Ecoregions – The Ecosystem Geography of the Oceans and Continents

Oceans and Continents Robert G Bailey 2014, Springer, 180 pp. 2nd edition £62.99 (Hardback) / £49.99 (eBook) ISBN 9781493905232 / 9781493905249 springer.com Terrestrial ecoregions as defined by Olson et al. (2011, Bioscience 51:933) have become the default scale for many biogeographical studies, though are predated by the first edition of this alternative scheme. Each contains different assumptions and objectives. Bailey's scheme includes ocean surface waters, and on land relies solely on climate, landforms and vegetation. It explicitly does not delineate based on species distributions, nor are land and freshwater systems separated. Islands are little mentioned. This updated and expanded edition is wonderfully illustrated throughout (disproportionately using North American examples) and provides an exemplary review of the link between climate and natural systems.