Elements for A System of Data Processing in Phytosociology and Ecology

This contribution presents a system of data–processing which has gradually been developed at our institute to solve concrete problems arising in the various vegetation studies carried out here. The system comprises a data storage and retrieval system as well as a series of statistical tests and multivariate methods for use in ‘phytosociology and ecology’, (cf. the name of our institute). According to our usage these terms have the following meaning. Phytosociology is considered as the study of relations between plants, sensu Krylov (1898). or the study of plant associations. ‘associations vegetales’. sensu Guinochet (1973). Plant (or vegetation) ecology is considered as the study of the relations between vegetation and its environment, including studies of indicator species and ecological groups, and subsequent analyses of vegetation structure and distribution ecology of animal species (e.g. birds and molluscs). This definition of phytosociology deviates from definitions such as of Braun–Blanquet (1932). Cain (1944) and Becking (1957) which include environmental relations (Cf Westhoff & van der Maarel 1978 for a review of the Braun–Blanquet approach which emphasizes synecology as an essential approach in phytosociology).