A term used both by
biologists and those interested in natural resource management, with definitions similar in concept but somewhat dissimilar in application. Ecoregion is short for
ecological region.
In biological terms, Ecoregion it is defined as a relatively large area of land or water that includes a characteristic set of
species, communities, dynamics and
environmental conditions. This definition of ecoregion centers awareness on
biodiversity, helping biological researchers and conservationists
think, plan and act for a single ecological unit, unrestricted by political boundaries. Because Ecoregions are intended to be biologically coherent, it is possible to set meaningful goals to conserve and promote biodiversity at the population level and identify threats on a regional
scale.
Entities such as the
United States Forest Service and the
Natural Resources Conservation Service define an Ecoregion as a characterizations of landscape-level patterns identified through a classification process that captures the distribution of relatively
homogeneous landscape and resource areas. Ecoregion boundaries serve as a spatial
framework for the research, management and
development of natural resources. Potentials and capabilities for agriculture, soil and timber are typical of how these entities apply Ecoregions.