Who amongst these is considered the father of Biogeography?

Prepare for the NPTEL Wildlife Ecology Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Study with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations to enhance your understanding of ecology concepts. Get ready for success!

The title of the "father of Biogeography" is attributed to Alexander von Humboldt due to his pioneering work in understanding the geographical distribution of plants and animals. Humboldt's extensive travels and meticulous observations led him to recognize the intricate relationships between climate, topography, and biodiversity. He emphasized how physical environments influence the distribution of species, laying the foundational concepts for the field of biogeography.

His seminal work, "Kosmos," integrated observations from various disciplines, weaving together ideas about ecology, geology, and climate. Humboldt's insights into how ecosystems vary with geography, along with his emphasis on the interconnectedness of nature, helped to establish biogeography as a scientific discipline.

While Theophrastus made significant contributions to botany, Linnaeus is known for his taxonomic classification systems, and Malthus is famous for his theories on population growth. However, none of these figures addressed the geographical distribution of organisms in the systematic and holistic manner that Humboldt did, which is why he holds the distinction of being the father of biogeography.

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