What are faunal zones used to describe?

Faunal zones are used specifically to describe the distribution of animal species across different geographic areas. These zones identify regions where distinct groups of animals live, which can be influenced by a variety of ecological factors, including climate, geography, and habitat types. By analyzing these zones, researchers can gain insights into biodiversity, ecosystem health, and conservation needs.

While the other options may relate to environmental science, they do not capture the primary focus of faunal zones. Climate variations pertain to the changes in weather patterns over time, plant diversity refers to the variety of plant species in a region, and soil types involve the classification of soils based on their characteristics and formation processes. These topics are related to ecology and environmental studies but do not pertain directly to the specific classification and study of animal species distributions that faunal zones represent.