Biomes are nobody’s kingdom: on environmental and historical plant geography

This study argues that biomes and floral kingdoms serve distinct, non-overlapping roles in global plant geography. While floral kingdoms (phytochoria) reflect evolutionary history and are defined by endemic taxa, biomes are primarily shaped by environmental factors like climate and soil, with no significant evolutionary component. The research contrasts these concepts, emphasizing that biomes should not be defined by lineage presence or evolution. It highlights the Cape Floral Kingdom's expansion to include diverse biomes, challenging the notion of contiguous floral kingdoms. The study also notes mismatches between biodiversity priorities (phytochoria) and ecosystem service values (biomes), advocating for separate mapping approaches in conservation efforts.

Procheş, Ş. (2020). Biomes are nobody’s kingdom: on environmental and historical plant geography. New Phytologist, 228(5), 1460–1462. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16300