ökoregioonid

Ökoregioonid, or ecoregions, are geographically defined areas that share relatively uniform ecological characteristics and processes. They are distinguished by a combination of climate, geology and soils, hydrology, vegetation, and the patterns of species and ecosystems that arise from these factors. The concept aims to capture regions with coherent ecological dynamics rather than strictly political or administrative boundaries.

The boundaries of ökoregioonid are not fixed or universally standardized. Different organizations use different classification schemes, often tailored to policy needs and available data. Common approaches combine climate data (such as temperature and precipitation), landforms and geology, soil types, hydrological regimes, and the distribution of natural vegetation and indicator species. Because ecological patterns operate across scales, ecoregions can be nested within larger biomes or subdivided into finer units for local planning.

Uses and significance include conservation planning, land-use management, and environmental reporting. Ecoregions provide a framework for identifying priority areas for protection, restoration, and the maintenance of ecosystem services, as well as for assessing climate change impacts and targeting adaptation measures. They also support cross-border coordination in biodiversity conservation and natural resource governance, by offering a common language for comparing ecological conditions and trends.

In practice, ökoregioonid are applied by international organizations, regional bodies, and national agencies to inform policy, monitoring, and strategic planning. They are one of several tools used to understand and manage the Earth's ecological diversity in a systematic, landscape-scale manner.