ecoregion
Alternative name(s): eco-region
Definition | Source | References |
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A large area of land or water that contains a geographically distinct assemblage of natural communities that: (a). Share a large majority of their species and ecological dynamics; (b). Share similar environmental conditions, and; (c). Interact ecologically in ways that are critical for their long-term persistence. In contrast to biomes, an ecoregion is generally geographically specific, at a much finer scale. For example, the East African Montane Forest ecoregion of Kenya (WWF ecoregion classification) is a geographically specific and coherent example of the globally occurring tropical and subtropical forest biome. |
Europe and Central Asia assessment, Global assessment (1st work programme), Land degradation and restoration assessment, Americas assessment, Asia-Pacific assessment, Africa assessment | WWF |
A large area of land or water that contains a geographically distinct assemblage of natural communities that: Share a large majority of their species and ecological dynamics; Share similar environmental conditions, and; Interact ecologically in ways that are critical for their long-term persistence (source: WWF). In contrast to biomes, an ecoregion is generally geographically specific, is at a much finer scale, and contains ecologically interacting biota. For example, the “East African Montane Forest” eco- region of Kenya (WWF eco-region classification) is a geographically specific and coherent example of the globally occurring “tropical and subtropical forest” biome. |