Abstract

GOMEZ-GUTIERREZ, Alberto. Historical account of two pioneers of tropical biogeography in the Andes: Alexander von Humboldt and Francisco José de Caldas. Rev. acad. colomb. cienc. exact. fis. nat. [online]. 2022, vol.46, n.179, pp.438-459.  Epub Sep 12, 2023. ISSN 0370-3908.  https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.1679.

We postulate here that the biogeographical profiles produced in 1802 and 1803 by Alexander von Humboldt and Francisco José de Caldas should be understood as synchronic, albeit dissimilar, infographics. Both graphic syntheses would have emerged from a foundational drawing: the barometric leveling that Humboldt drew when he traveled from Cartagena to Santafé along the Magdalena River, before his first meeting with Caldas. It is postulated that this barometric profile by Humboldt is the image that, once shared, triggered a stimulating counterpoint, and led both travelers to elaborate proper phytogeographical -not just geographical- profiles centered on the Chimborazo and Imbabura volcanoes, respectively. We show epistolary and iconographic evidence to support this assessment and discuss the reciprocal influences of these two naturalist travelers, as well as the asymmetry in their diffusion and appropriation in the history of science and biogeography.

Keywords : Biogeography; Barometric leveling; Alexander von Humboldt; Francisco José de Caldas; Andes Mountains.

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