Ecoregions are subdivisons of land area with relatively similar ecosystem characteristics and indicate areas; they tend to have similar diversity in flora, fauna and agricultural potential. The Sections delineated in the map to the left represent a Level III division of ecoregion as defined for the U.S. Forest Services National Heirarchical Framework of Ecological Units (ECOMAP).

Climate is just one of the characteristics used to delineate ecoregions. A change in climate will have an effect on the boundaries of these sections.

Land area is first divided into Domains, based on precipitation and temperature. Domains are further subdivided into Divisions (Level I) based on the climate patterns. Vegetation and land cover are taken into account to further define a province classification (Level II). Finally, terrain features and elevation are taken into account to define these sections.

Penn State University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Rhode Island, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science are collaborating with the U.S. EPA and private and public stakeholders of the mid- and upper-Atlantic region. Support for CARA is provided by the Global Change Research Program, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Cooperative Agreement R-83053301).

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