In the face of ecological challenges, the concept of bioregions—areas defined by natural boundaries like watersheds—offers a powerful framework for fostering local stewardship and environmental regeneration. To collaborate effectively across diverse communities and organizations, we need a standard way to reference and share information about these regions. This is where a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) comes in.
What Is a URI, and Why Does It Matter?
A URI is a standardized way to name and identify things—like a webpage, a book, or in this case, a bioregion. Think of it as a unique digital label that allows anyone, anywhere, to reference the same entity without confusion. This shared identifier enables collaboration in systems like:
- Open Linked Data: Where URIs help connect and contextualize information across different platforms.
- Discourse Graphs: Tools that map and organize discussions and ideas to track collective understanding.
- Decentralized Science (DeSci): A movement leveraging blockchain and open networks for transparent, reproducible science.
- Knowledge Graphs: Structured databases that connect entities (like bioregions) and their relationships.
A robust URI for bioregions ensures interoperability, making it easier for people and systems to share, query, and link information to support regenerative action.
Proposed URI Scheme for Bioregions
Format
bioregion:<name>:<lat>,<lon>[:optional-metadata]
bioregion: A fixed prefix indicating the type of resource.<name>: The commonly recognized name of the bioregion (e.g., “Cascadia”).<lat>,<lon>: The geospatial “pin” calculated as the centroid of the bioregion (latitude and longitude in decimal degrees).[:optional-metadata]: Additional qualifiers, such aswatershedoreco-region.
Example
- Cascadia Bioregion:
bioregion:cascadia:45.512,-122.658 - Amazon River Basin:
bioregion:amazon-river-basin:-3.465,-62.215
This scheme provides a clear and consistent way to reference bioregions while remaining human-readable and machine-actionable.
Considerations for Smaller and Larger Regions
Smaller Regions (Sub-Bioregions)
For regions smaller than bioregions, such as watersheds or ecological units within a bioregion, the URI could extend hierarchically to represent the subdivision:
Format:
bioregion:<parent-name>:<lat>,<lon>:<sub-region-name>
- Example: Willamette Watershed within Cascadia:
bioregion:cascadia:45.512,-122.658:willamette-watershed
If no commonly accepted name exists, you could use a systematic or numeric identifier (e.g., Hydrologic Unit Codes for watersheds).
Larger Regions (Super-Bioregions)
For larger regions, such as biogeographical realms or continents, a broader prefix helps distinguish their scope:
Formats:
realm:<name>:<lat>,<lon>
continent:<name>:<lat>,<lon>
- Example: Neotropical Realm:
realm:neotropical:-15.794,-47.882 - Example: South America:
continent:south-america:-14.235,-51.925
This allows the scheme to scale, linking bioregions to their larger ecological or geopolitical context.
How to Determine the Geospatial Pin
Since bioregions are defined by natural boundaries (not perfect geometric shapes), the geospatial pin is the centroid—the calculated “center” of the region. Here’s how it’s done:
- Gather Geospatial Data: Use tools like GeoJSON, shapefiles, or other GIS data formats that represent the boundaries of the bioregion.
- Calculate the Centroid: Tools like Python’s
shapelylibrary or GIS platforms like QGIS can calculate the centroid of an irregular shape. - Standardize Coordinates: Use the WGS 84 format (latitude and longitude) to ensure global consistency.
This geospatial pin offers a consistent anchor point for identifying the bioregion.
Existing Standards and Frameworks
Although no universal URI standard exists for bioregions, several frameworks provide valuable references:
- One Earth Bioregions Framework: Defines 185 bioregions using clear ecological and geographic rules, aligning with global standards.
- WWF Ecoregions: A widely recognized classification of ecological zones.
- HydroSHEDS: A global dataset for watersheds and hydrological units.
- Geonames: URIs for geographical locations, though less precise for ecological boundaries.
- Wikidata: Identifiers for some bioregions, though coverage is inconsistent.
Mapping your proposed scheme to these frameworks could enhance its adoption and interoperability.
Why This Matters for Regenerative Efforts
URIs like the one proposed here enable decentralized and collaborative efforts to regenerate bioregions by:
- Linking Knowledge: In knowledge graphs, the URI allows seamless linking of information about bioregions, such as ecological data, restoration projects, and governance models.
- Enabling Discourse: Through discourse graphs, URIs anchor conversations, allowing contributors to map discussions back to specific bioregions.
- Driving Scientific Collaboration: In decentralized science, URIs help researchers share datasets, methods, and findings about bioregions without ambiguity.
For example, a URI like bioregion:cascadia:45.512,-122.658 could be referenced in:
- A discourse graph mapping ideas for sustainable water management.
- A knowledge graph linking Cascadia’s flora, fauna, and eco-tourism potential.
- A scientific paper proposing new conservation strategies for Cascadia.
Next Steps
To make this vision a reality, the proposed URI scheme can be:
- Adopted by organizations creating open data repositories for bioregions.
- Used in collaborative tools like discourse graphs and decentralized platforms.
- Integrated into knowledge graphs for ecological and bioregional data.
By accommodating regions smaller and larger than bioregions and aligning with existing frameworks, this URI scheme can provide a foundation for meaningful collaboration and regeneration.
Let’s build a future where collaboration thrives, and bioregions flourish. This URI scheme is one small step toward that vision—what do you think?