The Use of Phytosociological Methods in Ecological Investigations: I. The Braun-Blanquet System

Abstract

The divergence which has arisen between the phyto-sociologists of Continental Europe and Anglo-American ecologists is discussed. An attempt is made to interpret the development and aims of the Zurich-Montpellier school of sociologists. The reasons for certain features of the system which they use are analyzed, as well as the use of floristics as the basis of a classification of vegetation, the abstract nature of the Association, the value of various criteria (fidelity, dominance, constancy) for characterising Associations, and their view of succession. Techniques for the field description of vegetation and for the constructing of Association Tables are explained. The article is interpretative rather than critical. "Faithful species" is proposed as translation of the German "Charakterart.".