Abstract
Taxonomic ranks from species to superorder were evaluated for their usefulness as ecological descriptors. For qualitative or quantitative data, large or small scale, superorder descriptors retain much of the information of species. Examination of species-poor qualitative data (14 species/5 superorders, i.e. 64% fewer descriptors) resulted in group memberships of classifications as much as 87% similar. Similarly, species-rich quantitative data (208 species/23 superorders, i.e. 88% fewer descriptors) resulted in group memberships of classifications as much as 89% similar. Recognition of monophyletic higher taxa and the characteristics by which they may be recognized is recommended in view of their high information content.
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Elsol, J.A., Clifford, H.T. Higher taxonomic descriptors for vegetation classification. Vegetatio 78, 103–107 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00033420
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00033420