The Human Habitat -- Natural Forests and Meadows on the Valley Floor and in the Montane Habitat -- The Subalpine Habitat: The Coniferous Forest Belt -- Alpine Vegetation on Granite, Porphyry, and Volcanic Rock -- The Ascent toward the Cliffs: The Screes -- Alpine Vegetation on Dolomite and Limestones -- Synthesis, Data Interpretation and Statistical Calculations -- Conclusions -- Appendix: The Plant Associations of the Dolomites in the Traditional Phytosociological Classification -- Glossary.

The landscape and vegetation of the Dolomites have characteristics that are very particular. Some 2300 species live here, about a fifth of the flora in Europe as a whole. This book depicts what the plant cover of the Dolomites is composed of, how it was formed, and what future evolution may bring. The data presented is based on the authors’ combined botanical research, which consists of thousands of surveys throughout the entire region of the Dolomites. To explain the vegetation, 106 plant communities are described in detailed datasheets. Biological, geological, climatic and physical-chemical parameters are given for each plant community, including a description of the habitat, the indicator species, the floristic composition, distribution, conservation, and alteration risks, as well as a distribution map and a photo of the association. The associations are grouped into habitats, such as the human habitat, natural forests and meadows on the valley floor, the coniferous forest belt, screes, alpine vegetation on granite, porphyry, and volcanic rock, as well as on dolomite and limestones. In closing, the authors make a case for using the scientific information provided in the book for the conservation of the Dolomites, the heritage of all humanity.   Additional in-depth analysis will be presented in the supplementary volumes “Plant Life of the Dolomites: Vegetation Tables” and “Plant Life of the Dolomites: Atlas of Flora.”.