AN ECOREGION CLASSIFICATION OF THE SOUTH ISLAND, NEW-ZEALAND

Ecoregion classifications have been widely used, particularly in North America by freshwater biologists, as a tool for assessing environment al management techniques and conservation measures. We propose an ecor egion classification for the South Island of New Zealand and Stewart I sland based on six macro-environmental variables: vegetative cover, be drock geology, soils, relief, rainfall normals, and Meteorological Ser vice Climatic Regions. South Island maps (1:1000000 and 1:2000000 scal e) of these variables were digitized into a geographic information sys tem (GIS), linework was merged, and composite ecoregion maps generated . Twelve ecoregions are proposed. Each ecoregion is distinguished by a suite of ''typical'' macro-environmental characteristics. Some ecoreg ions can be divided into subregions on the basis of variations from th ese typical characteristics, primarily vegetative cover, and climatic conditions if this is desired for management purposes. (C) 1997 Academ ic Press Limited.