4.Biogeography

Biogeography is to research various plant of geographical distribution in all over the world. It is divided into about three parts. The first part is eco geography. It is mainly taking up distribution of plants, relation to climates, classified by environment and so on. The second part is ecozone of plants. It is to research biogeographical region of plants about have been formed. The third part is historical biogeography. It is to research about what kind of influence is from an ecological condition to the distribution of plants nowadays. So, researchers studying about this need knowledge about history, biology and geography. Recently, histrorical biology is most mainly researched about biogeography research.

I’ll explain about biogeography of the world. Biogeographical regions are the divisions of the world according to the characteristic flora. The distribution of plants depends on two main factors that are ecological and geographical. The former is their adaptability to the environment and the latter is the geographical barriers limiting their distribution. However, when handling larger classification units, distribution areas common to all species belonging to the unit are recognized and division into regions becomes possible.

Floristic Region

In Japan, nowadays, flora is constituted by about 5500 species. Furthermore, there are about 250 thousands species all over the world. Japanese floras have a rich variety than nearly latitude area of the world. Past climate change effect to changing the areas of flora all over the world. Consequently, they come down the present condition.

Important Plants Community

Both the natural and cultural scenery of Japan are very variable and the two harmonize beautifully. Important scenic areas have been designated as national and quasi-national parks, and their conservation and utilization have been promoted. There are also other legal institutions to conserve nature such as natural monuments and reserve forests which also have long histories. However, as a result of the increased economic activities of recent years, disorderly and unprincipled alteration of the natural environment has occurred. For the purpose of systematic conservation and preservation of the natural environment, and endeavors to carry out nature conservation were reinforced.

Nature Conservation Areas

Finally, I think studying biogeography need a lot of knowledge about climate, history, and plant. The Japanese Archipelago is long in vertical, so floras are a lot of varieties. A lot of Plants are living as the product that is the interaction of history between a living thing and environment. Researchers should continuously study because biogeography will be changed constantly to the future.

Quotation: http://www.biodic.go.jp/reports/2-2/aa010.html

http://www.biodic.go.jp/reports/3-4/c013.html