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ecoregion

Alternative name(s): eco-region

Definition Source References

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.