biogeography

[ bahy-oh-jee-og-ruh-fee ]

noun

, Ecology.

1. the study of the geographical distribution of living things.

biogeography

/ ˌbaɪəʊdʒɪˈɒɡrəfɪ; ˌbaɪəʊˌdʒɪəˈɡræfɪkəl /

noun

1. the branch of biology concerned with the geographical distribution of plants and animals

biogeography

/ bī′ō-jē-ŏg′rə-fē /

1. The scientific study of the geographic distribution of plant and animal life. Factors affecting distribution include the geologic history of a region, its climate and soil composition, and the presence or absence of natural barriers like deserts, oceans, and mountains. Biotic factors such as interactions among competing species, coevolutionary influences, and the reproductive and nutritional requirements of populations and species are also studied.
2. ◆ A biogeographic region is a large, generally continuous division of the Earth's surface having a distinctive biotic community. Biogeographic regions are usually defined separately for floral and faunal communities and are largely restricted to the terrestrial areas of the Earth.

Derived Forms

• ˌbioˌgeoˈgraphically, adverb
• biogeographical, adjective

Other Words From

• bio·ge·ogra·pher noun
• bi·o·ge·o·graph·ic [bahy-oh-jee-, uh, -, graf, -ik], bio·geo·graphi·cal adjective
• bio·geo·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of biogeography¹

First recorded in 1890–95; bio- + geography

Example Sentences

The molecular tree has these colors grouped together better than the morphological tree, indicating closer agreement of the molecules to biogeography.

From Singularity Hub 

Hamdan studies deep sea biogeography—particularly, how shipwrecks change the biodiversity of the ocean floor.

From Popular-Science

One of Ed’s most productive collaborations was with Robert MacArthur, an ecologist with mathematical training, leading to their landmark 1967 book The Theory of Island Biogeography.

From Nautilus

Much more important to Vavilov than the accolades was his small empire of institutes and field stations devoted to the study of the biogeography, genetics, and evolution of domesticated crops.

From Nautilus

Bird watching triggered his lifelong pursuits of evolution and biogeography, as well as conservation.

From The Daily Beast

They illustrate the phenomenon known as island biogeography.

From The Daily Beast