Field Botany and Plant Growth Forms

Field Botany and Plant Growth Forms

What is Field Botany?

• Definition: Field botany represents the foundational practical aspect of natural history.

• Natural History: According to Stephen G. Herman (2002), natural history is the scientific study of plants and animals in their natural environments. It encompasses:

  • Levels of organization from individual organisms to ecosystems.

  • Key focus areas: identification, life history, distribution, abundance, and inter-relationships.

  • Often includes an aesthetic component.

Aldo Leopold and Natural History

• Goal: Leopold emphasized converting collective knowledge of biotic materials into a