The distribution of diversity: challenges and applications
87
Table 4.7
Examples of marine classifi cation schemes (17 in total) at a variety of spatial scales .
SPATIAL SCALE
Reference
Macro (≥1
: 10,000,000)
Meso (≥1 : 1,000,000)
Micro (<1 : 10,000)
1. Hydrographical regions:
7
based on
characteristic motions
of
the surface layer
(direction,
velocity and persistence of
surface
currents) and ice
conditions
for higher latitudes
(Dietrich, 1963)
2. Regions:
7 based on
temperature
and depth, e.g.
tropical
warm shelf,
Mediterranean, temperate
Provinces:
based on faunal changes, but
biased towards
certain taxa
(Ekman, 1953)
3. Biomes:
3 main
oceanic biomes
based on
prevailing winds,
plus
1 coastal
biome
Ecoregions:
biomes
subdivided
by ocean
basin
Provinces:
oceanic regions based on
flow
characteristics
(Longhurst,
1998)
4. Domains:
3
defined
by
temperature
Divisions:
14 subdivisions
of the domains plus shelf
regions which are
interpreted as shallow
variations of the domains
involved
(Bailey,
1998)
5. Zoogeographical
regions:
3 based
on
temperature,
plus
1 oceanic
region
Regional
classification of
coastal zones:
based on coastal
geomorphology and
biotic associations
Habitat
classification:
specific biotic
characteristics
(Ray, 1975)