The Macroscopic Characteristics of Distribution of Global Terrestrial Biota—Biogeographical Regionalization Research III

Abstract

In order to analyze the distributional law of terrestrial organisms, we analyzed the global distribution pattern of animals, plants and microorganisms using multivariate similarity clustering analysis method, and gradually clarified and confirmed several macroscopic features of the biota distribution. The distribution of biological species is likely to be disconnected, but the change of the floristic or faunal composition between regions is continuous; the farther the distance, the greater the difference. The similarity of a geographical area is only highest with adjacent areas, and its clustering object can only be adjacent areas. This restrictive condition brings convenience for geographic regionalization; biological distribution is not balanced. The richer biodiversity areas can play a key role in the clustering analysis. Their cohesion and independence are the inner motive power of biological regional formation. Although a geographic area's species diversity increases with the deepening of the research, its floristic or faunal composition is relatively stable, to ensure the stability of distributional pattern and measurability of biogeographical regionalization. Though different evolution periods between animals, plants and fungus, life form and manner of metabolism were different, their global distribution patterns were the same. This homogeneity will promote the reveal of biological distributional law and the development of biological geography.