Phytogeography Overview
– Phytogeography is part of biogeography, studying plant distribution patterns and processes.
– It encompasses plant ecology, geography, sociology, and historical plant geography.
– Specimen records are fundamental data elements in phytogeography.
– Occurrence records with geographic units help construct phytogeographic provinces.
– Flora groups all plant species in specific areas or times.
History and Key Figures
– Alexander von Humboldt is the father of phytogeography.
– Alfred Russel Wallace discussed latitudinal gradients in species diversity.
– The U.S. Congress funded expeditions to discover plant distributions.
– Research focuses on species adaptation to the environment.
– Ecogeographical rules describe trait/environment relationships in plants.
Floristic Regions
– Floristics studies the flora of specific areas.
– China is known for its rich biota and earliest angiosperm megafossil.
– Floristic regions classify plant species based on distribution.
– Floristic kingdoms are significant in phytogeography.
Resources and References
– Wikimedia Commons contains media related to phytogeography.
– Clements’ ‘Plant Geography’ is a foundational book in the field.
– Encyclopedia Americana provides information on plant distribution.
– New International Encyclopedia offers historical botanical insights.
– External links and resources enhance understanding and research in phytogeography.
Utilization and Significance of Resources
– Wikimedia Commons is a repository of media files related to phytogeography.
– It offers images, videos, and resources for educational and research purposes.
– Clements’ work is a major contribution to phytogeography.
– Encyclopedia Americana and New International Encyclopedia are valuable sources for plant distribution information.
– These resources contribute to the understanding of plant geography and diversity.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2012) |
Phytogeography (from Greek φυτόν, phytón = "plant" and γεωγραφία, geographía = "geography" meaning also distribution) or botanical geography is the branch of biogeography that is concerned with the geographic distribution of plant species and their influence on the earth's surface. Phytogeography is concerned with all aspects of plant distribution, from the controls on the distribution of individual species ranges (at both large and small scales, see species distribution) to the factors that govern the composition of entire communities and floras. Geobotany, by contrast, focuses on the geographic space's influence on plants.[citation needed]