zonobiome

Zonobiome is a term used in ecology and biogeography to describe a spatially defined ecological unit that integrates geographic zoning with biome-type characteristics. The concept recognizes that the distribution of ecological communities is shaped by both broad climate zones and the physiographic context, producing distinct assemblages within contiguous areas. Because there is no universally accepted definition, zonobiome is used variably: some authors treat it as large-scale climate-biome regions roughly aligned with latitudinal belts (tropical, temperate, boreal, polar), while others emphasize transitional areas and ecotones where biome boundaries shift along gradients.

Delimitation is typically based on climate variables (mean annual temperature, precipitation and seasonality), vegetation structure, and productivity indicators, often derived from remote sensing and global climate datasets. Zonobiome maps are therefore often coarse-grained, intended for landscape-scale analyses rather than site-specific planning.

Applications include conservation prioritization, climate-change vulnerability assessment, land-use planning, and ecological modeling. The zonobiome framework can support scenario planning by highlighting areas likely to experience shifts in dominant communities under changing climate and land use.

Limitations and criticisms center on oversimplification, heterogeneity within zones, and overlap with related concepts such as biomes, ecoregions, and climatic zones. Proponents argue that zonobiomes provide a useful organizing principle for cross-disciplinary work when integrated with finer-scale data.

See also: biome, ecoregion, climatic zone, ecotone.