ecoregion

ecology

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July 16, 2026

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An ecoregion is a large area characterized by its unique combination of climate, geology, and ecological communities. These regions support specific types of plants and animals that are adapted to their particular environments. While the specific species may differ between ecoregions, they often contain ecologically equivalent organisms that share similar life cycles and adaptations.1

The concept of ecoregions is crucial for conservation efforts. Scientists have identified numerous ecoregions globally, prioritizing those that are biologically outstanding due to species richness or unique ecological and evolutionary phenomena. Many of these ecoregions are threatened by human activities, making their protection vital for preserving global biodiversity.23

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biodiversity
Measuring biodiversity
…applied globally, as with the ecoregions used by the World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund, WWF), they provide a useful guide to biodiversity patterns.
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…applied globally, as with the ecoregions used by the World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund, WWF), they provide a useful guide to biodiversity patterns.
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conservation
The loss of ecosystems
…they call the world’s “ecoregions,” which are drawn from the planet’s terrestrial, freshwater, and marine major habitat types. Based on a comparative global analysis, they have identified some 240 ecoregions as global priorities—about 140 terrestrial, 50 freshwater, and 40 marine areas that are the most biologically outstanding, either for…
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…they call the world’s “ecoregions,” which are drawn from the planet’s terrestrial, freshwater, and marine major habitat types. Based on a comparative global analysis, they have identified some 240 ecoregions as global priorities—about 140 terrestrial, 50 freshwater, and 40 marine areas that are the most biologically outstanding, either for…
Read More