Characterizing macroinvertebrate communities across China: Large-scale implementation of a self-organizing map

► We used geographical division analysis to cluster stream ecosystems in China. ► SOM showed different gradients along the changes of biotic variables. ► The environmental gradient was not clear from northern to southwestern China. ► The spatial variation was the main determinant for invertebrates on a large scale. ► SOM was efficient on a broad geographic framework for classifying streams.