServe staff and colleagues, offer opportunities to enhance national classification initiatives. National level initiatives provide an important stepping-stone between international units and subnational units. Australia has a long history of developing various vegetation typologies at local to regional scales, but ecologists recognise the need for an Australia-wide, plot-based vegetation classification system that incorporates the principles of the EcoVeg approach, and thereby helps build an international classification system. Using two case studies, we provide a comparison of various structures and criteria for relevant Australian classifications in the context of the IVC, and exemplify how Australian classifications of forest, shrublands, grasslands, and deserts could potentially link into the IVC hierarchy to illustrate the capacity of the IVC to summarise the full range of Australian vegetation at a broad formation (biome) scale. We then discuss how the IVC might inform future work towards an Australian vegetation classification system and, vice versa, the implications of an Australian vegetation classification for IVC development.
Keywords: EcoVeg, Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Triodia spp., Australian savanna, International Vegetation Classification, Mediterranean scrub, tropical woodlands, bioregions, vegetation system.
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