Due to the joint influence of abiotic and biotic factors, the general principles of living biota distribution on the Earth are being examined in the context of the dynamics of historical development and recent conditions. The chorological approach to the research principles of phytogeography ensures the identification of characteristic ecological and biogeographical features of the major vegetation types (biomes) in relation to the complex physico-geographical conditions and the corresponding conditions formed among members of the living communities.

By acquiring basic knowledge about biogeographical principles, students will be able to continue their further education towards current applied ecological and biogeographical disciplines whose significance in contemporary conditions of environmental degradation and endangering biodiversity is undeniable and increasingly prominent. Improvement of educational component in the field of biogeography and protection of biodiversity and nature that will be implemented in the future professional work of students.

Theoretical lectures

1. Definition, aims, methods of biogeographical research and historical development; 2. The basic postulates of areography, features of geographic range, mapping of geographic range; 3. Geographic range - origins; 4. Geographic range – shapes and types, 5. Size of geographic range (cosmopolitism and endemism), time-frame of geographic range origins; 6. The basic postulates of ecology, relations in ecosystems; 7. Ecological factors (abiotic and biotic); 8. Ecoelements; 9. The general principles of distribution of basic vegetation types on the Earth; 10. The ecological and biogeographical features of basic vegetation types (biomes) on the Earth – biomes of tropical and subtropical zones; 11. Biomes of temperate latitudes; 12. Biomes of boreal and cold climate zones; 13. Principles of altitudinal (vertical) vegetation zonation; 14-15. Phytogeographical division of biosphere – floristic realms.

Practical lectures

1. The general overview of basic diversity of living organisms; 2. The general overview of systematics and taxonomy of vascular plants with basic overiew of diversity of Plant Kingdom (Plantae); 3-4. Division Coniferophyta (Pinophyta; Gymnospermae) – overview of selected species; 5. Divison Magnoliophyta – overview of selected species, 7-8. Geographical distribution of basic vegetation types – global distribution; 9. Phytogeographical division of Southeastern Europe and Balkan peninsula; 10. Types of vertical vegetation zonation of Balkan peninsula; 11. Field trip to the protected area; 12. Colloquium; 13-15. Presentations of essays.

Јанковић М., Атанацковић Б. (1999): Биогеографија са педологијом, Географски факултет, Београд.

Филиповић Д., Ђурђић С. (2008): Еколошке основе просторног планирања – практикум, Географски факултет, Београд.

Stevanović V., Vasić V. eds. (1995): Biodiverzitet Jugoslavije sa pregledom vrsta od međunarodnog značaja, Biološki fakultet, Ecolibri, Beograd.

Šilić Č. (1990): Atlas drveća i grmlja, Zavod za udžbenike i nastavna sredstva, Sarajevo i Zavod za udžbenike i nastavna sredstva, Beograd.

Selected scientific and expert papers