Global 200

The Global 200 is a list of 238 ecoregions identified by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as global priorities for conservation. These ecoregions represent the planet's most biologically outstanding terrestrial, freshwater, and marine areas. The criteria for selection include the richness of species, as well as ecological and evolutionary uniqueness.12

The concept of ecoregions was developed to provide a more representative selection of Earth's distinctive ecosystems, complementing other conservation strategies like biodiversity hot spots. While hot spots focus on areas with a high concentration of endemic and threatened species, the Global 200 also includes ecosystems that may not have as many threatened species but are unique and under pressure, such as flooded grasslands or specific types of forests. The WWF's initiative aims to guide conservation efforts towards areas crucial for maintaining global biodiversity.12