The research Group of Geobotany and Vegetation Mapping was founded in 1994 by the professor Josep Vigo, gathering the direct disciples of the geobotanic school of Oriol de Bolòs working in the Plant Biology Department, at the University of Barcelona. From there onwards, the contents and the activity of the group has evolved.

The general aim of the Group is the study of vascular plants, particularly in the aspect of their relationship with the environment, in Mediterranean and Pyrenean landscapes. Together with tradicional fields (floristics, phytosociology, phytotopography), this aim includes functional lines (community ecology, populations biology, physiological plant ecology) and applied aspects (biological conservation, landscape management and restoration). Such a pluridisciplinar framework allows geobotany and plant ecology to yield stronger results.

The research activity of the Group proceeds through particular projects, which may be sorted into three main fields or research lines.