The Physiognomic Formula in Analog Forestry

Module Objective

Learn to use the physiognomic formula to describe easily and quickly the structure of the climax forest, the Analog Forestry site and from any other site.

What is the physionomic formula

• The physionomic formula of the vegetation is a tool that allow to obtain in an easy and fast way a description, with symbols, the structure of the tree component and non-tree component of the area.

How to use the physionomic formula

The Physionomic Formula is used to describe an area, parcel, climax forest or other type of natural system with letters and numbers that represent all kinds of woody plants, non-woody, special growth and coverage as these are in the area where a Forest Garden will be established.

Source: (1)

Source (drawing): Jenny DeMarco

Example of a physionomic formulaV8r, V7e, V6p, V5i; G2c; C2-7e; B6p; X6r; P7r.

Formula for the Physionomic Description of the Vegetation

A. Growth by categoriesA. Gowth by categories1. Basic Growth Forms

SymbolWoody plantsEvergreen broadleavedDeciduous broadleavedNeedle leaved evergreenNeedle leaved deciduousWithout leavesMixedNon woody plantsGraminoidFernsHerbaceous plantsLichens and mosses

VDENOM

GFHL

A. Growth by categories1. Basic Growth Forms. Woody plants

Form Description

V Evergreen broadleaved: Plants whose leaves are renewed gradually over a year. They stay green all year round (perennial) and broadleaf

D Deciduous broadleaved: Tree whose leaves are off the end of the period of growth or at maturity (deciduous)

E Needle leaved evergreen: Plants with needle-shaped leaves evergreen.

V

D

E

1. Basic Growth Forms. Woody plants

Form Description

N Needle leaved deciduous: Plants with needle-shaped leaves that emerge in periods or seasons.

O Without leaves: Plants that have no leaves, mainly dry forest species or in summer time.

M Mixed: A mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees present in the same area.

A. Growth by categories

O

MN

A. Growth by categories1. Basic Growth Forms. Non-woody plants

Form Description

G Graminoid: Grasses and similar plants. For example, grass, corn, rice, bamboo.

F Ferns: plants that only reproduce by spores, and without seeds, flowers and fruits. They prefer a climate with uniform temperatures and high humidity conditions.

H Herbaceous plants: Having characteristics of grass (plant with no wooden stem and non-persistent). It is also commonly seen in aquatic and terrestrial habitats (2).

L Lichens and Mosses: Organisms, primary colonizers in almost all ecosystems. Pioneers in the formation of soil for the subsequent arrival of other plant organisms.

G

L

H

F

2. Special Growth FormsClimbers (vines)Succulents (Cactus)Leafy bushesBunches (Banana)BambooEpiphytePalm trees

CSURBXP

Formula for the Physionomic Description of the Vegetation


2. Special growth forms

Form Description

C Climbers: Plant that, can avail of itself to sustain themselves erect, including on other plants, a wall, a cliff (2).

S Suculentas (cactus): Succulent (cactus) and succulents, those that have developed stems or thick and fleshy leaves to store water in their bodies.

U Leafy bushes: Small woody plants with many stems and leaves.

R Bunches (banana): plants with fruit in clusters, some of them are better known as Musa (Banana).


C

S

R

2. Special Growth Forms

Form Description

B Bamboo: plant belonging to the grasses, with woody stems normally in the form of hollow reed. Useful for crafts.

X Epiphytes: plant that lives on another plant if feeding on her, their diversity and forms are extremely broad. Used in floral arrangements.

P Palm trees: usually with a single stem with leaves showy flowers are usually pollinated by insects, especially beetles, bees and flies.

A. Gowth by categories

B

X

P

Formula Fisionómica de la Vegetación

B. Structure category1. Height (EStratification)

8 = > 35 m7 = 20 – 35 m6 = 10 – 20 m5 = 5 – 10 m4 = 2 – 5 m

3 = 0.5 – 2 m2 = 0.1 – 0.5 m

1 = < 0.1m

B. Structure Category

8 = > 35 m

1 = < 0.1m

2 = 0.1 – 0.5 m

3 = 0.5 – 2 m

4 = 2 – 5 m

5 = 5 – 10 m

6 = 10 – 20 m

7 = 20 – 35 m

2. Cover (Surface percentaje)Continuous (>75%)Interrupted (50 - 75%)Patches (25 - 50%)Rare (de 6 a 25%)Sporadic (1 - 6%)Almost absent (< 1%)

ciprea

Formula Fisionómica de la Vegetación

B. Structure Category

Less than 1%Almost absent (a)

Cover (Surface percentaje)

1-6%Sporadic (e)


6-25%Rare (r)


25-50%Patches (p)


50-75%Interrupted (i)


Over 75%Continuous (c)


References• (2) Kappelle, M.

http://attila.inbio.ac.cr:7777/pls/portal30/INBIO_BIODICTIONARY.DYN_WORD_LIST.show?p_arg_names=_show_header&p_arg_values=YES&p_arg_names=pLetra&p_arg_values=g



The Physiognomic Formula in Analog Forestry

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