The natural ecosystems of any area represents the outcome of eons of experience in dealing with the climate and impacts at that place.

If the area or landscape in question is fortunate enough to contain some representative element, excellent! If something remains, though in a degraded condition, it is still useful, there will be many lessons to be learned.

If nothing remains, look to history, books, stories, and local experience build up an idea of what the land once sustained. Observe the ecosystems and the patterns of biodiversity in the area to be treated.

Principle 1 Observe and record

Record the species and ecosystems present in the area under treatment. The initial data will assist in setting a baseline against which future observations their changes can be evaluated. Recording is also of importance in evaluating the management activity and in maintaining a management history.

It is important to record the physiognomic formula for the vegetation types on the land. The structure of the system will demonstrate a wide range of different architectural responses varying from trees to lianas. While it is useful to appreciate that there may be differences between juvenile and adult forms, the primary design consideration will centre on the adult form. Thus the crown occupying an emergent position or continuous, interrupted or patchy coverage in terms of the shade afforded should be recorded. Other growth forms are similarly recorded (table 1) .

Further, the description of the leaves , if required should follow the noemenclature described below (fig 2 and 3).

Principle 1 Observe and record

Table 1, Variables for constructing Physiognomic Formula of Vegetation.

• A. Growth Form Categories

•

• Basic Growth Forms ( Tree) :

•

• Broadleaf Evergreens B

• Broadleaf Deciduous D

• Needleleaf evergreen E

• Needleleaf Deciduous N

•

• Special Growth Forms (non Tree)

•

•

• Palms P

• Climbers (Lianas) C

• Succulent plants (Cactacae etc) K

• Rhizomatous plants (Heliconia etc) R

• Rosette plants (Agave,,Bromilia etc) S

• Bamboos V

• Ferns F

• Epiphytes X

• Lichens, Mosses L

• Parasites M

• Graminoids (Grasses) G

• Forbs/low bushes (annuals) A

• Forbs/low bushes (perennials) H

• Leaf Characteristics

• Leaf texture

• Hard h

• Soft s

• Succulent k

• Leaf size

• Large (over 12.5 cms) l

• Medium ( 12.6-7.5cms) m

• Small (7.6-2.5cms) w

• Nannophyll (under 2.5cms) t

• Leaf Surface

• Hairy e

• Smooth f

• Coarse g

• B. Structural Categories

• Height Class

• 9 = Greater than 35m

• 8 = 25-35m

• 7 = 15-24m

• 6 = 10-14m

• 5 = 5-10m

• 4 = 2-5m

• 3 = 0.5-2m

• 2 = 0.1-0.5m

• 1 = less then 0.1m

• Coverage

• Coverage class

• Continuous (over 75 %) c

• Interrupted (50-75 %) i

• Patchy (25-50%) p

• Rare (6-25%) r

• Sporadic (1-6%) b

• Almost absent (<1%) a

Application of the formula :

• B9bhl, B8ism,B6ism,B4psl; P7rhl,P4rsl; C2-7bsl; F2rsl:X6-8psl-m: H2bsm

• The forest has four canopies of trees An emergent canopy rising over 35 meters, sporadic, with large, hard leaves, a second canopy between 25-35 meters interrupted with soft medium sized leaves, a third canopy at 10-14 meters interrupted with soft medium leaves and a final canopy at 4-5 meters in a patchy distribution with soft large leaves ; It has two layers of palms, one at 15-24 meters with large hard leaves, another at 2-5 meters with soft large leaves ; It has climbers that are sporadic on the trees extending from 0.1 -24meters with soft large leaves ; there is a layer of ferns at with large soft leaves at 0.1-0.5 meters ; Epiphytes are present at heights of 10-35 meters with large to medium sized soft leaves ; Low growing perennial bushes with soft medium sized leaves are found from 0.1-0.5 meters .

• If this forest is cleared and converted to a pasture with only the tall trees left standing we would record a formula that states :

• B9bhl ; G3csl.

• Suggesting that the area has a few tall trees with canopies rising to over 35 meters ; and covered with a continuous cover of grasses at 0.5-2 meters

•

• Thus, if we want to design a system analogous to what was lost we compare the two formulas for a ‘gap analysis’ and try to find growth forms that match the missing components ie :

• B8ism,B6ism,B4psl; P7rhl,P4rsl; C2-7bsl; F2rsl:X6-8psl-m: H2bsm

•

Figure 1 Leaf Shapes

Figure 2 Leaf composition and margins