Vegetation Classification and Survey (VCS): Editors’ Choice of the third quarter of 2024

Prepared by Jürgen Dengler (on behalf of the VCS Chief Editor)

Vegetation Classification and Survey (VCS) has completed the third quarter of the 5th volume, containing in total four articles (see list below). Among these, the Chief Editors selected the contribution by Gopar-Merino et al. (2024) as the Editors’ Choice article. This research paper is part of the Special Collection “Neotropical vegetation”, published in collaboration with IAVS’ Regional Section for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Fernando Gopar-Merino and colleagues prepared a map of the natural vegetation of Mexico. They did this by combining the bioclimatic classification (thermo- and ombrotypes) of the country with a coarse formation typology of three main physiognomies (forest, shrubland, herbaceous and non-vascular vegetation). Since not all combinations exist and some were aggregated, the resulting typology contains 17 types. Most widespread are the “Infra-thermo-meso-supratropical arid shrublands”, which cover large parts of northern Mexico. The study represents an important baseline work for the further exploration of the vegetation of this hyper-diverse country.

Finally, we would like to remind you that for submissions until 31 December 2024, IAVS members still benefit from highly subsidized article processing charges (APCs), meaning that IAVS members from low- to medium-income countries can publish for free and those from high-income countries with an 85% discount on the regular APCs of 2000 EUR, i.e. they pay only 300 EUR. For submissions from 1 January 2025 onwards, there are still subsidies for IAVS members, but at a lower level. Then, IAVS members from high-income countries will have to pay 1000 EUR, and those from medium-income countries will have to pay 500 EUR for standard articles, while those from low-income countries will continue to benefit from a full waiver of APCs.

All articles of Volume 5, 3rd quarter

• Gopar-Merino, F., Velazquez, A., González-Pérez, A., del Río, S., Mas, J.F. & Penas, Á. (2024) A coupled cartographic approach between bioclimatology and vegetation formations of Mexico. Vegetation Classification and Survey 5: 153-164. https://doi.org/10.3897/VCS.120442
• Dengler, J., Bergmeier, E. & Vassilev, K. (2024) Proposal (39) to conserve the name Koelerietalia splendentis Horvatić 1973 as a nomen conservandum. Vegetation Classification and Survey 5: 165–167. https://doi.org/10.3897/VCS.127873
• Dengler, J. (2024) Determinants of citation impact. Vegetation Classification and Survey 5: 169–177. https://doi.org/10.3897/VCS.126956, see vegsciblog post.
• Ermakov, N. & Theurillat, J.-P. (2024) Comments on nomenclature of the order Rhododendro tomentosi-Laricetalia gmelinii and validation of the alliance Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae. Vegetation Classification and Survey 5: 179–184. https://doi.org/10.3897/VCS.126091