FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYTOCENOLOGY AND PLANT GEOGRAPHY - T. P. Larkina - 2017

Introduction

In the modern era, the Earth's vegetation cover is subject to intense anthropogenic pressure. Primeval plant communities are undergoing significant transformations: wetlands are being drained, deserts irrigated, forests cleared, and new cities, settlements, industrial facilities, and road networks are being constructed. This leads to the destruction of vegetation across vast areas.

In addition to natural vegetation, the globe also features cultivated vegetation, including agricultural crops, orchards, parks, and similar areas. However, the land area occupied by cultivated vegetation is disproportionately smaller than that of natural vegetation, and the latter's role is undeniably paramount. The Study of natural vegetation is the focus of two Branches of the comprehensive fundamental science of botany: phytocenology (geobotany) and plant geography (floristic geography). The former examines the Earth's vegetation as a collection of plant communities (phytocenoses), while the latter establishes the patterns of Distribution of plant species and other taxonomic categories across the Earth's surface.

These two branches are inextricably linked to each other and to such fundamental and applied scientific disciplines as plant ecology, plant genetics and breeding, resource science, forestry, crop production, meadow management, and others. A comprehensive study of natural phytocenoses and anthropogenic agrophytocenoses, combined with the search for highly productive plant species in nature, will allow us to more fully meet the growing needs of humanity while preserving the natural flora in all its richness and diversity.

This textbook is designed to develop the following competencies: The ability to apply the fundamental laws of natural sciences in professional practice, a foundational knowledge of plant geography and an understanding of The Significance of biodiversity for the Stability of the biosphere, and the ability to apply principles of Structural and functional Organization of biological objects, all of which are essential for the future professional success of bachelor's degree students.

The Need for this textbook arises from the current lack of comprehensive resources that align with the content requirements of modern curricula in phytocenology and plant geography.