Phyto-geomorphic classification of the landscape |
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| Authors: | JA Howard CW Mitchell |
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| Institution: | 1. Dr. Howard is Chief, Remote Sensing Centre, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Via delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy;2. Dr. Mitchell is Lecturer in Geography at Reading University, Reading, RG6 2AU, Berkshire, England |
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| Abstract: | The subdivision of landscape into phyto-geomorphic units forms a useful basis for land resource surveys and for providing a holistic approach to potential biological productivity. This paper explains the natural basis for such units, justifies their subdivision into a hierarchy and gives definitive criteria for each categoric level. The main levels are the land zone, land division, land province, land region, land system, land catena and land facet, of which the province, system and facet are the more important. Most bear some analogy with categories recognized in pedology and plant ecology. Vegetation varies in importance in relation to landforms in land unit definition both regionally and categorically, being most important in forested areas and for certain other land categories. Sample areas in the United Kingdom, Australia and Jordan illustrate complete hierarchies of land units for different climatic zones. A simple procedure based on critical path analysis and using remotely sensed imagery, maps and other data can give a landscape analysis suitable for planning at a variety of scales. |
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