Contents: Preface. 1. Biogeography : scope and development. 2. Life in the past ages. 3. Plants and their classification. 4. Plants and their environment. 5. Atmospheric factors influencing the biota. 6. Edaphic factors influencing the biota. 7. Anthropogenic effects on the biota. 8. Plant dispersal and floristic regions. 9. Major biomes of the world-forests. 10. Major biomes of the world-grasslands. 11. Nature and classification of animals. 12. Zoogeographical regions of the old world. 13. Zoogeographical regions of the new world. 14. Animal dispersal and migration. 15. The aquatic fauna. 16. Wildlife : management and conservation. Index.

"Biogeography is the vital link between natural and social sciences and an important tool to place both of them in the right perspective. This book delineates the fundamental principles of the biospheric systems of our planet in the context of which an understanding of the myriad environmental factors that lead to a close relationship with mankind is established. Geographical in approach and assuming a little knowledge of biology, ecology or soil science, this book provides the datum line to discern the complex inter-relationships that exist between nature through plants, soil, animals and human beings.

"The focus of this book is on the basic characteristics and distribution patterns of plant communities, their soil and the associated animal life—the chief components of the biosphere. It has been primarily written for university students and the content has been presented in a lucid and incisive style, dealing at length and in detail to enable the student to get a clear understanding of the subject. Visual aids in the form of diagrams and a bibliography to motivate students to read further have been added.

"As this provides a systematic and concise analysis of the biosphere, it will undoubtedly be useful to all those studying biogeography and also all those teaching it." (jacket)