Australian vegetation classification and the International Vegetation Classification framework: an overview with case studies

Abstract

Recent advances in conceptual frameworks in vegetation classifications, such as the EcoVeg approach that underpins the International Vegetation Classification (IVC) developed by NatureServe staff and colleagues, offer opportunities to enhance national classification initiatives. National level initiatives provide an important stepping-stone between international units and subnational units. Australia has a long history of developing various vegetation typologies at local to regional scales, but ecologists recognise the need for an Australia-wide, plot-based vegetation classification system that incorporates the principles of the EcoVeg approach, and thereby helps build an international classification system. Using two case studies, we provide a comparison of various structures and criteria for relevant Australian classifications in the context of the IVC, and exemplify how Australian classifications of forest, shrublands, grasslands, and deserts could potentially link into the IVC hierarchy to illustrate the capacity of the IVC to summarise the full range of Australian vegetation at a broad formation (biome) scale. We then discuss how the IVC might inform future work towards an Australian vegetation classification system and, vice versa, the implications of an Australian vegetation classification for IVC development.

Australian advances in vegetation classification and the need for a national, science-based approach

“…We also look to the futurefor how Australian vegetation science may be improved with further collaboration nationally, and how we may work globally, for example, by incorporating our classifications into the IVC. Gellie and Hunter (2021) and Muldavin et al (2021) provide casestudies for how this can be done, with their applications to the flora of eastern NSW and the Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Triodia spp. hummock grasslands and savanna systems across northern Australia (Fig.…”

“…2). Muldavin et al (2021) also discusses how we can be informed by international experience and how our unique vegetation and experiences can also inform and improve international programs for the benefit of all. Nationally and internationally co-ordinated, science-based approaches to vegetation classification will aid communication across jurisdictional boundaries and help to provide consistency in national and international reporting requirements.…”

“…In this case, herbaceous species will influence classification results but have a low correlation with remotely sensed patterns (Neldner and Howitt 1991;Addicott et al 2021). Complexity has also been a barrier to the use of numerical methods in policy and regulatory frameworks and can make the synthesis of historic with current datasets, and across jurisdictional boundaries difficult (Gellie and Hunter 2021;Luxton et al 2021;Muldavin et al 2021). These factors, together with the lack of a critical number of practitioners, have likely stymied vegetation classification collaboration efforts within Australia and internationally.…”

Poplar box woodlands of Eastern Australia: an assessment of a threatened ecological community within the IVC framework

“…One key impediment to the process of listing threatened ecological communities is a lack of jurisdictional conformity in typology (Gellie et al 2018;Muldavin et al 2021;Saunders et al 2021). Only through the unification of terminology and procedure, at least with some critical components of survey and naming across jurisdictions, can a clearer understanding of the distribution and threats to communities occur (De Cáceres et al 2015;Gellie et al 2018;Luxton et al 2021).…”

“…A lack of jurisdictional conformity is a global issue within many regions and concerted efforts are being made to unify classificatory procedures at all levels to allow greater regional, continental and global understandings (Faber-Langendoen et al 2014;De Cáceres et al 2018;Luxton et al 2021;Muldavin et al 2021). Though many early attempts at classifying vegetation within Australia were continental in focus (e.g.…”