Classification of the non-forest woody vegetation and its relation to habitat conditions: case study from White Carpathians (Western Slovakia)

Non-forest woody vegetation (scattered greenery) is currently a common feature of the rural European landscape and provides important ecosystem services. This study presents the statistically based classification of non-forest woody vegetation at the local level according to its structural characteristics mapped in the field. Using hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis, four groups (clusters) of non-forest woody vegetation were detected. Relation of groups of non-forest woody vegetation to altitude, slope gradient and distance from settlements was found, although differences in these factors between groups are small. Moreover, differences in spatial structure in terms of landscape ecology among groups of non-forest woody vegetation were examined and considerable differences among groups were recognized when comparing basic landscape metrics. Presented classification covers unique local or sub-regional groups of non-forest woody vegetation, but it is not sufficient for the national level. For this purpose, it is advocate advised that additional data be collected and official evidence of existing non-forest woody vegetation be generated.