Höhengliederung

Höhengliederung is a concept in physical geography and cartography referring to the systematic division of a landscape according to height above sea level and related relief characteristics. It encompasses the delineation of elevation zones, which are often described in broad terms such as lowland, foothills, mid-mountain, and high mountain, though the exact thresholds differ by region and author. In addition to altitude, factors like slope angle and relief energy may influence the classification. The purpose of Höhengliederung is to facilitate the analysis of spatial patterns in climate, hydrology, vegetation, soils, and land use, and to support planning in forestry, agriculture, conservation, and infrastructure.

Höhengliederung is commonly applied in map-making and GIS to create standardized elevation zones for regional or comparative studies. It intersects with other regionalization schemes such as land cover, substrate, and climatic zoning, allowing integrated analyses of ecological gradients and terrain-dependent processes. Because there is no universal global standard, regional authorities and research projects define their own bands and criteria, leading to variation in nomenclature and thresholds.

Typical outputs include maps that label terrain as different elevation classes or “Höhenstufen,” providing a basis for studying microclimates, vegetation zones, soil distribution, and erosion or flood risks. The concept functions as a practical framework rather than a fixed scientific category, and is adaptable to different scales and applications.