Simplified Biogeographical Realms of the World (polygons)


ISO-19139 Metadata

Resource Identification Information:

Citation:
Title:  Simplified Biogeographical Realms of the World (polygons)

Reference date - publication:  2004

Edition: Version 2.0
Presentation format:  mapDigital

Other citation details: This is an update to version 1.0 which was completed in 2001. Citation: Olson, D.M., E. Dinerstein, E.D. Wikramanayake, N.D. Burgess, G.V.N. Powell, E.C. Underwood, J.A. D'Amico, I. Itoua, H.E. Strand, J.C. Morrison, C.J. Loucks, T.F. Allnutt, T.H. Ricketts, Y. Kura, J.F. Lamoreux, W.W. Wettengel, P. Hedao, and K.R. Kassem. Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth (PDF, 1.1M) BioScience 51:933-938. Subsequently modified and extended at UNEP-WCMC (2011)

Party responsible for the resource - originator:
Organization's name: World Wildlife Fund - US

Place keywords:
Keywords:  world

Theme keywords:
Keywords:  Biogeographical Realm, Realm

Theme keywords:
Keywords:  Biogeographical Realm, Realm

Descriptive keywords:
Keywords:  Downloadable Data

Thesaurus name: ArcGIS Content Type
Abstract:  This map is a simplified representation of the eight Biogeographical Realms of the world. This global map provides a useful general framework for conducting biogeographical or macroecological research. The realms are based originally on ecoregion delineations on hundreds of previous biogeographical studies, and refined and synthesized existing information in regional workshops over 10 years to assemble the global dataset. Ecoregions were then nested within two higher-order classifications to produce biomes (14) and biogeographic realms (8). Together, these nested classification levels provide a framework for comparison among units and the identification of representative habitats and species assemblages.

Purpose: A global map of Biogeographical Realms of the world.

Dataset language:  eng
Dataset character set:  utf8

Status:  completed
Maintenance:
Update frequency:  asNeeded


Resource constraints:
Constraints:
Limitations of use: Any modification of the original map by users to ecoregion boundaries, units, names, or realm and biome classes must be noted.

Resource constraints:
Legal constraints:
Access constraints:  otherRestrictions

Other constraints: This data is available for use for valid scientific, conservation, and educational purposes.

Spatial representation type:  vector

Processing environment: ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.3000

Extent:
Geographic element - Bounding rectangle:
Extent contains the resource: true
West longitude: -179.999995
East longitude: 179.999991
North latitude: 89.999983
South latitude: -89.999983
Extent:
Extent description: publication date

Extent:
Geographic element - Bounding rectangle:
Extent contains the resource: true
West longitude: -179.999989
East longitude: 179.999989
North latitude: 89
South latitude: -89
Credits: Olson, D.M., E. Dinerstein, E.D. Wikramanayake, N.D. Burgess, G.V.N. Powell, E.C. Underwood, J.A. D’Amico, H.E. Strand, J.C. Morrison, C.J. Loucks, T.F. Allnutt, J.F. Lamoreux, T.H. Ricketts, I. Itoua, W.W. Wettengel, Y. Kura, P. Hedao, and K. Kassem. (2001). Terrestrial ecoregions of the world: A new map of life on Earth. BioScience 51(11):933-938. DOI: 10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2.

Point of contact - pointOfContact:
Individual's name: Nasser Olwero
Organization's name: Conservation Science Program - World Wildlife Fund
Contact's position: GIS Manager

Contact information:
Phone:
Voice: 202-822-3452
Address:
Delivery point: 1250 24th St NW
City: Washington
Administrative area: DC
Postal code: 20037
Country:  US
e-mail address: nasser.olwero@wwfus.org

Spatial Representation - Vector:

Level of topology for this dataset:  geometryOnly
Geometric objects:
Object type:  composite
Object count: 11

Reference System Information:

Reference system identifier:
Value: 3857
Code space: EPSG
Version: 6.18.3(9.3.1.2)

Data Quality Information:

Scope of quality information:
Level of the data:dataset

Lineage:
Process step:
Description: This dataset was created to allow complete diagrammatic representation of the world's Biogeographical Realms on a map. The original data only showed boundaries which crossed land masses. Such data was extremely intricate and detailed. To represent this information clearly on a global map, original data was much simplified (by eye) where it crossed land masses and was extended across the oceans in the same way. Efforts were made to enable features to link across at longitude 180 degrees so that the information can be shown with a central meridian of other than 0 degrees (Greenwich).

Source data:
Source citation:
Title:
Alternate titles:  withheld

Process step:
When the process occurred:  2011-03-10T13:05:34
Description: Metadata imported.

Source data:
Source citation:
Title:
Alternate titles:  withheld

Distribution Information:

Format:
Format name: Enterprise Geodatabase Feature Class

Transfer options:

Metadata Information:

Metadata language:  eng
Metadata character set:  utf8


Last update:  2021-09-23

Metadata contact - pointOfContact:
Individual's name: The person responsible for the metadata information.
Organization's name: The organization responsible for the metadata information.

Contact information:
Phone:
Voice: The telephone number by which individuals can speak to the organization or individual.
Address:
City: The city of the address.
Administrative area: The state or province of the address.
Postal code: The ZIP or other postal code of the address.
Scope of the data described by the metadata:  dataset
Scope name: dataset

Name of the metadata standard used: INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules: Technical Guidelines based on EN ISO 19115 and EN ISO 19119
Version of the metadata standard: V. 1.2