A natural region (landscape unit) is a basic geographic unit. Usually, it is a
region
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...
which is distinguished by its common natural features of
geography
Geography (from Ancient Greek ; combining 'Earth' and 'write', literally 'Earth writing') is the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. Geography is an all-encompassing discipline that seeks an understanding o ...
,
geology
Geology (). is a branch of natural science concerned with the Earth and other astronomical objects, the rocks of which they are composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Earth ...
, and
climate.
From the
ecological point of view, the naturally occurring flora and fauna of the region are likely to be influenced by its geographical and geological factors, such as
soil
Soil, also commonly referred to as earth, is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, water, and organisms that together support the life of plants and soil organisms. Some scientific definitions distinguish dirt from ''soil'' by re ...
and
water availability, in a significant manner. Thus most natural regions are homogeneous
ecosystem
An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system formed by Organism, organisms in interaction with their Biophysical environment, environment. The Biotic material, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and en ...
s. Human impact can be an important factor in the shaping and destiny of a particular natural region.
Main terms
The concept "natural region" is a large basic geographical unit, like the vast
boreal forest region.
Natural Regions - The Canadian Encyclopedia
/ref> The term may also be used generically, like in alpine tundra, or specifically to refer to a particular place.
The term is particularly useful where there is no corresponding or coterminous official region. The Fens of eastern England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
, the Thai highlands, and the Pays de Bray in Normandy, are examples of this. Others might include regions with particular geological characteristics, like badlands, such as the Bardenas Reales, an upland massif of acidic rock, or The Burren, in Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
.
By Country
* Natural regions of Burundi
* Natural regions of Chile
* Natural regions of Colombia
* Natural regions of Germany
* Natural regions of Venezuela
References
External links
Natural regions of Texas
Natural regions in Valencia
{{DEFAULTSORT:Natural Region
Ecology