ecoregion
Distinct natural area
An ecoregion is a geographic area defined by its distinctive combination of climate, landforms, soil, and plant and animal communities.
Unlike political boundaries, ecoregions reflect natural patterns: The Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest ecoregion spans parts of multiple states and provinces.
Conservation planning often uses ecoregions to identify ecosystems that share similar characteristics and threats.
Frigid treeless biome
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- savannaTropical grassland, sparse trees
- taigaSubarctic evergreen biome
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
desert · chaparral · wetland · mangrove · temperate forest · boreal forest · steppe · prairie
Geographic species restriction
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- native speciesOrganisms originating in a region
- keystone speciesOutsized ecological impact organism
endemic · biodiversity · food web · biogeography · zonation · ecotone · transition zone · wildlife corridor
Prevailing atmospheric conditions
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- terrainLand's physical features
geology · hydrology · soil type · watershed · landform · precipitation · temperature · elevation
Conserved natural zone
- preserveProtect from loss
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- reserveSupply kept back
- corridorEnclosed connecting walkway
stewardship · restoration · management · endangered · threatened · buffer zone · refuge · conservancy
tundra
Frigid treeless biome
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- savannaTropical grassland, sparse trees
- taigaSubarctic evergreen biome
grassland · desert · chaparral · wetland · mangrove · temperate forest · boreal forest · steppe · prairie · montane
endemism
Geographic species restriction
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- native speciesOrganisms originating in a region
keystone species · endemic · biodiversity · food web · biogeography · zonation · ecotone · transition zone · wildlife corridor
climate
Prevailing atmospheric conditions
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
terrain · geology · hydrology · soil type · watershed · landform · precipitation · temperature · elevation · drainage basin
protected area
Conserved natural zone
corridor · stewardship · restoration · management · endangered · threatened · buffer zone · refuge · conservancy · rewilding
- ecologyhabitat, balance, niche, food webs, food chain
- ecosystemsrainforest, forest, desert, jungle, ocean
- Ecogeographybiome, habitat, climate zone, biogeography, zonation
- wildlife ecologymigration routes, endemic species, native range, breeding grounds, wintering grounds
- ecoregionsboreal forest, bioregion, biome, arctic zone, alpine zone
- biogeographybioregion, species range, endemism, dispersal, native range
ecoregionpolitical boundary
Edge of governmental jurisdiction
administrative district · nation-state · country · electoral district · county