In this article we will discuss about the study of community structure. A "vegetation is the sum total of plants covering an area" (Weaver and Clements, 1966) which generally consists of a number of communities. According to Benton and Werner (1974) "a biological community consists of all the organisms living together in an interrelated fashion in a given environment". Biological [...]
The following points highlight the five methods of sampling plant communities. The methods are: 1. Transect Method 2. Bisect 3. Trisect 4. Ring Counts 5. Quadrat Method. 1. Transect Method: When the vegetation is to be studied along an environmental gradient or eco-tone (e.g. tropical to temperate, high or low rainfall areas or precipitation gradient, adjacent areas with different types [...]
Data essential for different ecological characterization of a vegetation or a plant community needs detailed survey of the area. A preliminary survey or reconnaissance precedes intensive work in any particular area. During the primary survey of a vegetation the following criteria are generally observed: 1. Distribution of different communities and such other ecological groups, 2. Different climatic, edaphic and topographic [...]