Understanding properly the 'potential natural vegetation' concept

作者：Loidi Javier^*; del Arco Marcelino; Perez de Paz Pedro Luis; Asensi Alfredo; Diez Garretas Blanca; Costa Manuel; Diaz Gonzalez Tomas; Fernandez Gonzalez Federico; Izco Jesus; Penas Angel; Rivas Martinez Salvador; Sanchez Mata Daniel

来源：Journal of Biogeography, 2010, 37(11): 2209-2211.

DOI：10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02302.x

• Habitats Directive
• human impact
• phytosociology
• potential natural vegetation
• primitive vegetation
• Spain
• succession
• vegetation dynamics
• vegetation mapping
• vegetation series

This is a response to critical comments concerning the inappropriate use of the potential natural vegetation (PNV) concept made in a recent contribution to the Commentary section of this journal. We consider that the PNV concept has been misinterpreted. PNV has been used extensively in several European countries since the mid-1950s and was never intended to be used to make a prediction of what vegetation would dominate in an area if human influence were removed. PNV maps express hypothetical assumptions of what corresponds to dominant or natural vegetation in each area. Remnants of the vegetation of the past provided by palaeopalynology and other disciplines provide valuable information for interpreting modern vegetation, but natural changes and anthropogenic influences operating over the last millennia have to be taken into account. Annex I of the Habitats Directive provides a balanced list of habitat types for implementing conservation policies within the European Union.

• 出版日期2010-11