Original: In the course of his examination of the animal world , Buffon noted that despite similar environments , different regions have distinct plants and animals , a concept later known as Buffon 's Law , widely considered the first principle of biogeography .
Simplified: Buffon noted that despite similar environments , different regions of the world have distinct plants and animals . This observation , later known as Buffon 's Law , may be the first principle of biogeography .