Ecoregions : the ecosystem geography of the oceans and continents / Robert G. Bailey ; illustrations by Lev Ropes.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 153-163) and index.

Two folded colored maps (ecoregions of the oceans and of the continents) in back pocket.

Ch. 1. Introduction -- Ch. 2. Oceanic Types and Their Controls -- Ch. 3. The Ecoregions of the Oceans -- Ch. 4. Continental Types and Their Controls -- Ch. 5. Ecoregions of the Continents: The Polar Ecoregions -- Ch. 6. The Humid Temperate Ecoregions -- Ch. 7. The Dry Ecoregions -- Ch. 8. The Humid Tropical and Mountain Ecoregions -- Ch. 9. Summary and Conclusion -- App. A. Air Masses and Frontal Zones -- App. B. Common and Scientific Names -- App. C. Conversion Factors.

This book applies principles of climate and geography to describe and characterize the major ecological zones of the Earth - continental as well as oceanic. Robert G. Bailey's system for classifying ecoregions has had a major influence on the United States Government's decision to adopt an ecosystem-based approach to managing public land, and has been adopted by major organizations such as the Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy.

This book will be a major contribution to the long tradition of classifying the world's ecological regions, and extends the author's work globally. Numerous photographs of representative ecoregions and outstanding color figures are complemented by two color maps showing the major ecoregions of the continents and of the oceans.

Ecoregions: The Ecosystem Geography of the Oceans and Continents will be welcomed by ecologists and geographers, environmental planners and decision-makers, and students in courses ranging from environmental science to biogeography to ecology.