Potential natural vegetation
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In
Kuchler potential vegetation, is the vegetation that would be expected given environmental constraints (climate, geomorphology, geology) without human intervention or a hazard
event.
The concept was developed in the mid 1950s by
climax vegetation
.
Concrete applications
PNV is widely used in modern
renaturation projects to predict the most adapted species for a definite ecotope. Native species being considered having optimum ecological resilience for their native environment, and the best potential to enhance biodiversity
.
To determine "natural" vegetation, scientists research the
original vegetation of a land through retrospective ecology
.
Implications
Study of past ecosystems allowed to demonstrate, for instance, that numerous contemporary
biotopes (like the "wild" Slovenian forests for instance), supposedly largely untouched, were in fact very remote from their natural vegetation.[citation needed
]
In Japan,
coniferous being privileged over deciduous). On the other hand, that reforestation with "original" species gives good and often spectacular results.[citation needed
]
Maps of potential natural vegetation[1] are used worldwide for improved ecosystem comprehension and management.
Criticism
However the concept is subject to debate,bioclimatic conditions constantly evolve, it is illusory to define either a final or a primary stage of vegetation.
References
- JSTOR 1478946.
- .
- .