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System Title |
5.11 Terrestrial Ecosystem Classification by Meurk & Shaw |
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| Keywords | Terrestrial ecosystems; classification; vegetation; bioclimatic zone; landforms. |
| Description | This is a hierarchical terrestrial ecosystem classification system with
the following proposed layers:
Two vegetation classification options are offered both as a series of nested pick lists. The first is a hybrid between vegetation classes and lists of physionomically dominant genera and species that characterize all vegetation types known to the authors. This is called the "comprehensive version". This system attempts to describe mixed growth forms. The second option is a "summary of vegetation classes" which deals only with pure stands of a single growth form type. This "short version" is probably more practical with current levels of understanding. The system is still in a draft form which the authors intend to finalize once contributions have been received from others and the sponsor's directions are clarified. |
| Original Purpose | The classification system was designed as part of a Department of Conservation project to develop a standardized ecosystem classification for biodiversity conservation. This required the development of a hierarchical classification system to a level of detail that aided biodiversity conservation priority setting |
| Status | Developed in 1994 : still with draft status |
| Organisation | Department of Conservation |
| Jurisdiction | New Zealand |
| Contact person/position | Dr. Colin Meurk, Scientist |
| Address | Landcare Research Ltd Box 69 Lincoln 8152 Phone +64 3 325 6701 Fax +64 3 325 2418 Email MeurkC@landcare.cri.nz |
| Available format | Draft report |
| Access | Available on request |
| Geographical coverage | New Zealand |
Operational Specifications |
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|---|---|
| Scale of Operation | Primarily at the detailed scale. It is intended that data can be aggregated upwards. |
| GIS Compatibility | Intended |
| Relationship between levels in the classification system | Hierarchical relationship between the levels |
| Contributing databases/classification systems | N/A |
| Contributing database GIS compatibility | N/A |
| Relationship with other classification systems and spatial frameworks. | This system modifies the protected natural area programme classification
system. Its major point of difference is the provision of much more detail
for vegetation classification.
The major difference between this classification and Atkinson's vegetation classification is that the vegetation types (Atkinson) are described by the worker without reference to a list of choices, while Meurk and Shaw confine choices to two picklists of different levels of complexity |
| Relationship with other databases | N/A |
Current and emerging use for: |
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|---|---|
| Assisting with determining historic state/ baseline | N/A |
| Assisting with determining current state/ baseline | The system can be used to describe current condition of terrestrial biodiversity. |
| Asssisting with scenario building and modelling of possible futures | N/A |
| Risk Assesment | It should be possible to identify areas of risk because of their biological communities. |
| Monitoring site selection and sample design | The system could be used for site selection purposes. |
| Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally and/or nationally | This is generally a hierarchical system and so it is possible to aggregate data upwards. Provided that adequate data had been collected it should be possible to report locally, regionally or nationally. |
Current use (who,level,why)
The system was developed for the Department of Conservation. There are no current users.
User friendliness/public and decision maker understanding
Trained users should be able to follow the system. The differences in name construction between this system and Atkinson's vegetation classification may be confusing.
Framework strengths
- It is comprehensive for terrestrial ecosystems
- It builds on existing classification systems
- It is designed as part of a comprehensive ecosystem classification project addressing terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Current limitations of framework
- The system is still in a draft format.
- It changes some of the naming conventions in Atkinsons vegetation classification. This could be confusing.
- The system is relatively complex.
References
Meurk,C. Shaw,W. 1994. Terrestrial. Pp 6-40 in Ecosystem classification for biodiversity conservation - draft for discussion. Peter Lawless (editor). Department of Conservation: Wellington.