Afrotropical

Afrotropical realm, also called the Ethiopian realm in some schemes, is one of the Earth's eight biogeographic realms used to describe the distribution of flora and fauna. It encompasses Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and neighboring Indian Ocean islands, and in certain classifications extends to the southern Arabian Peninsula and Socotra. The precise boundaries differ among authors.

The climate and habitats of the Afrotropical realm range from tropical rainforests in the Congo Basin to savannas of East and Southern Africa, deserts in the southern margins, and montane and cloud forests in highlands. This environmental diversity supports a high level of endemism and a wide array of ecosystems.

Fauna and flora: The realm is home to numerous endemic taxa. Madagascar has a highly distinctive fauna, including lemurs, tenrecs, and a rich reptile and invertebrate assemblage. The African mainland hosts many large mammals such as elephants, antelopes, and primates including chimpanzees and gorillas, as well as a diverse bird community and diverse fish in lakes and rivers, notably the Rift Valley lakes. The flora ranges from the Congo rainforest to drier savannas, with many tropical hardwoods and arid-adapted species.

Conservation and research: The Afrotropical realm has long been a focus of biogeographic and ecological research due to its biodiversity and endemism. Many ecosystems are threatened by deforestation, habitat fragmentation, mining, hunting, and climate change, prompting protected-area networks and conservation initiatives.