Phytogeography

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Phytogeography, also called geobotany, is the branch of biogeography that is concerned with the geographic distribution of plant species, or more generally, plants. Phytogeography is concerned with all aspects of plant distribution, from the controls on the distribution of individual species ranges to the factors that govern the composition of entire communities and floras.

1 Overview
2 History
3 See also
- 3.1 References

[edit] Overview

The basic data element of phytogeography are specimen records. These are collected individual plants like this one, a Cinnamon Fern, collected in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina.

The basic data elements of phytogeography are occurrence records (presence or absence of a species) with operational geographic units such as political units or geographical coordinates. These data are often used to construct phytogeographic provinces (floristic provinces) and elements.

The questions and approaches in phytogeography are largely shared with zoogeography, except zoogeography is concerned with animal distribution rather than plant distribution. The term phytogeography itself suggests a broad meaning. How the term is actually applied by practicing scientists is apparent from periodicals using the term. The American Journal of Botany, a monthly primary research journal, frequently publishes a section titled Systematics, Phytogeography, and Evolution. Topics covered in the American Journal of Botany Sytematics and Phytogeography section include phylogeography, distribution of genetic variation and, historical biogeography, and general plant species distribution patterns. Biodiversity patterns are not heavily covered.

[edit] History

Phytogeography has a long history. One of the subjects earliest proponents was Prussian naturalist Alexander Von Humboldt, (September 14, 1769 – May 6, 1859) who is often referred to as the "father of phytogeography". Von Humboldt advocated a quantitative approach to phytogeography that has characterized modern plant geography.