Using biodiversity features to promote an Ecosystem-Based Conservation framework in terrestrial ecosystems

PLOS One | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336705 November 21, 2025 4 / 18 Methods Study area This study was conducted in eight major terrestrial ecosystems (Fig 1) on the mainland of Tanzania. Tanzania has an exceptionally high diversity of terrestrial ecoregions and biomes within the Afrotropical realm, making it one of the most ecologically diverse countries in Africa [47]. Tanzania is located between 29⁰E and 41⁰E and 1⁰S and 12⁰S, covering 945,100 km² and is endowed with a rich variety of landscapes from coastal plains, upland areas and mountains includ- ing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, at 5,895 meters above sea level. The country has various bioclimatic and topographic zones, ranging from dry regions with precipitation levels below 400 mm to humid regions with precipitation levels exceeding 2000 mm annually [48]. Across these zones, temperatures vary broadly, typically ranging from 5.3⁰C to 33.1⁰C [49]. The country’s climate is tropical and divided into four main climatic zones: hot humid coastal plain, semi- arid central plateau, high rainfall lake regions, and the temperate highlands [50]. Classification of ecosystems A map of terrestrial ecosystems in Tanzania was created using the shapefiles of Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World [47], that are available under a CC BY 4.0 licence. These shapefiles were clipped to Tanzania’s national boundaries and Fig 1. Major terrestrial ecosystems in Tanzania. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336705.g001