The Handbook of Vegetation Science is growing. After the first volumes und er my editorship have appeared the interest of the scientific community has been revived and many new volume editors have started their work. The present volume wasjointly designed by Drs. J. White and W. Beeftink. Due to unforseen developments Dr. White signs now as the sole editor. The development of this volume within the series had a special history as Dr. White pointsout in his preface. Adding to this I need only to state that I found it essential to include the topic of this volume into a Hand- book of Vegetation...