Vegetation classification and vegetation mapping in the Himalayas

In the introduction the history of botanical exploration of the Himalayas is considered starting from the late XVIII^th century up to present time. The next part of the article is devoted to the history of vegetation mapping proper. Vegetation maps relating to the Himalayas as a whole and to its different parts are enumerated including the vegetation map of Nepal in 8 sheets at scale 1 : 2 500 000 by the author (1971 to 1985) and his two large-scale maps (1 : 50 000) covering small areas in Eastern and Central Nepal (1974 and 1977).

The above vegetation maps have been constructed using the basic concepts of vegetation level and vegetation series by Gaussen and Ozenda along with the biogeographic concept taking into account the diversity of flora and vegetation. The concept of vegetation level reflects the altitudinal zonation of vegetation, 11 vegetation levels being distinguished in Central Himalayas. The other basic concept is that of vegetation series depicting the dynamics of vegetation cover with respect to human activity. One series includes all the vegetation types which terminate, by natural evolution, in one climax vegetation type (potential vegetation). For Nepal about 100 vegetation series have been described and mapped.