VEGETATION

Vegetation is the totality of vegetation communities and also accompanying groups of plants occurring in the various regions of the Earth. In contrast to flora, vegetation is characterized not only by the species composition, but by the abundance and the combination of species and of various life forms of plants, and by their spatial structure and dynamics. Vegetation is a most important component of the biosphere that is closely related with climate, hydrology, soils, relief, and animal life.

The zonal pattern of vegetation distribution is greatly predetermined by climate. Vegetation zonality, for example, in the great plains of Russia such as the Russian Plain and the West-Siberian Lowland is reflected in the change in the great ecological and physiognomic categories of vegetation. Zonality is most evident in the plains. In the mountains, zonality appears as the altitudinal belts. Terrestrial vegetation is represented by several types, which characterize the great biomes. More Details...

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Vegetation Communities
  Vegetation Zones
    Tundra
    Forest
      Forest State Account
      Natural Hazards
    Steppes
    Deserts
    Swamps
    Alluvial

General Characteristics
  Paleogeographical Variants
  Early Succession

Phytomass Characteristics
  Total storage
  Above Ground (living)
  Above Ground (dead)
  Below Ground (living)
  Below Ground (dead)
  Ratio:Above/Below
  Net Primary Production
  Cropland & Pastures
  Forest