Braun-Blanquet versus EcoVeg

A comparison of two syntaxonomic approaches applied to the Chilean vegetation.

Introduction

In their work, Alvarez and Luebert (2022) compared two approaches for syntaxonomic classification applied to Chilean vegetation, namely the Braun-Blanquet approach (e.g. Oberdorfer 1960) and the EcoVeg approach (Faber-Langendoen et al. 2014, 2016). While both approaches seek to provide classification of plant communities in a manner consistent with ecological and biogeographical patterns, the definitions in the Braun-Blanquet approach tend to place greater emphasis on the floristic composition than on other aspects, such as physiognomy and distribution patterns, which are more adequately reflected in the EcoVeg approach. This review is based on data stored in the vegetation-plot database sudamerica (Alvarez et al. 2012).

The image below is an interactive Sankey diagram that connects phytosociological classes according to the Braun-Blanquet approach against EcoVeg formations. The height of columns represents the relative number of associations included in each unit. The first and second columns from the left are phytosociological classes and alliances. The third column corresponds to EcoVeg formations. Green bars show phytosociological classes linked to more than one formation. Orange bars show alliances linked to more than one formation. Blue bars show formations linked to more than one phytosociological class.

The two approaches show clear disparities and the Sankey diagram highlights syntaxonomic groups that require a critical review.

References

Alvarez, Miguel, and Federico Luebert. 2022. “Chilean Vegetation in the Context of the Braun-Blanquet Approach and a Comparison with EcoVeg Formations.” Vegetation Classification and Survey 3: 45–52. https://doi.org/10.3897/vcs.72194.

Alvarez, Miguel, Bodo Maria Möseler, Cristina San Martín, Carlos Ramírez, and Javier Amigo. 2012. “CL-Dataveg a Database of Chilean Grassland Vegetation.” Biodiversity & Ecology 4: 443. https://doi.org/10.7809/b-e.00230.

Faber-Langendoen, Don, Todd Keeler-Wolf, Del Meidinger, Carmen Josse, Alan Weakley, David Tart, Gonzalo Navarro, et al. 2016. Classification and Description of World Formation Types. USDA. https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr346.pdf.

Faber-Langendoen, Don, Todd Keeler-Wolf, Del Meidinger, Dave Tart, Bruce Hoagland, Carmen Josse, Gonzalo Navarro, et al. 2014. “EcoVeg: A New Approach to Vegetation Description and Classification.” Ecological Monographs 84 (4): 533–61. https://doi.org/10.1890/13-2334.1.

Oberdorfer, Erich. 1960. Pflanzensoziologische Studien in Chile. Weinheim: J. Cramer.