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ecoregion

ecoregion

1 6.2
A large area of land or water with its own climate, plants, and animals
  • noun
  • /ˌiːkoʊˈriːdʒən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ecorregión
  • In order to protect wildlife, scientists study each ecoregion to understand its unique climate, plants, and animals.
  • ecoregion map
  • marine ecoregions
  • ecoregion delineation

Examples

  • Conservation efforts must focus on the most threatened ecoregions to preserve biodiversity across the planet.

  • The Bolivian Yungas ecoregion includes habitat ranging from low-altitude moist forest to high-altitude cloud forest.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The colors of the bars correspond with the ecoregion condition in Figure 1.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Although there is catch remaining in these six ecoregions, it is much lower than in the past.

    Academic text (2011)
  • However, there is not enough information for firm estimates of condition in these ecoregions.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The erosion of regional agricultural viability within the ecoregion helped bring about land change.

    Academic text (2012)
  • We then identified published regional classification systems to be used as a baseline for ecoregion boundaries.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Data and consultations from regional experts were also important for final ecoregion delineations.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Maps of freshwater and marine ecoregions are similarly needed for conservation planning.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The Bolivian Yungas ecoregion includes diverse habitats, ranging from low-altitude moist forests to high-altitude cloud forests.

Synonyms

region
vsecoregion
977 2.0

A large area of land with similar features like climate or plants

limits the definition to climate plus plants and animals rather than general features
biome
vsecoregion
  • Specialized
2 6.9

A large natural area where similar plants and animals live under a certain climate

is defined by climate and both plants and animals rather than by plant dominance
biogeographical region
vsecoregion
  • Specialized
8.1

An area of land and water that has its own types of plants and animals

focuses on climate plus local plants and animals rather than distribution patterns

How Big

biome
  • Specialized
2 6.9
ecoregion
  • Specialized
1 6.2
ecosystem
  • Specialized
98 3.4
habitat
  • Specialized
174 3.0

Surface Forms

ecoregion singular
ecoregions plural

Morphology

ecoregion = region (transparent) = eco + region

The productive prefix 'eco-' (relating to the environment) combined with 'region' yields 'ecoregion' in a straightforward, compositional way: a region defined by ecological characteristics.

Etymology

The word ecoregion combines eco-, from a Greek word meaning 'home', and region, meaning 'area'. So an ecoregion is like a natural 'home' or 'area' where the climate, plants, and animals live together, and you can see the same eco- in ecology and ecosystem.