Classification and mapping of the vegetation using field observations and remote sensing

The Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl volcanoes region is very important both from a phytogeographical and a botanical point of view due to their location within the Neovolcanic Transversal Axis. The combination of different factors favours the development of different vegetation communities that represent an important floristic richness. To be able to design and implement adequate management and conservation plans for the Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl volcanoes area, it is necessary to obtain more knowledge of the different vegetation communities occurring in the area as well as of their spatial distribution. The method applied to accomplish a vegetation classification for the area considered in the first place the gathering of field data on the plant species composition of the various forests, and secondly a TM satellite image that has been used to process a supervised classification for the area. The potential of remotely sensed satellite imagery is limited to achieve a very comprehensive supervised classification. However, vegetation classes that cover a large homogenous areas (> 1 ha) are separated through a spectral analysis, which resulted in a map that distinguishes seven major vegetation classes. Additionally, a description of most of the species present in the ground, herb and shrub layer of the main vegetation types as well as the tree-associated species has been made. An updated species list is available on the c.d.