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Ecosystem types of Europe

Data
Prod-ID: DAT-146-en
Created 07 Feb 2019 Published 26 Feb 2019 Last modified 17 Dec 2019
3 min read
The dataset combines the Copernicus land service portfolio and marine bathymetry and seabed information with the non-spatial EUNIS habitat classification for a better biological characterization of ecosystems across Europe. As such it represents probabilities of EUNIS habitat presence for each MAES ecosystem type.

European data

Ecosystem types of Europe - version 3.1
  • Full
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  • Full - INSPIRE METADATA
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  • Terrestrial
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  • Terrestrial - INSPIRE METADATA
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  • Terrestrial Reliability Map
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  • Terrestrial Reliability Map - INSPIRE METADATA
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  • Marine
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  • Marine - INSPIRE METADATA
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Metadata

information.png Reporting obligations (ROD)
  • Not applicable
Relation:
Parent data set:  Environmental Accounting Reference Layers - SDI
Parent data set:  EUNIS habitat classification
Parent data set:  Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - High Resolution Layers - Imperviousness
Parent data set:  Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - High Resolution Layers - Forests
Parent data set:  Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - Urban Atlas
Parent data set:  Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - Riparian Zones
Parent data set:  Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - N2K
Parent data set:  Conservation status of habitat types and species: datasets from Article 17, Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC reporting
Derived data set:  Environmental Accounting Reference Layers - SDI
information.png Scale of the data set:
1:100000
information.png Rights:
EEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (https://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).
information.png Disclaimer:
The data set aims to contribute to a better biological characterization of terrestrial and marine ecosystems across Europe. It represents probabilities of EUNIS (European Nature Information System) habitat presence in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, including information on permanent and seasonal sea ice coverage. Input information and methods are documented in the technical paper provided by the European Topic Centres on Biological Diversity (ETC/BD) and Urban Land and Soil (ULS). Geometric and thematic accuracy of the habitat mapping is documented in section 6.5 of the technical paper.
information.png Coordinate reference system:
EPSG:3035
information.png Data sources

CORINE Land Cover 2012 accounting layer 
HRL Forests 2012 (Forest Type, Tree Cover Density)
HRL Imperviousness 2012 
OpenStreetMap (OSM) data 2015 
Urban Atlas 2012 
Riparian Zones 2012
Natura 2000 (N2k) 2012
HRL Grassland 2012
HRL Permanent Water Bodies 2012
Emodnet bathymetry
Emodnet seabed-habitats

information.png Owners:
European Environment Agency (EEA)
information.png Processors:
European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity (ETC/BD)
European Topic Centre on Urban, Land and Soil Systems (ETC-ULS)

Additional information

The data set aims to contribute to a better biological characterization of terrestrial and marine ecosystems across Europe (EEA-39). It represents probabilities of EUNIS (European Nature Information System) habitat presence in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. The work supports the Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES), Action 5 of Target 2 the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, established to achieve the Aichi targets of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD).

Compared to the previous version v2.1 the current map represents an enhanced version making full use of the Copernicus land service portfolio, combined with most recent marine bathymetry, seabed and ice cover information. Input information and methods are documented in the technical paper provided by the European Topic Centres on Biological Diversity (ETC/BD) and Urban Land and Soil (ULS). Geometric and thematic accuracy of the habitat mapping is documented in section 6.5 of the technical paper.

 

Related content

Based on external data

Data Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - Urban Atlas The European Urban Atlas provides reliable, inter-comparable, high-resolution land use maps for over 300 Large Urban Zones and their surroundings (more than 100.000 inhabitants as defined by the Urban Audit) for the 2006 reference year in EU member states and for about 800 Functional Urban Area (FUA) and their surroundings (more than 50.000 inhabitants) for the 2012 and 2018 reference year in EEA39. Two additional layers were produced starting from the 2012 reference year: 1) Street Tree Layer within selected FUAs (depending on availability and suitability of satellite imagery) and 2) Building Heights for core urban areas of selected cities in EEA39. The first change layers were produced in 2012.
Data Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - High Resolution Layers - Forests The high resolution forest product consists of 3 types of (status) products, and additional change products. The status products are available for 2012, 2015, and 2018 reference years: Tree cover density (TCD) (level of tree cover density in a range from 0-100%) Dominant leaf type (DLT) (broadleaved or coniferous majority) A Forest type product (FTY). The forest type product allows to get as close as possible to the FAO forest definition. In its original (10m (2018) / 20m (2012, 2015)) resolution it consists of two products: 1) a dominant leaf type product that has a MMU of 0.5 ha, as well as a 10% tree cover density threshold applied, and 2) a support layer that maps, based on the dominant leaf type product, trees under agricultural use and in urban context (derived from CLC and imperviousness 2009 data). For the final 100m product trees under agricultural use and urban context from the support layer are removed. NEW for 2018: the 10m 2018 reference year FTY product now also has the agricultural/urban trees removed. In the past this was done only for the 100m product, now it is consistently applied for both the 10m and the 100m FTY products. Change layers The forest change products are new, and comprise a) TCDC: a simple tree cover density change product for 2012-2015 (% increase or decrease of real TCD changes). For the 2015-2018 mapping, the change layer is instead only masking loss and new tree cover. b) experimental complex dominant leaf type change product (DLTC), mapping different types of dominant leaf type changes (not yet available online).
Data Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - High Resolution Layers - Imperviousness The imperviousness products capture the percentage and change of soil sealing. Sealed/Impervious areas are characterized by the substitution of the original (semi-) natural land cover or water surface with an artificial, often impervious cover. These artificial surfaces are usually maintained over long periods of time. The imperviousness HRL captures the spatial distribution of artificially sealed areas, including the level of sealing of the soil per area unit. The level of sealed soil (imperviousness degree 1-100%) is produced using a semi-automated classification, based on calibrated NDVI. Imperviousness data is available for the reference years 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018, and contains two types of products: 1. Status layers Imperviousness Density (IMD) The percentage of sealed area is mapped for each status layer for any of the 5 reference years (e.g. degree of Imperviousness 2012). The status layers are available in 10m spatial resolution (2018), 20m spatial resolution (2006-2015), and as aggregated 100m products. Impervious Built-up (IBU) This product shows built-up areas, the part of the sealed surfaces where buildings can be found. Built-up areas are a sub-group of the sealed areas. It refers to areas where above-ground building constructions can be found. In contrast to the Imperviousness characterized by a continuous range of imperviousness measurements, built-up in the HRL 2018 is a binary product, expressed as built-up or non-built-up areas. This product is new for the 2018 mapping campaign and is available in 10 meter resolution, as well as a 100 meter aggregated version called Share of Built-up (SBU) 2. Change layers Two types of change products are available for each of the 3-year periods between the 5 reference years (2006-2009, 2009-2012, 2012-2015, 2015-2018), and in addition, for the period 2006-2012 (that is in line with the 6-year period between two Corine Land Cover products): a) A simple layer mapping the percentage of sealing increase or decrease for those pixels that show real sealing change in the period covered. This product is available in 20m and 100m pixel size. b) A classified change product that maps the most relevant categories of sealing change (unchanged no sealing, new cover, loss of cover, unchanged sealed, increased sealing, decreased sealing). This product is available in 20m pixel size only.
Data Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - N2K Natura 2000 (an EU-wide network of nature protection areas established under the 1992 Habitats Directive) is the centrepiece of EU nature & biodiversity policy. The aim of the network is to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. A selection of Natura 2000 grassland-rich sites (5 grassland habitats types 6210, 6240, 6250, 6510 and 6520, including a 2km buffer and covering approx. 160.000 km2) sites was mapped in order to assess their actual area, their condition and their development over time. The sites were analysed for the 2006, 2012 and 2018 reference years and a change analysis was performed. The mapping also included a 2 km buffer zone where an analysis of pressures and threats was conducted.
Data Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - Riparian Zones Riparian zones represent transitional areas occurring between land and freshwater ecosystems, characterised by distinctive hydrology, soil and biotic conditions and strongly influenced by the stream water. They provide a wide range of riparian functions (e.g. chemical filtration, flood control, bank stabilization, aquatic life and riparian wildlife support, etc.) and ecosystem services. Three complementary product groups provide detailed information on the state and characteristics of riparian zones across the EEA member and cooperating countries: Land Cover / Land Use (LCLU), Delineation of Riparian Zones (DRZ), Green Linear Elements (GLE).

Derived dataset

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Related publications

Publication Mapping and assessing the condition of Europe's ecosystems: progress and challenges We depend on healthy and resilient ecosystems to continue to deliver services, such as food, water, clean air and stable climate, which are essential for our well-being. This report provides an overview about the current condition of ecosystems in Europe and the human pressures they are exposed to. A ecosystem map for Europe reveals that many ecosystems are highly concentrated in a small number of countries, which could increase their vulnerability to environmental change, and a substantial proportion of the most vulnerable ecosystems are not protected within Natura 2000 sites, Marine Protected Areas or equivalent zones.
Publication European ecosystem assessment — concept, data, and implementation Contribution to Target 2 Action 5 Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020

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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/ecosystem-types-of-europe-1 or scan the QR code.

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