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Aims Biodiversity is traditionally studied mostly at the species level, but biogeographical and macroecological studies at higher taxonomic levels can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary processes at large spatial scales. Our aim was to assess the representation of vascular plant families within different vegetation formations across Europe. Location Europe. Methods We used a data set of 816,005 vegetation plots from the European Vegetation Archive (EVA). For each plot, we calculated the relative species richness of each plant family as the number of species belonging to that family divided by the total number of species. We mapped the relative species richness, averaged across all plots in 50 km × 50 km grid cells, for each family and broad habitat groups: forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We also calculated the absolute species richness and the Shannon diversity index for each family. Results We produced 522 maps of mean relative species richness for a total of 152 vascular plant families occurring in forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We found distinct spatial patterns for many combinations of families and habitat groups. The resulting series of 522 maps is freely available, both as images and GIS layers. Conclusions The distinct spatial patterns revealed in the maps suggest that the relative species richness of plant families at the community level reflects the evolutionary history of individual families. We believe that the maps and associated data can inspire further biogeographical and macroecological studies and strengthen the ongoing integration of phylogenetic, functional and taxonomic diversity concepts.
Research on the habitats protected by the European Union's Habitats Directive (HD) has increased rapidly since its adoption in 1992. However, the methods and tools used to assess their conservation status are varied. In this context, we reviewed and summarized the scientific literature related to the coastal Natura 2000 habitats to list and sort parameters used to assess and map their conservation status. We found 225 papers that specifically focused on the assessment of conservation status of coastal habitats. An analysis of the papers was conducted based on the four parameters (range, area, structure and functions, future prospects) specified in the guidelines.Results highlight knowledge gaps regarding the availability of data and methods that measure the range, area, structure and functions and trends. Most of the papers focused on coastal dunes and were located in the Mediterranean biogeographic region. Therefore, the process of assessing the conservation status of coastal habitats remains complicated to implement because methodological approaches are mainly dominated by expert statements and all the procedures of the Habitats Directive are carried out within each member country and the final assessments are often the synthesis of these partial assessments. However, the multiscalar approach and the use of innovative technologies (databases, remote sensing) can be particularly relevant to develop replicable approaches and facilitate monitoring and the implementation of management measures.
Mapping plant communities, which is essential to assess the conservation status of natural habitats, is currently based mainly on time-consuming field surveys without the use of satellite data. However, free image time-series with high spatial and temporal resolution have been available since 2015. This study assessed the contribution of Sentinel-2 time-series images to mapping the spatial distribution of 18 plant communities within a Natura 2000 site (1978 ha) located on the Mediterranean biogeographical region (Corsica, France). The method was based on random forest modeling of six Sentinel-2 images acquired from 26 February to 24 October 2017, which were calibrated and validated using a field vegetation map. The results showed that the 18 plant communities were modeled correctly, with 72% overall accuracy. The uncertainty map associated with the model indicated areas that required additional field observations.
The main concepts and definitions related to dynamic-catenal phytosociology are presented and discussed, in order to share common definitions within the French national program CarHAB dedicated to serial and catenal vegetation typology and mapping. Symphytosociology is based on serial approach and on the vegetation series concept, while Geosymphytosociology is based on catenal approach and on the geoseries concept.
En France, la carte géographique d’état-major, levée de 1818 à 1866, couvre l’ensemble du pays en 273 feuilles. C’est sous Louis XVIII que la réalisation de cet immense chantier a commencé, en 1817, pour répondre au départ à des besoins civils et militaires. La Corse a été la dernière région française cartographiée (entre 1864 et 1866) ; elle est représentée par 22 feuilles de minutes éditées au 1 : 40 000. La reproduction du relief est la grande nouveauté apportée par ces cartes. Mais elles sont surtout une formidable source de données historiques spatialisées qui nous indique l’occupation du sol par les cultures, les vignes, les marais, les maquis, les forêts ou encore les habitations. À cette époque, le territoire était très ouvert avec 83 % de la surface non boisée où les activités humaines, notamment pastorales, marquaient fortement le paysage (60 % du territoire en pacage ou en parcours). 20 % de la Corse était cultivée et il y avait déjà plus de 7 000 ha de vignes. Concernant la part de la forêt, il y a 150 ans, elle représentait près de 154 000 ha, alors qu’aujourd’hui on l’estime à plus de 500 000 ha (IGN 2013). C’est-à-dire qu’elle a été multipliée par un coefficient 3 pendant cette période. Calculée avec comme date de référence celle de la carte d’état-major, la part des forêts anciennes serait égale à 80 000 ha en Corse. Ce sont vraiment les essences de montagne qui ont gardé le plus longtemps un continuum de leur état boisé, avec les forêts de pin laricio (Pinus nigra subsp. laricio Maire) et de hêtre (Fagus sylvatica L.). A contrario, ce sont les suberaies (chênes-lièges, Quercus suber L.) qui ont payé le plus fort tribut au développement urbanistique et agricole du territoire. Une autre information intéressante que nous apportent les données de l’état-major, est la présence de forêts à l’étage subalpin (entre 1 600 et 2 100 m d’altitude) que l’on ne retrouve plus aujourd’hui. Cependant, depuis quelques décennies, on observe une remontée de quelques essences forestières comme le sorbier des oiseleurs (Sorbus aucuparia subsp. praemorsa (Guss) Nyman.) et l’érable sycomore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) à ces altitudes, fortement liée à la déprise des territoires d’estives.
In this phytosociological survey, we tackle the place of Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. We found these plant communities in the Plaine orientale region, at the mesomediterranean level on the alluviums of the flood plains. We discern two phytosociological plant associations, the Rubio peregrinae-Fraxinetum oxycarpae (Biondi & Allegrezza 2004) and the Carici remotae-Fraxinetum oxycarpae (Pedrotti 1970 corr. Pedrotti 1992) and describe their variations in the corsican context. Lastly, we discuss the biogeographical, patrimonial and conservation aspects of these plant communities.
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