Preface

This book contains sixteen chapters related to various methodological aspects for the investigation of vegetation, that is, the application of different methodologies to the study of plant communities and the landscape.

The book presents studies on types of indices and different ways of understanding plant dynamics. In general, the different chapters follow two methodological currents: the purely ecological and the phytosociological. In both cases, the authors rely on other branches of knowledge, such as cartography, biogeography, bioclimatology, geology, ecophysiology, and even entomology and agronomy.

Purely methodological studies are provided, while others have a more applied nature. However, in all cases, the latest scientific advances are presented, some of which are of great environmental and socioeconomic relevance.

The editors would like to thank all the contributing authors as well as Author Service Manager Ms. Jasna Bozic at IntechOpen.

> **Dr. Eusebio Cano Carmona and Dr. Ana Cano Ortiz** University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain

#### **Dr. Ricardo Quinto Canas**

Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Center of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Portugal

**Dr. Carmelo Maria Musarella** Dipartimento di Agraria - Università "Mediterranea" di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy

Section 1 Vegetation

#### **Chapter 1**
