This dataset combines two separately published datasets: the\n\u201cMarine Ecoregions Of the World\u201d (MEOW; 2007) and the \u201cPelagic Provinces Of the\nWorld\u201d (PPOW; 2012). These datasets were developed by Mark Spalding and\ncolleagues in The Nature Conservancy. Alongside the individual authors,\npartners for the MEOW layer included WWF, Ramsar, WCS, and UNEP-WCMC. The\necoregions and pelagic provinces are broadly aligned with each other and are\nnon-overlapping. <\/p>\n\n
The MEOW dataset shows a biogeographic classification of the\nworld's coastal and continental shelf waters, following a nested hierarchy of\nrealms, provinces and ecoregions. It describes 232 ecoregions, which lie within\n62 provinces and 12 large realms. The regions aim to capture generic patterns\nof biodiversity across habitats and taxa, with regions extending from the coast\n(intertidal zone) to the 200 m depth contour (extended beyond these waters out\nby a 5 km buffer).<\/p>\n\n
The PPOW dataset shows a biogeographic classification of the\nsurface pelagic (i.e. epipelagic) waters of the world's oceans. It describes 37\npelagic provinces of the world, nested into four broad realms. A system of\nseven biomes are also identified ecologically, and these are spatially disjoint\nbut united by common abiotic conditions, thereby creating physiognomically\nsimilar communities.<\/p>", "summary": "This dataset was developed to address the need for a detailed, biogeographic system to classify the oceans. It provides better spatial resolution than earlier global systems, but may also be cross-referenced to many regional biogeographic classifications.", "title": "WCMC036_MEOW_PPOW_2007_2012", "tags": [ "marine", "coastal", "high seas", "pelagic", "meow", "ppow" ], "type": "Map Service", "typeKeywords": [ "Data", "Service", "Map Service", "ArcGIS Server" ], "thumbnail": "thumbnail/thumbnail.png", "url": "", "extent": [ [ -179.9999999999, -85.2359000003846 ], [ 180.0000000001, 90.0000000001001 ] ], "minScale": 0, "maxScale": 1.7976931348623157E308, "spatialReference": "GCS_WGS_1984", "accessInformation": "The Nature Conservancy (2012). Marine Ecoregions and Pelagic Provinces of the World. GIS layers developed by The Nature Conservancy with multiple partners, combined from Spalding et al. (2007) and Spalding et al. (2012). Cambridge (UK): The Nature Conservancy. DOIs: 10.1641/B570707; 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2011.12.016. Data URL: http://data.unepwcmc.org/datasets/38, 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 coast and shelf areas. BioScience 57: 573-583. DOI: 10.1641/B570707., Spalding MD, Agostini VN, Rice J, Grant SM (2012). Pelagic provinces of the world): a biogeographic classification of the world\u2019s surface pelagic waters. Ocean and Coastal Management 60: 19-30. DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2011.12.016.", "licenseInfo": "UNEP-WCMC General Data License (excluding WDPA). See www.unepwcmc.org/policies/general-data-license-excluding-wdpa#data_policy<\/a> and www.unep-wcmc.org/policies<\/a>. For commercial use, please contact businesssupport@unep-wcmc.org." }