ecoregions
Distinct habitat areas
Ecoregions are geographic areas defined by their distinctive ecosystems—particular combinations of climate, terrain, soil, plants, and animals that set them apart from neighboring areas.
Ecologists and conservationists use ecoregions to study biodiversity and plan environmental protection: The Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest is one of North America's most distinctive ecoregions.
Major ecological community
- terrestrialRelating to land
- aquaticWater-inhabiting
- forestTree-dense ecosystem
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
desert · tundra · wetlands · mangrove · savanna · chaparral · taiga · rainforest
Physical feature mapping
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- longitudeEast-west angular distance
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- terrainLand's physical features
plateau · basin · range · delta · peninsula · archipelago · landforms · soil
Measured heat intensity
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- aridDevoid of water
- temperateMild, avoiding extremes
polar · monsoon · drought · humidity · microclimate · seasons · rainfall · aridity
Nonliving, in ecology
- bioticRelating to life
- trophicRelating to feeding
- successionFollowing in order
- symbiosisInterspecies biological interdependence
At risk of extinction
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- reserveSupply kept back
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
- restorationReturning something to condition
corridor · rewilding · fragmentation · WWF · deforestation
Finest taxonomic rank
- endemicNative to one area
- richnessState of abundance
- abundanceAmple supply, overflowing
- diversityState of varied elements
biota · adaptation · speciation · invertebrates · mammals · native · threatened · migratory
biome
Major ecological community
- terrestrialRelating to land
- aquaticWater-inhabiting
- forestTree-dense ecosystem
grassland · desert · tundra · wetlands · mangrove · savanna · chaparral · taiga · rainforest · steppe
topography
Physical feature mapping
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- longitudeEast-west angular distance
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
terrain · plateau · basin · range · delta · peninsula · archipelago · landforms · soil · watershed
temperature
Measured heat intensity
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- aridDevoid of water
temperate · polar · monsoon · drought · humidity · microclimate · seasons · rainfall · aridity · frost
abiotic
Nonliving, in ecology
- bioticRelating to life
- trophicRelating to feeding
- successionFollowing in order
symbiosis · niche · decomposition · disturbance · resilience
endangered
At risk of extinction
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- reserveSupply kept back
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
restoration · corridor · rewilding · fragmentation · WWF · deforestation
species
Finest taxonomic rank
diversity · biota · adaptation · speciation · invertebrates · mammals · native · threatened · migratory · amphibians
- ecosystemsrainforest, forest, desert, jungle, ocean
- ecological zonesclimate zones, biomes, temperate zones, tropical zones, arid zones
- plant geographynative flora, native plants, tropical flora, desert flora, neotropical
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- North American regionsstates, provinces, territories, northeast, southeast
- North American ecologyRocky Mountains, Appalachians, Great Plains, Great Lakes, Everglades
ecoregionspolitical boundaries
Jurisdictional dividing lines
administrative districts · nation-states · countries · provinces · states
ecoregionsindustrial zones
Areas designated for manufacturing
urban sprawl · built environment · concrete jungle · wastelands · dead zones