Vegetation

Vegetation is the assemblage of plant species and the ground cover they provide. It is a general term, without specific reference to particular taxa, life forms, structure, spatial extent, or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics. It is broader than the term flora which refers to species composition. Perhaps the closest synonym is plant community, but vegetation can, and often does, refer to a wider range of spatial scales than that term does, including scales as large as the global. Primeval redwood forests, coastal mangrove stands, sphagnum bogs, desert soil crusts, roadside weed patches, wheat fields, cultivated gardens and lawns; all are encompassed by the term vegetation.

Types of Vegetation

Vegetation can be classified in various ways, to serve different purposes. The main types include:

• Forest - These are large areas covered predominantly by trees and other woody vegetation. The three major forest zones are the tropical rain forest, the temperate forest, and the taiga.
• Grassland - Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous (non-woody) plants.
• Desert - Deserts are areas that receive very little rainfall. They are harsh, dry environments populated by a very limited number of plant and animal species.
• Tundra - Tundra is a type of biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons.

Importance of Vegetation

Vegetation performs a number of functions in the ecosystem. These include:

• Photosynthesis - Through photosynthesis, green plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbohydrates. This is a primary source of oxygen and food for other organisms.
• Soil Erosion Prevention - Vegetation cover acts as a physical barrier against soil erosion by wind and water.
• Habitat Provision - Vegetation provides habitat and food for a multitude of organisms, including humans.

See Also

• Flora
• Plant community
• Biome
• Ecosystem

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