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Biogeography

Biogeography is the study of the distribution of organisms—animals, plants, and microorganisms—and how they interact with their environment. Biogeography seeks to explain the patterns of diversity of species across the Earth, the factors that have influenced the development of those patterns, and the processes that have shaped the geographic ranges of species over time. Understanding biogeography allows us to better comprehend the interactions between organisms and their environment, and to predict how these interactions may change in the future.

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Biogeography is the study of the distribution of organisms—animals, plants, and microorganisms—and how they interact with their environment. Biogeography seeks to explain the patterns of diversity of species across the Earth, the factors that have influenced the development of those patterns, and the processes that have shaped the geographic ranges of species over time. Understanding biogeography allows us to better comprehend the interactions between organisms and their environment, and to predict how these interactions may change in the future.

Why Study Biogeography?

There are many reasons why someone might want to learn about biogeography:

  • To satisfy their curiosity. Biogeography is a fascinating field of study that can help us understand the world around us. By learning about biogeography, you can gain a deeper understanding of the incredible diversity of life on Earth, and how it has changed over time.
  • To meet academic requirements. Biogeography is a common topic of study in biology, ecology, and environmental science courses. If you are pursuing a degree in one of these fields, you will likely need to learn about biogeography.
  • To use biogeography to develop their career and professional ambitions. Biogeography can be used to inform conservation and management decisions, as well as to understand the spread of invasive species. If you are interested in working in these fields, learning about biogeography can give you a competitive edge.

How Online Courses Can Help You Learn Biogeography

There are many ways to learn about biogeography, including taking online courses. Online courses can be a great way to learn about biogeography because they offer a flexible and convenient way to learn. You can learn at your own pace, and you can fit learning into your busy schedule.

Online courses can also help you develop a more comprehensive understanding of biogeography. Through lecture videos, projects, assignments, quizzes, exams, discussions, and interactive labs, online courses can help you engage with this topic and develop a deeper understanding of it.

Here are some of the skills and knowledge that you can gain from online courses on biogeography:

  • An understanding of the major concepts of biogeography, such as species distribution, habitat selection, and dispersal
  • An ability to identify and describe the different biogeographic regions of the world
  • An understanding of the factors that have influenced the development of biogeographic patterns, such as climate, geology, and human activity
  • An ability to use biogeographic data to make predictions about the future distribution of species

Are Online Courses Alone Enough to Fully Understand Biogeography?

While online courses can be a helpful learning tool, they are not enough to fully understand biogeography. In order to fully understand this topic, you will need to supplement your online learning with other resources, such as textbooks, journal articles, and field experience. You may also want to consider taking a biogeography course at a local college or university.

Careers in Biogeography

There are many different careers that you can pursue with a background in biogeography. Some of the most common careers include:

  • Biogeographer: Biogeographers study the distribution and abundance of organisms, and how these patterns are influenced by environmental factors.
  • Ecologist: Ecologists study the interactions between organisms and their environment. Biogeography is a subfield of ecology that focuses on the geographic distribution of organisms.
  • Conservation biologist: Conservation biologists work to protect and restore endangered species and their habitats. Biogeography can help conservation biologists identify areas that are important for conservation, and to develop strategies for protecting these areas.

Path to Biogeography

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Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Biogeography.
This comprehensive introductory textbook includes modern topics such as DNA barcoding and phylogenetics, and explores metacommunity and macroevolutionary approaches to studying biogeography.
This comprehensive encyclopedia provides detailed information on all aspects of biogeography.
This classic work in biogeography established the theoretical framework for understanding the species-area relationship and the equilibrium theory of island biogeography.
This textbook provides practical information for conservationists on applying biogeographic principles to real-world conservation problems.
Introduces the field of macroecology to biologists and ecologists, and shows how the field has revolutionized the study of species and ecosystems across space and time.
This concise and accessible introduction to biogeography covers the field's core concepts and explores the latest research on topics such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
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