You are here:
DRAFT LEVEL III AND IV ECOREGIONS OF ALABAMA
Description:
Ecoregions denote areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources. This map depicts revisions and subdivisions of ecoregions, compiled originally at a relatively small scale (USEPA 1998; Omernik 1987). The ecoregions are designed to serve as a spatial framework for environmental resource management. They are 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. These phenomena include geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology. Regional collaborative projects such as this one in Alabamaa, where the goal is to reach consensus among resource management agencies, comprise a step in the direction of reaching the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for developing a common framework of ecological regions (USDA et al. 1996). This common spatial framework would allow integrated ecosystem-type resource management across agencies having different responsibilities and interests for the same geographic areas. Explanation of the methods used to define the ecoregions are given in Griffith et al. (1994, 1997, 1999), Omernik (1995), and Gallant et al. (1989). Comments and suggestions which should be addressed to Glenn Griffith, USDA-NRCS, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (541) 754-4465, FAX: (541) 754-4716, email: glenn@mail.cor.epa.gov., or to James Omernik, U.S. EPA - NHEERL, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (541) 754- 4458, email: omernik@mail.cor.epa.gov.