Defining and mapping typological models at the landscape scale

This paper aims to discuss the role of plant sociology in the framework of ecology and biodiversity conservation, and to present an experimental approach that promotes the integration of vegetation science with landscape ecology. A new model of deductive plant sociology at the landscape level is proposed, which is rooted in the traditional approach but relates to the landscape ecology of the 'European school' for its emphasis on landscape classification. Using the case study of the Municipality of Rome, a methodological process for defining and mapping vegetation series, geosigmeta and landscape units is proposed, based on the overlay of climatic, lithomorphological, floristic and vegetation information, the latter in its syntaxonomical and dynamical aspects. At the landscape level plant sociology can significantly contribute to formalize ecological models based on complex isofunctional units and helpful in environmental management and planning.