Final answer:
The patterns in the distribution of plants and animals around the world are studied in the field of biogeography, which includes ecological, historical, and conservation branches.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of the patterns in the distribution of plants and animals around the world is known as biogeography. This scientific field involves the study of the geographic distribution of living things both in their historical context and in present times.
There are three main areas within biogeography: ecological biogeography, which examines current factors affecting the distribution of species; historical biogeography (also called paleobiogeography), which investigates the past distributions; and conservation biogeography, focusing on the protection and restoration of species based on historical and ecological data.
Biogeographers utilize knowledge in various disciplines such as biology, ecology, evolutionary theory, soil science, and climatology to understand and explain patterns of species distribution and how they have changed over time due to environmental factors and tectonic movements.