EFG M1.2 Kelp forests – current maps

M1. Marine shelf biome

M1
valid
Published

June 7, 2024

This page provides information about the valid indicative distribution map for the ecosystem functional group M1.2 Kelp forests. For older or alternative maps, see here.

Methods

Here is the methods summary for Map code and version: M1.2.web.orig v2.2.

Ecoregions with major and minor occurrences of Kelp forests were identified by overlaying a global map of kelp systems (Wernberg and Filbee-Dexter 2019) on marine ecoregions (Spalding et al. 2008), and then clipping to bathymetry with <80m depth (Becker et al. 2009). Clipped ecoregions were assigned to major and minor occurrences based on information in Wernberg and Filbee-Dexter (2019) and author expertise, and proofed by specialist reviewers. Occurrences were converted to 30 arc second spatial resolution.

Datasets

Kelpforest-list (Wernberg and Filbee-Dexler 2019):

Source of distribution range. Resolution: variable (points), static. Accuracy evaluation: known records.

MEOW-2008 (Spalding MD et al. 2008):

Source of biogeographical range. Resolution: variable (polygons), static. Accuracy evaluation: qualitative (experts judgement).

dataset url
MEOW-2008 https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/marine-ecoregions-of-the-world-a-bioregionalization-of-coastal-and-shelf-areas :: https://databasin.org/datasets/3b6b12e7bcca419990c9081c0af254a2 :: http://maps.tnc.org/gis_data.html

Processing

Processing steps used in this map are: NA.

Map evaluation

This map is considered to be a Medium quality map based on the following characteristics:

Concept alignment is Direct,general.

Ground observations are yes.

The accuracy evaluation Known records,documented,qualitative.

How to use the data

Available files

Following maps are considered current and valid indicative distribution maps for this ecosystem functional group. Web navigation maps are optimised for use in webapps, but they have similar methods and differ only in details of format and processing.

  • Web navigation (code: M1.2.web.orig, version v2.2)
  • Indicative Map (code: M1.2.IM.orig, version v2.1)

You can download geospatial data for this map from the following sources:

M1.2.web.orig (v2.2): Google Cloud bucket :: Zenodo repository (bundle of maps) :: Zenodo repository (EFG map) :: Mapbox tileset :: Earth Engine assets

M1.2.IM.orig (v2.1): Google Cloud bucket :: Zenodo repository (bundle of maps)

Note that you need to login to some services like mapbox or earthengine, and in some cases you also need to request access to the files.

License information

Indicative maps have been released with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.

Datasets used to create this map might have some restriction for commercial use, see details below.

dataset license_info
MEOW-2008 Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 License :: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0

References

References used in this version of the maps.

  • Wernberg T, Filbee-Dexter K (2019) Missing the marine forest for the trees Mar Ecol Prog Ser 612:209-215 DOI:10.3354/meps12867

  • Spalding MD, Fox HE, Allen GR, Davidson N, Ferdaña ZA, Finlayson M, Halpern BS, Jorge MA, Lombana A, Lourie SA, Martin KD, McManus E, Molnar J, Recchia CA, Robertson J (2007) Marine ecoregions of the world: a bioregionalization of coastal and shelf areas. Bioscience 57: 573–583. DOI:10.1641/B570707

  • Becker JJ, Sandwell DT, Smith WHF, Braud J, Binder B, Depner J, Fabre D, Factor J, Ingalls S, Kim S-H, Ladner R, Marks K, Nelson S, Pharaoh A, Trimmer R, Von Rosenberg J, Wallace G, Weatherall P (2009) Global Bathymetry and Elevation Data at 30 Arc Seconds Resolution: SRTM30_PLUS, Marine Geodesy 32: 355-371. DOI:10.1080/01490410903297766