Ecological concepts and biographical zonation in the North: the need for a generally accepted terminology

Abstract

The author stresses the need for more clearly defined concepts and terms related to ecological research in the northern biogeographical zones and regions. The concepts ‘arctic’, ‘subarctic’, ‘tundra’, ‘forest‐tundra’, ‘open woodland’ (and similar expressions), ‘taiga’, etc., are discussed below. The expressions ‘tree’ and ‘forest’ are briefly mentioned. The main interest below is focused on terms related to the tree‐ and timber‐ (forest‐) lines and their interrelations.