Vegetation Description Analysis

Vegetation Description and Data Analysis: A PracticalApproach, Second Edition is a fully revised and up-datededition of this key text. The book takes account of recent advancesin the field whilst retaining the original reader-friendly approachto the coverage of vegetation description and multivariate analysisin the context of vegetation data and plant ecology. Since the publication of the hugely popular first edition therehave been significant developments in computer hardware andsoftware, new key journals have been established in the field andscope and application of vegetation description and analysis hasbecome a truly global field. This new edition includes fullcoverage of new developments and technologies. This contemporary and comprehensive edition of this well-known andrespected textbook will prove invaluable to undergraduate andgraduate students in biological sciences, environmental science,geography, botany, agriculture, forestry and biologicalconservation. * Fully international approach * Includes illustrative case studies throughout * Now with new material on: the nature of plant communities;transitional areas between plant communities; induction anddeduction of plant ecology; diversity indices and dominancediversity curves; multivariate analysis in ecology. * Accessible, reader-friendly style * Now with new and improved illustrations

The 3rd edition of this popular textbook introduces the reader to the investigation of vegetation systems with an emphasis on data analysis. The book succinctly illustrates the various paths leading to high quality data suitable for pattern recognition, pattern testing, static and dynamic modelling and model testing including spatial and temporal aspects of ecosystems. Step-by-step introductions using small examples lead to more demanding approaches illustrated by real world examples aimed at explaining interpretations. All data sets and examples described in the book are available online and are written using the freely available statistical package R. This book will be of particular value to beginning graduate students and postdoctoral researchers of vegetation ecology, ecological data analysis, and ecological modelling, and experienced researchers needing a guide to new methods. A completely revised and updated edition of this popular introduction to data analysis in vegetation ecology. Includes practical step-by-step examples using the freely available statistical package R. Complex concepts and operations are explained using clear illustrations and case studies relating to real world phenomena. Emphasizes method selection rather than just giving a set of recipes.

TO VEGETATION ANALYSIS Principles, practice and interpretation D.R. CAUSTON Department of Botany and Microbiology, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth London UNWIN HYMAN Boston Sydney Wellington © D.R. Causton, 1988 This book is copyright under the Berne Convention. No reproduction without permission. All rights reserved. Published by the Academic Division of Unwin Hyman Ltd 15/17 Broadwick Street, London W1V 1FP, UK Allen & Unwin Inc., 8 Winchester Place, Winchester, Mass. 01890, USA Allen & Unwin (Australia) Ltd, 8 Napier Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia Allen & Unwin (New Zealand) Ltd in association with the Port Nicholson Press Ltd, 60 Cambridge Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand First published in 1988 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Causton, David R. An introduction to vegetation analysis: principles, practice and intepretation. 1. Botany-Ecology-Mathematics I. Title 581.5'247 QK901 ISBN-13: 978-0-04-581025-3 e-ISBN-13: 978-94-011-7981-2 DOl: 10.1007/978-94-011-7981-2 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Causton, David R. An introduction to vegetation analysis. Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. Botany-Ecology-Methodology. 2. Plant communities-Research-Methodology. 3. Vegetation surveys. 4. Vegetation classification. I. Title. QK90I.C33 1987 581.5 87-19327 ISBN-13: 978-0-04-581025-3 Typeset in 10 on 12 point Times by Mathematical Composition Setters Ltd, Salisbury and Biddies of Guildford Preface This book has been written to help students and their teachers, at various levels, to understand the principles, some of the methods, and ways of interpreting vegetational and environmental data acquired in the field.

A review and evaluation of the analysis methods for studying spatial pattern in vegetation.

Vegetation Description and Data Analysis: A Practical Approach, Second Edition is a fully revised and up-dated edition of this key text. The book takes account of recent advances in the field whilst retaining the original reader-friendly approach to the coverage of vegetation description and multivariate analysis in the context of vegetation data and plant ecology. Since the publication of the hugely popular first edition there have been significant developments in computer hardware and software, new key journals have been established in the field and scope and application of vegetation description and analysis has become a truly global field. This new edition includes full coverage of new developments and technologies. This contemporary and comprehensive edition of this well-known and respected textbook will prove invaluable to undergraduate and graduate students in biological sciences, environmental science, geography, botany, agriculture, forestry and biological conservation. Fully international approach Includes illustrative case studies throughout Now with new material on: the nature of plant communities; transitional areas between plant communities; induction and deduction of plant ecology; diversity indices and dominance diversity curves; multivariate analysis in ecology. Accessible, reader-friendly style Now with new and improved illustrations