Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
PLANT GEOGRAPHY
C H A P T E R T E N
The preceding chapter focused on the geographical distribution of global climates. One way this distribution
was illustrated was by showing the type of vegetation in a particular climate zone. Dense forests occur in humid
regions, for example, because it is sufficiently wet in these zones to support extensive stands of trees. In contrast,
vegetation is quite sparse in a place like the Sahara Desert because it is very dry.
With the foundation of climate in mind, this chapter focuses more specifically on the geographical distribution
of plants on Earth and the variables that influence these patterns. As a result, this point marks an important transi-
tion within this text because the discussion turns entirely to the patterns of environmental variables
on the ground
rather than within the atmosphere or oceans. The remainder of this topic focuses on these kinds of geographic
distributions through the study of variables such as soils, rivers, and the landscapes shaped by tectonic forces,
wind, and ice. For now, this chapter will illustrate why particular kinds of plant communities occur where they do
on Earth.
