Omernik Ecoregions in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
- Published:
- February 12, 2008
- Categorized in:
- Map
The ecoregions shown in this map were derived from Omernik (1987) and from subsequent refinements of Omernik's framework. Designed to serve as a spatial framework for environmental resource management, ecoregions denote areas within which ecosystems (and the type, quality and quantity of environmental resources) are generally similar. The approach used to compile this map is based on the premise that ecological regions can be identified through the analysis of the patterns and the composition of biotic and abiotic phenomena that affect or reflect differences in ecosystem quality and integrity (Wiken 1986; Omernik 1987, 1995). These phenomena include geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife and hydrology.