The Vegetation and Physiography of Sumatra

The position of Sumatra as a link between continental South East Asia and the other main Sunda islands has attracted the attention of naturalists and explorers for many centuries, but the biological richness of the island has been somewhat neglected. This volume gives a critical appraisal of the methods used in vegetation survey in the tropics, and in the utilization of geomorphology, pedology, climatology in preparing sampling procedures for the vegetation. §The proposed small-scale eco-floristic physiographical classification forms the basis for future monitoring of deforestation. A study of relationships between biophysical gradients and forest types, floristic mosaics and vegetation dynamics has enabled Laumonier to identify future study sites using phyto-ecological criteria. A great deal of information is incorporated on the structure, flora and ecological characteristics of a surprising diversity of vegetation types. The nature and diversity of Sumatran tropical forests turns out to have been insufficiently understood, leading the author to surmise that the actual modelling of forest function is premature in most cases, and that future research programmes are needed in Sumatra, if a proper balance is to be found between agricultural development and nature conservation. §Audience: An extremely important, landmark study of Malaysian vegetation, of interest to students and professionals in plant science, tropical botany, ecology, biogeography, climatology, physical geography, and remote sensing as applied to vegetation science.