Ecoregion: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
An '''ecoregion''' is defined as being a cartographical delineation of distinct [[w:ecology|ecological]] areas, land or water, identified by its [[w:geology]], [[w:topography]], [[w:soil]]s, [[w:vegetation]], [[w:climate]] conditions, a distinct assemblage of natural communities and [[w:species]], [[w:water]] resources, as well as anthropic factors. | An '''ecoregion''' is defined as being a cartographical delineation of distinct [[w:ecology|ecological]] areas, land or water, identified by its [[w:geology|geology]], [[w:topography|topography]], [[w:soil|soil]]s, [[w:vegetation|vegetation]], [[w:climate|climate]] conditions, a distinct assemblage of natural communities and [[w:species|species]], [[w:water|water]] resources, as well as anthropic factors. | ||
//''I have a problem with the definition given by WWF, as it add to this one "with boundaries that approximate the original extent of natural communities prior to major land-use change". I think this approach tends to consider that these areas were static (which is only true on a very small time scale) and the preanthropic areas were the "right" ones (when thinking in terms of biodiversity conservation). Besides, on some continents, it is likely major land-use change occured quite a long time ago. I think they focuse too much on what would have been expected to be found given local conditions, "if" human had had no impact whatsoever.<br>'' | //''I have a problem with the definition given by WWF, as it add to this one "with boundaries that approximate the original extent of natural communities prior to major land-use change". I think this approach tends to consider that these areas were static (which is only true on a very small time scale) and the preanthropic areas were the "right" ones (when thinking in terms of biodiversity conservation). Besides, on some continents, it is likely major land-use change occured quite a long time ago. I think they focuse too much on what would have been expected to be found given local conditions, "if" human had had no impact whatsoever.<br>'' | ||
''This is not dreamland, this is consumerium. I question defining ecoregion more as a potentiality than a reality. Both are important, but if ecoregions are defined with that limitation in mind, trade issues, borders issues, will perhaps not be adressed very well.''// | ''This is not dreamland, this is consumerium. I question defining ecoregion more as a potentiality than a reality. Both are important, but if ecoregions are defined with that limitation in mind, trade issues, borders issues, will perhaps not be adressed very well.''// | ||
World Wildlife Fund ecologists currently divide the land surface of the Earth into 8 major [[w:ecozone]]s containing 867 smaller terrestrial ecoregions. The ecozones are very well-defined, following major continental boundaries, while the ecoregions are subject to more change and controversy. | World Wildlife Fund ecologists currently divide the land surface of the Earth into 8 major [[w:ecozone|ecozone]]s containing 867 smaller terrestrial ecoregions. The ecozones are very well-defined, following major continental boundaries, while the ecoregions are subject to more change and controversy. | ||
Some propose the ecoregions as stable borders for [[w:bioregional democracy]] initiatives. | Some propose the ecoregions as stable borders for [[w:bioregional democracy]] initiatives. | ||