Towards a system for classifying natural regions of the world and their representation by national parks and reserves

A system of classification of the biotic communities of the world, taking into account vegetation, flora, and fauna, is needed for purposes of global conservation of species and ecosystems. In this paper the world biota are classified, tentatively, into provinces. These are based initially on biomes, subdivided primarily on the basis of major faunal regions, and regionally on the basis of important faunistic and floristic differences. The usefulness of the system is considered in relation to the distribution of national parks and equivalent reserves throughout the world. The system presented here is preliminary and subject to modification and revision on the recommendation of biogeographers and ecologists concerned.