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Global Ecological Zones

ISO19115/19139 XML

Identification info
Title  Global Ecological Zones
Date  2001-07-01
Date type  Creation: Date identifies when the resource was brought into existence
Edition  First edition.
Presentation form  Digital map: Map represented in raster or vector form
Abstract  Along with the core information on state and changes in forests, FRA 2000 is reporting on various ecological aspects of forests. Forest resources information will be reported by ecological zone, which will contribute to understanding the implications of forest change on (ecosystem) biological diversity and carbon-cycling processes. The 2000 global ecological zone map has been developed, building upon the FRA 1990 experience for the tropics and extending the coverage to include the temperate and boreal forests. A globally consistent classification has been adopted, based on the Koppen-Trewartha climate system in combination with natural vegetation characteristics. A total of 19 global ecological zones have been defined and mapped, ranging from the evergreen tropical rainforest zone to the boreal tundra woodland zone. A main principle of delineating the global ecological zones involved the aggregation or matching of available regional ecological or potential vegetation maps into the global framework.
Purpose  Main uses of the map include: a) reporting purposes, to provide baseline forest statistics by ecological zone; b) analysis and modelling purposes, i.e. assessment of forest-based biological diversity, both at ecosystem and species level, and biomass modelling.
Status  On going: Data is continually being updated
Descriptive keywords  FORESTS .
Descriptive keywords  Global Ecological Zones , FRA 2000 .
Descriptive keywords  World (place).
Spatial representation type  Vector: Vector data is used to represent geographic data
Language  English
Character set  UTF8: 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646
Topic category code  Biota
Topic category code  Environment
Extent
Temporal Extent
Begin date  1999-07-01
Extent
Geographic bounding box
North bound
West bound
Polygon((-180 -90,180 -90,180 90,-180 90,-180 -90))
East bound
South bound
Supplemental Information  FAO's main partners in the development of the EZ map were the UNEP-WCMC, EDC and the have been instrumental in the production of the map by providing their expertise, advice and input data. A key event was the Cambridge expert consultation (July 1999), attended by some 20 regional ecozone experts, where the proposed classification framework was presented and adopted.
Distribution Information
Transfer options
OnLine resource  Link to Forest Resource Assessment website
Interactive Map  Global Ecological Zones
(OGC-WMS Server: http://data.fao.org/maps/wms?styles=geonetwork_eco_zone_1255_style )
View in Google Earth  Global Ecological Zones   View in Google Earth
OnLine resource  eco_zone.axl
Data for download  Global Ecological Zones - shapefile
Data quality info
Hierarchy level  Dataset: Information applies to the dataset
Description  Last Updated
Date / Time  2002-05-31 19:58:00
Metadata
File identifier  baa463d0-88fd-11da-a88f-000d939bc5d8
Metadata language  English
Character set  UTF8: 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646
Date stamp  2011-09-21T15:30:14
Metadata standard name  ISO 19115:2003/19139
Metadata standard version  1.0
Maintenance and update frequency  As needed: Data is updated as deemed necessary
Contact
Individual name  Dan Altrell
Role  Point of contact: Party who can be contacted for acquiring knowledge about or acquisition of the resource