Ecoregion map (2001) -- most current and integrated

Ecoregions were mapped for Alaska based on newly available datasets and field experience of ecologists, biologists, geologists and regional experts. Recent datasets included climate parameters, vegetation, surficial geology and topography. Additional datasets incorporated were lithology, soils, permafrost, hydrography, fire regime and glaciation. Ecoregions were mapped using a combination of the two common approaches: the Bailey (hierarchial), and Omernick (integrated). Ecoregions are grouped into two higher levels using a "tri-archy" based on climate parameters, vegetation response and disturbance processes. ]

Key Variables

L1_REGIME: level 1 ecoregion regime name

L2_GROUP: level 2 ecoregion group name

L3_ECOREGION: level 3 ecoregion name (roughly equivalent to Omernick level 3 ecoregions)

REGION_NO: level 3 ecoregion number

Ecoregionsin Copper River and hierarchy (full descriptions in metadata and docs/ecoregions.doc)

Level 1 Boreal Level

     Level 2 Alaska Range Transition

          Level 3 Alaska Range

     Level 2 Pacific Mountains Transition

          Level 3 Copper River Basin

     Level 2 Coast Mountains Transition

          Level 3 Wrangell Mountains

Level 1 Maritime

     Level 2 Coastal Rainforest

          Level 3 Chugach-St. Elias Mountains

          Level 3 Gulf of Alaska Coast