bioregions
Ecology-defined land areas
Bioregions are geographic areas defined by natural boundaries—watersheds, mountain ranges, ecosystems—rather than political lines.
The concept emphasizes that human communities exist within ecological systems: The Pacific Northwest bioregion spans parts of three states and two countries.
Bioregional thinking informs environmental planning, local food movements, and sustainability efforts that work with natural rather than arbitrary boundaries.
Geographic species restriction
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
Interdependent organism-environment systems
- endemicNative to one area
- keystoneArch's central locking stone
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
- nicheRecessed wall space
trophic · foodweb · symbiosis · biotic · abiotic · ecotone · succession · resilience
Regions draining to outlets
- valleysLow areas between hills
- plateausElevated flat terrain
- estuariesRiver-sea meeting points
- floodplainsLow areas rivers inundate
ridgelines · aquifers · geology · topography · terrain · geomorphology
Tree-dense ecosystem
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- desertTo leave behind completely
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
chaparral · savanna · mangrove · estuary · riparian · alpine · prairie · shrubland
Atmospheric water deposit
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
- seasonalityDependence on annual cycles
- microclimateLocalized atmospheric zone
- aridityAbsence of moisture
humidity · evapotranspiration · monsoon · Mediterranean · continental · maritime
Pacific Northwest ecological region
- SonoranOf a specific southwestern desert
- OzarksMidwestern highland region
- AppalachiaEastern U.S. mountain region
- PrairiePlace name element
Sierra · Chesapeake · Hudson · delineation
endemism
Geographic species restriction
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- speciationFormation of distinct species
ecosystems
Interdependent organism-environment systems
niche · trophic · foodweb · symbiosis · biotic · abiotic · ecotone · succession · resilience · disturbance
watersheds
Regions draining to outlets
floodplains · ridgelines · aquifers · geology · topography · terrain · geomorphology
forest
Tree-dense ecosystem
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- desertTo leave behind completely
tundra · chaparral · savanna · mangrove · estuary · riparian · alpine · prairie · shrubland · woodland
precipitation
Atmospheric water deposit
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
- seasonalityDependence on annual cycles
- microclimateLocalized atmospheric zone
aridity · humidity · evapotranspiration · monsoon · Mediterranean · continental · maritime
easements
Legal property access rights
- rewildingRestoring natural ecosystems
Cascadia
Pacific Northwest ecological region
- SonoranOf a specific southwestern desert
- OzarksMidwestern highland region
- AppalachiaEastern U.S. mountain region
Prairie · Sierra · Chesapeake · Hudson · delineation
bioregionscolonial borders
Boundaries imposed by occupiers
administrative districts · political boundaries · nation-states · counties · provinces