Freshwater Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Biogeographic Units for Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation
2008/05/01 by Robin Abell, Michele L. Thieme, Michele Thieme +36 · 2,042 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior #Biodiversity #Biogeography #Biology #Ecology #Ecoregion #Fish <Actinopterygii> #Fish Biology and Ecology Studies #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Fishery #Freshwater fish #Geography #Habitat
paper · pdf · doi:10.1641/b580507
published in BioScience 58(5), 403-414 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 2008/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Abstract
We present a new map depicting the first global biogeographic regionalization of Earth's freshwater systems. This map of freshwater ecoregions is based on the distributions and compositions of freshwater fish species and incorporates major ecological and evolutionary patterns. Covering virtually all freshwater habitats on Earth, this ecoregion map, together with associated species data, is a useful tool for underpinning global and regional conservation planning efforts (particularly to identify outstanding and imperiled freshwater systems); for serving as a logical framework for large-scale conservation strategies; and for providing a global-scale knowledge base for increasing freshwater biogeographic literacy. Preliminary data for fish species compiled by ecoregion reveal some previously unrecognized areas of high biodiversity, highlighting the benefit of looking at the world's freshwaters through a new framework.
Citations
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