Ecological Archives M077-010-A1

Scott P. Sowa, Gust Annis, Michael E. Morey, and David D. Diamond. 2007. A Gap analysis and comprehensive conservation strategy for riverine ecosystems of Missouri. Ecological Monographs 77:301–334.

Appendix A. Hierarchical framework with defining physical and biological features used for classifying and mapping riverine ecosystems.

TABLE A1. Hierarchical framework with defining physical and biological features used for classifying and mapping riverine ecosystems in the Missouri aquatic GAP project. ^†Levels in bold account for geographic variation in local stream assemblages resulting from distinct evolutionary histories. Remaining levels account for geographic variation in local assemblages resulting from differences in ecosystem structure and function.

Level^†	Description	Defining physical features	Defining biological features
Zones	Six major zoogeographic zones of the world that resulted from distinct evolutionary histories associated with plate tectonics	Continental boundaries Global climate	Family-level patterns Endemism
Subzones	Subcontinental zoogeographic strata with relatively unique aquatic assemblages created in large part by plate tectonics, glaciation, and mountain building	Major river networks and basin boundaries Regional climate	Family-level patterns Endemism
Regions	Subzone zoogeographic strata created in large part by drainage network patterns that determine dispersal routes and isolation mechanisms that have resulted in different responses to long-term changes in climate	Major river networks and basin boundaries Regional climate	Family- and species-level patterns Endemism Phylogenetics
Aquatic Subregions	Region stratification units. Large areas of similar climate and physiography that often correspond to broad-scale patterns in dominant vegetation	Regional climate Physiography General physiognomy of vegetation	Family- and species-level patterns Endemism Distinct foraging, reproductive, and habitat-use guilds Distinct physiological tolerances
Ecological Drainage Units	Subregion zoogeographic strata. Aggregates of subdrainages with similar physiographic character and a common evolutionary history.	Drainage boundaries Physiography	Family- and species-level patterns Endemism Phylogenetics
Aquatic Ecological System Types	Hydrogeomorphic subunits of Ecological Drainage Units. Hydrologic units with similar physiographic character, basin morphometry, and position within the larger drainage. Represent ecological neighborhoods; each type contains similar combinations of valley segment types.	Watershed boundaries Position within larger drainage Local and watershed physiography Local climate Basin morphometry	Species-level patterns Distinct foraging, reproductive, and habitat-use guilds Distinct physiological tolerances
Valley Segment Types	Hydrogeomorphic subunits of Aquatic Ecological Systems. Aggregates of stream reaches with broad similarities in fluvial processes, sediment transport, riparian vegetation, and thermal regime.	Temperature Stream size Permanence of flow Position within drainage network Valley geomorphology	Species-level patterns Distinct foraging, reproductive and habitat-use guilds Distinct physiological tolerances
Habitat Unit Types	Hydrogeomorphic subunits of Valley Segment Types (e.g., riffle, pool, run).	Depth Velocity Substrate Position within the channel Physical forming features	Species-level patterns Distinct foraging, reproductive and habitat-use guilds

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