Table 1. Description template for ecosystem types.
| Elements of operational definition | Components of ecosystem description |
| 1. Characteristic assemblage of biota | Identify defining biotic features |
| a) List diagnostic native species and describe their relative dominance and uniqueness | |
| b) List functional component of characteristic biota and identify their roles | |
| c) Describe limits of variability in the ecosystem biota | |
| d) Exemplar photographs | |
| 2. Associated physical environment | Identify defining abiotic features (e.g. climate, terrain, water chemistry, depth, turbidity, ocean currents, substrate, etc.) |
| a) Text descriptions and citations for characteristic states or values of abiotic variables | |
| b) Graphical descriptions of abiotic variables | |
| c) Exemplar photographs | |
| 3. Processes & interactions between components | Describe key ecosystem drivers and threatening processes |
| – among biota | a) Text descriptions and citations |
| – between biota & environment | b) Diagrammatic process models |
| c) Exemplar photographs | |
| 4. Spatial extent | Describe distribution and extent |
| a) Maps | |
| b) Estimates of area | |
| c) Time series, projections (past, present, future) | |
| 5. Classification context | Cross-references to relevant ecological classifications |
| a) Source classification | |
| b) IUCN habitat classification | |
| c) Ecoregional classifications | |
| 6. Reference state(s) | Describe ecosystem-specific point of collapse |
| a) Proxy variable | |
| b) Bounded threshold of collapse |
See Appendix S2 for examples.