Vegetation
The vegetation is an umbrella term for the ground cover of a landscape or part of a landscape - such as a mountain slope - by plants ranging from grass and bushes to trees . On the other hand, moss-like cover or lichen are generally not included.
The soil water balance and the resistance to mudslides or avalanches , as well as to various types of erosion, depend on the vegetation .
Bio- and pedology examine the relationships between plants and soil formation with the geological subsoil (B and C horizon ), the water conditions and the soil organisms (soil flora and fauna).
In contrast, hydrology and water management investigate the complex of stratigraphy - soil - vegetation - slope and groundwater - drinking water ; civil engineering and geotechnical engineering use artificial vegetation with suitable low vegetation to stabilize cuttings, slopes or dams . Under difficult conditions, the plantings are supported by geotextiles (fleece).
While the vegetation was recorded on site in the past, remote sensing from airplanes and satellites is more important today . The remote sensing methods make use of the spectrally different reflection of the light, especially in the infrared .
The vegetation and its spatial and temporal changes can reveal some things about the subsurface: remains of walls that are interesting for archeology , etc., chemical anomalies , underground cavities, mineral deposits and others.
See also
- Tree line , forest , protective forest , weeds
- Sward , root (plant)
- Floor tiles , plaike
- Overgrowth features in archeology