Formalized Hierarchically Nested Expert System for Classification of Mesic and Wet Grasslands in Poland

The goal of this study was to propose a hierarchically nested classification system comprising four principal levels the Braun-Blanquet for Polish grasslands class <em>Molinio-Arrhenatheretea</em>. Using Cocktail method, we defined consistent criteria delimitation class, three orders, nine alliances, and 45 associations. Formal definitions were prepared using summed cover presence/absence information species groups individual dominant species. We created an expert with set assignment rules that unambiguously classify relevés single unit at given abstraction level in such way relevé matched by definition focal vegetation must be all superior units. Of 11,535 classified <em>Molinio-Arrhenatheretea</em>, 36% recognized association level, 57% 85% alliance order respectively. All assigned unambiguously, meaning could not more than one within same hierarchical (no overlap between units). This is first proposal classifies grassland different syntaxonomical unequivocally. It important create because majority patches do fit associations, but can only high-rank units as alliance, order, or class.