Gateway to the World's Centres of Biodiversity

Dr Peter Martin Rhind

Our planet's terrestrial land surface can be divided into 6 biokingdoms, 35 bioregions and 156 bioprovinces. For the full global classification or for further information on how this classification has been developed see navigation links above. Details of the biokingdoms (outlined in the map below) can also be accessed via the navigation bar. To navigate within each biokingdom scroll down to get information on each of the bioregions which also include links to the various bioprovinces. Bioprovinces can also be accessed via the interactive map or the global classification. For the geographic locations of bioregions see the World BioRegions Map.

Each bioprovince is described in terms of its geographic location, basic geology, climate and floristic characteristics and there are a linked webpages describing the primary plant formations and their associated endemic flora. The plan is to expand these accounts to include details of all the higher taxonomic groups including vascular plants, bryophytes, fungi, lichens, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, but again with particular reference to endemic and locally important species. The aim is to help and to work in conjunction with other global conservation initiatives (see the Global BioHotspots navigation link above). Each bioprovince webpage also has links to local biodiversity hotspots.

If you have any ecological expertise you could make a valuable contribution to this website by becoming the author of new bioprovince webpages (for information click contributions above)