Many aspects of phytogeography have gained loped numerical techniques
which allow the com- greatly from the recent development of analytical
bination of quantitative floristic and vegetational and numerical
methods. The new methods have analyses with mapping and causal or evolu-
opened up new avenues of research, leading to a tionary deductions. The
papers selected for the better understanding of the distribution and
book show approaches for higher and lower plant evolutionary patterns of
species and communities. forms. Several papers dealing with relevant in-
During the 1987 Botanical Congress in Berlin, formation on vegetation
for the respective areas Drs Nimis and Haeupler organized a symposium
appear for the first time. The combination of in which examples of
present-day phytogeogra- new approaches successfully applied to new phic
work were discussed. After the symposium problems should be very
stimulating to young it was agreed that a proceedings volume should
scientists as many papers demonstrate how to be edited by Drs Nimis and
Crovello. From the make efficient use of the new developments in
lectures presented, those dealing primarily with information science for
species-oriented phyto- numerical methods were selected for the book.
geography. This is the second volume of the T: VS series that While the
book does not intend to serve as a deals with new aspects and methods of
phyto- textbook, it can be viewed as a guide to the geography.
