ecozone

An ecozone is a large geographic area defined by a coherent set of ecological characteristics, including climate, geology, soils, vegetation, and the assemblage of plant and animal life that it supports. It is a broad framework used in biogeography, ecology, and conservation planning to study patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem processes across wide spatial scales.

Boundaries between ecozones are often gradational rather than sharply defined, reflecting gradual changes in climate, terrain, and evolutionary history. Definitions and delimitation can vary among authors and schemes, and ecozones may overlap with other large-scale classifications such as biogeographic realms or biomes. They are dynamic over time, influenced by factors such as climate change, geological events, and human activity.

Ecozones are used to organize information about species distributions, habitat types, and ecological functions. They provide a basis for comparing ecosystems and for prioritizing conservation efforts, land management, and environmental monitoring across large regions. The concept emphasizes the integration of climate, landscape, and biology rather than focusing on a single attribute such as vegetation type.

Examples of ecozone concepts commonly encountered include boreal, temperate, and tropical ecozones, as well as frozen or desert-associated zones, each characterized by distinctive climate regimes and life forms. Different geographic regions may have multiple ecozones corresponding to different climatic belts and ecological communities, from forests and wetlands to grasslands and deserts.

The ecozone concept remains a flexible tool in ecological theory and applied conservation, with ongoing refinements as data on climate, soils, and biodiversity improve. See also biogeography, biome, and biogeographic realm for related classification schemes.