Range (biology)

A distribution area, in the jargon often called area, is that area (or several areas) of the earth's surface, in which a particular plant or animal lives and was determined by observations. The term distribution area is also used for ecological communities. The distribution area is kind of a proven "residence" of a species or taxon. In distinction to this is the habitat of a region that prevail in the suitable living conditions.

The area customer ( chorology ) deals with the typing of areas and the causal analysis that led to the areas.

• Historical and genetically: "Is the distribution limit a traveling frontier? "; this, see Migrating
• Actualistic: "Is the distribution limit a power limit? "; see ecozone, altitude level, in crops and animals: Ecumenism / Subökumene / Anökumene

A distinction is closed and disjoint areas ( areas that consist of one or more self-contained sub-areas ). These can be the same size, or smaller enclaves be (dissemination Islands) as the main area. They may be relics or outpost. Areas change their size and shape in the course of the floras and vegetation history, more recently, under the influence of human activities ( construction, straightening, etc.).

These observations are now mostly - on the exact location, time, observers, and detailed circumstances in detail - collected in databases and analyzed for so-called distribution maps. If the database is associated with a software that analyzes the data going on, linked to other data and can be output in various ways, one speaks of a geographic information system.