Ecoregions of Wisconsin

Ecoregions denote areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources; they are designed to serve as a spatial framework for the research, assessment, monitoring, and management of ecosystems and ecosystem components. Special purpose maps of characteristics such as plant communities, water quality, soils, and fish distributions are necessary and have long been used for dealing with specific research and management problems. Ecoregions, on the other hand, portray areas within which there is similarity in the mosaic of all biotic and abiotic components of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Recognition, identification, and delineation of these multipurpose regions are critical for structuring and implementing integrated management strategies across federal, state, tribal, and local governmental agencies that are responsible for different types of resources within the same geographical areas.

An explanation of how and why the map of Ecoregions of Wisconsin was compiled and a list of sources can be found in Omernik, J.M., S.S. Chapman, R.A. Lillie, and R.T. Dumke. 2000. Ecoregions of Wisconsin. Transactions of the Wisconsin Acadeny of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. 88:77-103

Information on electronic coverages of the map is available from Richard A. Lillie, Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Integrated Science Services Research, 1350 Femrite Dr., Monona, WI 53716 email: lillir@dnr.state.wi.us; or James Omernik, USEPA, 200 SW 35th St., Corvallis, OR 97333 email: omernik.james@epa.gov.