Overview
- Richly illustrated with over 300 color photographs
- Based on the authors numerous research surveys throughout the Dolomites
- Includes comprehensive data of the Dolomite plant associations
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
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Table of contents (22 chapters)
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Front Matter
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The Human Habitat
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Front Matter
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Natural Forests and Meadows on the Valley Floor and in the Montane Habitat
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Front Matter
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The Subalpine Habitat: The Coniferous Forest Belt
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Front Matter
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Alpine Vegetation on Granite, Porphyry, and Volcanic Rock
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Front Matter
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The Ascent Toward the Cliffs: The Screes
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Front Matter
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Alpine Vegetation on Dolomite and Limestones
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Front Matter
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Keywords
About this book
The landscape and vegetation of the Dolomites have characteristics that are very particular. Some 2300 species live here, about a fifth of the flora in Europe as a whole. This book depicts what the plant cover of the Dolomites is composed of, how it was formed, and what future evolution may bring. The data presented is based on the authors’ combined botanical research, which consists of thousands of surveys throughout the entire region of the Dolomites.
To explain the vegetation, 106 plant communities are described in detailed datasheets. Biological, geological, climatic and physical-chemical parameters are given for each plant community, including a description of the habitat, the indicator species, the floristic composition, distribution, conservation, and alteration risks, as well as a distribution map and a photo of the association. The associations are grouped into habitats, such as the human habitat, natural forests and meadows on the valley floor, the coniferous forestbelt, screes, alpine vegetation on granite, porphyry, and volcanic rock, as well as on dolomite and limestones. In closing, the authors make a case for using the scientific information provided in the book for the conservation of the Dolomites, the heritage of all humanity.
Additional in-depth analysis will be presented in the supplementary volumes “Plant Life of the Dolomites: Vegetation Tables” and “Plant Life of the Dolomites: Atlas of Flora.”
Reviews
From the book reviews:
“This book aims to be more than simply a phytosociological description of the vegetation of the Dolomites. … Each habitat chapter begins with a general introduction, including highly detailed descriptions with excellent illustrations, of the ecological and environmental conditions associated with that habitat. … Each vegetation description, and indeed each chapter, is illustrated with excellent photographs and distribution maps, and overall the book is a beautiful object … . it is simply a lovely book.” (Rob Brooker, Mountain Research and Development (MRD), Vol. 35 (1), February, 2015)
“The book represents an extraordinary wealth of information. The layout with numerous beautiful colour photographs, instructive tables, maps, diagrams and flow charts … is not only nice but also makes the information easily accessible and comparable. … The book is the first comprehensive modern vegetation overview of a larger region, both within Italy and for the Alps in general, and hopefully will inspire others to follow this pioneer work.” (Jürgen Dengler, Bulletin of the European Dry Grassland Group, Issue 24-25, November, 2014)
“The amount of information held here is absolutely colossal, written by enthusiasts who know the area well. Whether you’re interested in individual plant species, or in seeing how the communities fit within the wider landscape, there will be something here for you. The love of the area comes through in the writing and there are even three suggested itineraries ‘for getting to know the flora of the Dolomites’. A wonderful book to become lost in.” (Peter Thomas, The Bulletin, Vol. 45, August, 2014)Authors and Affiliations
About the authors
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Plant Life of the Dolomites
Book Subtitle: Vegetation Structure and Ecology
Authors: Erika Pignatti, Sandro Pignatti
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31043-0
Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Naturmuseum Südtirol 2014
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-642-31042-3Published: 23 December 2013
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-662-50141-2Published: 23 August 2016
eBook ISBN: 978-3-642-31043-0Published: 05 December 2013
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXXVII, 771
Number of Illustrations: 487 b/w illustrations, 16 illustrations in colour
Additional Information: Jointly published with the Museum of Nature South Tyrol as “Publication of the Museum of Nature South Tyrol Nr. 8”
Topics: Plant Ecology, Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography, Plant Physiology, Terrestial Ecology, Biogeosciences