vegetáció

Vegetation, or vegetáció in Hungarian, refers to the plant life occurring in a region or ecosystem, including all living members: trees, shrubs, grasses, herbs, and their ground cover. It is characterized by structure, composition, and function.

Major vegetation forms include forests, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, wetlands, tundra, and deserts. Vegetation exhibits vertical stratification with layers such as canopy, understory, shrub layer, herb layer, and ground cover. Its composition describes which species occur and their abundance; function includes productivity and nutrient cycling.

Distribution is governed by climate (precipitation, temperature, seasonality), soils (fertility, texture, drainage), topography, disturbances (fire, storms), and human land use. Researchers use field surveys and remote sensing to measure cover and health, with indicators like the NDVI providing estimates of productivity.

Vegetation plays key ecological and societal roles. It supports primary production and habitats, preserves genetic resources, stores carbon, drives soil formation and water regulation, and shapes local microclimates. It underpins agriculture, forestry, and a range of ecosystem services, while providing cultural and aesthetic value.

Threats to vegetation include deforestation, land conversion, climate change, and invasive species. Conservation approaches emphasize protected areas, restoration ecology, sustainable management, and ongoing monitoring of change.