“Characteristic Space” and “Characteristic Time” as a key categories of biogeography

Abstract

The article considers the problems of practical application of categories of the “characteristic time” and “characteristic space” in methodology of geography and biogeography. It is shown that some anthropocentric methods hinder an understanding of the essence of study of the evolution and the dynamics of spatial biogeographical objects at different levels of identification – from biotic kingdoms and provinces to landscapes and facies. Examples of the relationship between natural and anthropogenic ?hrono- and chorological parameters of biotic objects at the lowest level of analysis (the landscape of the Valdai upland) are presented. It is discussed how these categories are used in practice of territorial protection of nature.