In recent discussions, the term "bioregion" has gained notable attention. At a recent investment conference in Boston, I was intrigued to hear multiple speakers mention bioregions as part of investment strategies.

However, it's evident that many remain uncertain about the precise meaning of the term. To clarify this, I recently published an in-depth article titled "What is a Bioregion?" on One Earth, examining the various definitions present in both scientific texts and philosophical discussions.

This confusion is understandable, given that there are 25 distinct definitions of bioregions within biogeography, the scientific field concerned with the distribution of living organisms across geographical areas. Bioregions can manifest in diverse forms, operating at various scales — from small ecosystems or 'biotopes' to larger ecoregions and even continent-wide distributions, such as biomes. All of these are classified as bioregions.

Wikipedia provides a different perspective on bioregions, suggesting a distinction between bioregions and ecoregions. The current definition states that while ecoregions are determined by biophysical and ecosystem data, human settlements and cultural dynamics significantly influence the definition of a bioregion. I have since contributed a more balanced and accurate definition to the Wikipedia entry.

This viewpoint is misleading. While bioregions can indeed be influenced by human activities or cultural aspects, this is not a universal criterion. They represent a broad classification that includes various methodologies for establishing geographical boundaries based on biological factors. However, there exists a community dedicated to the philosophy of bioregionalism, which interprets bioregions differently than conventional academic usage.

Bioregionalism is a compelling concept popularized by Peter Berg, who inspired numerous ecological thinkers and practitioners. He advocated for human communities to coexist sustainably with nature, sourcing essential needs—food, fiber, and water—from local environments. Bioregionalism aims to counter the extractive practices contributing to the ongoing polycrisis marked by biodiversity loss, dwindling freshwater supplies, and soil degradation.

Moreover, bioregionalism incorporates the notion of bioculturalism, highlighting the intricate relationships between humans and their natural surroundings. This includes traditional knowledge held by Indigenous communities as well as contemporary sustainable practices. One proponent of this perspective succinctly states, "Bio-region" stands for "bio-cultural region."

Such a statement may provoke skepticism among academics. Approximately 65,000 scholarly articles or books have referenced "bioregion," with most focusing on mapping plant and animal populations rather than on bioregionalism. The overall trend has leaned toward data-centric approaches that often exclude human perspectives.

How did this all begin? Richard Evanoff, a contemporary scholar of bioregionalism, credits Allen Van Newkirk with coining the term "bioregion" in his 1975 essay. This claim is noted on the Wikipedia page, prompting me to investigate the origins of related terms— "bioregion," "bioregions," "bioregional," and "bioregionalism."

I compiled a Google Sheet detailing this research, summarizing key findings by year, citation counts, and notable papers. The data shows a significant increase in publications related to bioregions, from just a few in the 1970s to around 4400 in the previous year, doubling since 2010. My search revealed references to "bioregion" from the 1960s in Poland and Czechoslovakia, though I could not confirm these.

The earliest verified use of "bioregion" I found referred to blue crab populations in Louisiana, where the term described the area fulfilling the crab's lifecycle needs—a notion not far removed from bioregionalist thinking. However, this definition soon evolved to encompass broader ecological phenomena.

Between 1972 and 1976, several marine biology papers adopted the term. Notably, in 1975, while researchers were using "bioregion" to discuss Australian crustaceans and Mexican reef fishes, Van Newkirk published "Bioregions: Towards a Bioregional Strategy for Human Cultures" in Environmental Conservation. He proposed that bioregions could be mapped based on biological significance and the influence of human cultures.

His insight recognized humans as part of the ecosystem, suggesting that understanding their role could facilitate the preservation and restoration of natural environments. Peter Berg later built on this idea with a seminal essay in 1977 focused on the "North California Bioregion," followed by a 1979 anthology highlighting the region's ecological and cultural narratives.

By 1980, the term "bioregion" was increasingly prevalent, especially among bioregionalists who were fervently promoting new concepts. The early 1980s saw the introduction of watershed-based governance, exemplified by J.J. Parson’s influential essay "On ‘Bioregionalism’ and ‘Watershed Consciousness’" in 1985. Anthropologists began exploring terms like "Zuni bioregion," while critical theorists contributed concepts such as "deep ecology" and "ecofeminism." One pivotal book during this period was Dwellers in the Land: The Bioregional Vision by Kirkpatrick Sale, which brought bioregions into broader public discourse.

Simultaneously, agronomists began applying the term to sustainable farming, emphasizing climate, hydrology, and soil properties. In 1983, Reed Noss published a groundbreaking paper on biodiversity conservation, laying groundwork for future bioregional applications.

In 1990, Donald Alexander's essay "Bioregionalism: Science or Sensibility?" ignited debates between scientists and philosophers regarding the definition of bioregions. He critiqued scientific work for neglecting cultural and subjective elements in regional definitions, which seems misguided considering our ongoing quest for ecological understanding.

The 1990s marked a surge in publications on bioregions, growing tenfold from about 100 to 1000 annually by the year 2000. Significant advancements were made in applying biogeographical frameworks to biodiversity conservation and resource management, including K.R. Miller’s textbook Balancing the Scales (1996), which framed ecosystems as types of bioregions.

By the 2000s, the scientific literature on bioregions expanded alongside a deeper understanding of the term’s implications. Research began to inform conservation policies across diverse ecosystems, with new maps of global seagrass distribution released in 2007, along with comprehensive marine ecoregion classifications.

Throughout this decade, influential works on bioregionalism emerged, including LifePlace: Bioregional Thought and Practice (2003), which examined living in relation to naturally defined areas.

By 2010, around 2500 scholarly articles and books on bioregions were published annually. The 2010s ushered in the modern era of biogeography, with advancements in satellite technology and computer modeling yielding fresh insights into ecosystem dynamics.

Prominent research topics included the correlation between bioregion heterogeneity and genetic diversity in species, the enhancement of bioregional frameworks for conservation, and the application of biogeographical models across various ecosystems.

This decade also saw significant updates to terrestrial ecoregion frameworks and the emergence of bioregionalism within mainstream economics, exemplified by the formation of the first bioregional bank, One PacificCoast Bank, in 2011.

Fast forward to 2020, when approximately 3500 scholarly articles referencing bioregions were published, expanding into fields like public health. Notable releases included a comparative analysis of marine bioregions and the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology.

Last year, around 4400 articles emerged in this field, with no signs of a slowdown in 2024. While most focus on biological sciences, a steady stream of literature on bioregionalism spans agroecology, social sciences, and environmental philosophy.

One recent paper exemplifies the diverse meanings surrounding bioregionalism. "A Critical Biocultural Identity Framework" (Cavaliere & Branstrator, 2023) investigates strategies for conserving biocultural identity in rural Alaska, applying critical ecofeminist perspectives.

While the exact implications of this research may be unclear, it's evident that the concept of "bioregion" will continue to evolve, inviting us to embrace complexity in all its forms. From frogs to feminists, serpents to scientists, and bison to bankers, bioregions serve as a connective thread for us all.