Abstract
We provide a global, spatially explicit characterization of 47 terrestrial habitat types, as defined in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) habitat classification scheme, which is widely used in ecological analyses, including for quantifying species’ Area of Habitat. We produced this novel habitat map for the year 2015 by creating a global decision tree that intersects the best currently available global data on land cover, climate and land use. We independently validated the map using occurrence data for 828 species of vertebrates (35152 point plus 8181 polygonal occurrences) and 6026 sampling sites. Across datasets and mapped classes we found on average a balanced accuracy of 0.77 (bar{+}0.14 SD) at Level 1 and 0.71 (bar{+}0.15 SD) at Level 2, while noting potential issues of using occurrence records for validation. The maps broaden our understanding of habitats globally, assist in constructing area of habitat refinements and are relevant for broad-scale ecological studies and future IUCN Red List assessments. Periodic updates are planned as better or more recent data becomes available.
Highlights
Background & SummaryHabitat loss is one of the primary causes of biodiversity decline[1,2,3,4]
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species uses a global standard typology that aims to categorize all species-relevant habitats into a system of pre-defined habitat classes[16]
Detailed descriptions of the habitat classes in this classification scheme are unfinished - with the latest available documentation draft dating to December 2012 - it is used by IUCN Red List assessors to describe species’ habitats preferences[20]
Summary
Background & SummaryHabitat loss is one of the primary causes of biodiversity decline[1,2,3,4]. There is a strong positive relationship between the extent and intactness of a species’ habitat and its population persistence[6,7,8], which may help species extinction risk assessments when information about other symptoms of risk is limited. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species uses a global standard typology (https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme) that aims to categorize all species-relevant habitats into a system of pre-defined habitat classes[16]. In this scheme 16 different broad habitat classes are listed at level 1 (e.g. forest, wetlands), with 119 more specific classes listed at level 2 (e.g. Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland). Detailed descriptions of the habitat classes in this classification scheme are unfinished - with the latest available documentation draft dating to December 2012 - it is used by IUCN Red List assessors to describe species’ habitats preferences[20]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
