Global Ecosystems Database (GED)
Version II (2000)

Summary of Contents
Including all datasets from GED Disc-A (1992) 
and GED Disc-B (1997)

Datasets in the GED are defined by authorship and title and grouped in databases according to geographical coverage, georeference system, and projection. Resolution of data will vary between global, regional, and local databases, as well as within a dataset; however all grids and reference systems are geographically compatible within a database group. All datasets are in a common GIS structure and format (IDRISI 4+/IDRISI for Windows/Idrisi32, available from Clark University). The format is open (non-proprietary) and documented in the User's Guide for alternative access methods. Comprehensive documentation is provided for each dataset and a comprehensive user's guide accompanies the database.

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Global Geodetic Database (GLGEO)

Cartesian orthonormal geodetic (Latitude/Longitude), or "Platte Carree," mapping (in degrees) for the globe (WGS84 assumed).

A01

Kineman, J. and Hastings, D. Monthly Generalized Global Vegetation Index from NESDIS NOAA-9 Weekly GVI Data (APR 1985 - DEC 1988). Monthly GVI time series and Annual Principle Components. Digital raster data on a 10-minute grid (1080x2160 cells).. Forty-five independent and twenty-four derived single-attribute spatial layers. 189,057,701 bytes in 148 files.

A02

Gallo, K. Monthly Global Vegetation Index from Gallo Bi-Weekly Experimental Calibrated GVI (April 1985 ­ December 1990). Monthly Calibrated GVI time series. Digital raster data on a 10-minute (1080x2160 cell) grid. Sixty-nine independent single-attribute data layers. 161,026,150 bytes in 141 files..

A03

Leemans, R., and W.P. Cramer. IIASA Database for Mean Monthly Values of Temperature, Precipitation, and Cloudiness on a Global Terrestrial Grid. Long-term mean monthly temperature, precipitation, and cloudiness (percent sunshine). Digital raster data on a 30 minute grid (360x720 cells). Thirty-six independent single-attribute spatial layers. 15,588,254 bytes in 77 files. [original data published in 1991 by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)]

A04

Legates, D.R. and C.J. Willmott. Monthly Average Surface Air Temperature and Precipitation. Long-term mean monthly temperature and standard deviation, measured precipitation and standard deviation, corrected precipitation and standard deviation, and precipitation error. Digital raster data on a 30 minute grid (360x720 cells). Forty-eight independent and four derived single-attribute spatial layers. 47,846,439 bytes in 194 files. [original data published in 1989 by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and in 1990 by the International Journal of Climatology and the Journal of Theoretical and Applied Climatology]

A05

Olson, J.S. World Ecosystems (WE1.4). Ecosystem classes and resolution codes. Digital raster data on 10-minute (1080x2160 cells) and 30-minute grid (360x720 cells). Three independent single-attribute spatial layers. 5,004,768 bytes in 8 files. [updated and revised by author from data published in 1985 by the USDOE Carbon Dioxide Information and Analysis Center]

A06

Leemans, R. Global Holdridge Life Zone Classifications. Life zone classifications and aggregated life zone classifications. Digital raster data on a 30 minute grid (360x720 cells). Two independent single-attribute spatial layers.537,430 bytes in 8 files. [original data published in 1989 by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)]

A07

Matthews, E. Global Vegetation, Land­Use, and Seasonal Albedo. Cultivation intensity, seasonal albedo, and vegetation type. Digital raster data on a 1 degree grid (180x360 cells). Six independent single-attribute spatial layers. 667,424 bytes in 15 files. [incorporates original data published in 1983 by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center]

A08

Lerner, J., E. Matthews, and I. Fung. Methane Emmission from Animals: A Global High Resolution Database. Camel, caribou, dairy and non-dairy cow, goat, horse, pig, sheep, and water buffalo densities; and total methane emissions. Digital raster data on a 1-degree grid (180x360 cells). Eleven independent single-attribute spatial layers. 2,869,843 bytes in 25 files. [incorporates original data published in 1988 by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center]

A09

Matthews, E. and I. Fung. Global Data Bases on Distribution, Characteristics and Methane Emission of Natural Wetlands. Wetland type classes, wetland data source codes, fractional inundation, UNESCO vegetation type classes, and soil type classes. Digital raster data on a 1-degree grid (180x360 cells). Five independent single-attribute spatial layers. 688,506 bytes in 12 files. [incorporates original data published in 1989 by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center]

A10

Wilson, M.F. and A. Henderson­Sellers. A global archive of land cover and soils data for use in general circulation climate models. Primary and secondary vegetation cover classifications and data reliability; soil classification, properties, and data reliability. Digital raster data on a 1-degree grid (180x360 cells). Five independent single-attribute spatial layers. 347,531 bytes in 13 files. [incorporates original data published in 1985 by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center]

A11

Staub, B. and C. Rosenzweig. Global Zobler Soil Type, Soil Texture, Surface Slope, and Other Properties. Multiple Zobler soil codes, slope, and texture. 2nd edition. Digital raster data on a 1-degree grid (180x360 cells). Seven independent single-attribute spatial layers. 561,782 bytes in 16 files. [incorporates original data published in 1986 by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center]

A12

Webb, Robert S., Cynthia E. Rosenzweig, and Elissa R. Levine. A Global Data Set of Soil Particle Size Properties. Horizon depth, soil profile thicknesss, soil percent sand, silt, and clay in horizons, soil water model, texture-based potential water storage, potential water storage in profile and root zone, Zobler soil classes, and continental reference. 2nd edition. Digital raster data on a 1-degree grid (180x360 cells). Seven single-attribute spatial layers and four spatial layers with 15 attributes each. 16,406,511 bytes in 136 files. [incorporates original data published in 1986 by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center]

A13

Clark, L. FNOC Elevation, Terrain, and Surface Characteristics. Elevation statistics, terrain type classifications, number and direction of major ridges, urban and water land cover. Digital raster data on a 10-minute grid (1080x2160 cells). Ten single-attribute spatial layers. 30,366,091 bytes in 22 files. [incorporates original data from the US Navy Fleet Numerical Oceanographic Center improved by the National Center for Atmospheric Research and published in 1981 by the NOAA National Geophysical Data Center]

A14		(see B14a)

A15		Edwards, M. Gridded Elevation and Bathymetry. Elevation and bathymetry. Digital raster data on a 5-minute grid (2160x4320 cells). 1 independent single-attribute spatial layer. 18,674,879 bytes in 4 files. [regridded from EtopO5, published in 1989 by the NOAA National Geophysical Datta Center]

A16

FAO/UNESCO. UNEP Gridded FAO/UNESCO Soil Units. Soil unit classes (only). Digital raster data on a 2-minute grid (10800x5400 cells). One single-attribute spatial layer. 58,343,747 bytes in 6 files. [incorporates original FAO/UNESCO data published in 1984 by the UNEP Global Resrouces Information Database]

B01

Fedorova, I.T., Y.A. Volkova, and D.L. Varlyguin. World Vegetation Cover.Vegetation units and classifications. Digital vector data on a 10-minute resolution polygon network with attributes, and derived raster data on a 10-minute grid (1080x2160 cells). One independent spatial layer and with three attributes. 11,806,343 bytes in 19 files. [Note: companion to B02]

B02

Bazilevich, N.I. Global Primary Productivity: Phytomass, Net Primary Production, and Mortmass. Net Primary Productivity, phytomass, mortmass, climate, location, and species associations for world vegetation cover types. Digital raster data on a 10-minute grid (1080x2160cells). Multiple attribute table and three derived single-attribute spatial layers based on the Fedorova et al. World Vegetation Cover map. 8,047,282 bytes in 18 files. [Note: companion to B01]

B03

Bailey, R.G. Bailey Ecoregions of the Continents (reprojected). Global ecoregion classifications. Digital vector data on a 0.3 degree resolution polygon network with attributes, and derived raster data on a 10-minute grid (1080x2160 cells). One independent spatial layer with three attributes. 10,235,790 bytes in 15 files..

B04

Ryutaro Tateishi and Koji Kajiwara. Monthly Maximum Global Vegetation Index and Land Cover Classifications from NOAA-9 (JAN 1986 - DEC 1989).Monthly maximum GVI time series and land cover classifications. Digital raster data on a 10-minute grid (1080x2160 cells). Four year time series of forty-eight independent and one dependent single-attribute spatial layers. 121,361,591 bytes in 105 files.

B05

Pinker, R.T., and I. Laszlo. Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) and Conversion Factors (CF).Surface downward photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) time series, and surface PAR shortwave conversion factor time series. Digital vector data on a 2.5 degree lattice (144x72 points) with attribute tables; and digital raster data on a 2.5 degree grid (144x72 cells). Five year time series for each of two independent attribute layers. 26,920,435 bytes in 286 files.

B06		Dixon, R.K., P.E. Schroeder, and J.K. Winjum. Global Forest Practices Database.Multiple attributes for forest practice types, with ecoregion and country references. Digital tabular data with thirty-six attributes for DBMS.. 2,177,350 bytes in four files.

B07

Brown, O. Weekly NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiomenter Multichannel Sea Surface Temperature (APR - JUN 1989). Weekly SST and number of observations. Digital raster data on a 10-minute grid (1080x2160 cells). Time series of twenty-six independent single-attribute spatial layers. 121,337,189 bytes in 55 files.

B08

Chang, A., J.L. Foster, D.K. Hall, H.W. Powell, and Y.L. Chien. Monthly Nimbus-7 SMMR Derived Global Snow Cover and Snow Depth Data Set (OCT 1978 - AUG 1987).Combined snow depth in centimeters and snow cover classes. Digital raster data on a half-degree grid (720 by 360 cells). One hundred and seven independent single-attribute spatial layers. 28,491,156 bytes in 217 files.

B09		Hastings and Amano. Improved FNOC Percentage of Urban Development. Percentage urban development. Digital raster data on a 10-minute grid (1080x2160 cells). One single-attribute spatial layer. 2,353,699 bytes in 4 files.

B14a		Pospeschil, F. Micro World Databank II (MWDB­II). Coast, country, island, lake, and river boundaries. Digital vector line data at 1-minute resolution. Six independent single-attribute spatial layers. Together with B14b: 1,685,849 bytes in 29 files. [first published in 1988 by MicroDoc]

Southeast Asia Geodetic Database (SEAGEO)

B10

Bachelet, D. Calculated UV-B Irradiance for Southern and Eastern Asia.Maximum daily effective UV-B and month of maximum daily effective UV-B (average cloud conditions and cloudless sky). Digital vector data in a polygon network and rasterized data on a 10-minute grid (480x600 cells) covering Southeast Asia. Four independent single-attribute spatial layers. 1,731,734 bytes in 19 files.

B11

Huke, R.. Agroclimatology for South, Southeast, and East Asia. Agroclimatology classes and dry-season maps. Digital vector data in a polygon network and rasterized data on a 10-minute grid (480x600 cells) covering portions of southeast Asia, China and Korea. Four independent single-attribute spatial layers. 1,445,540 bytes in 26 files.

United States Albers Database (USALB)

Albers equal area conic projection (in meters) covering the conterminous United States.

B12

USEPA Global Climate Research Program. EPA (Corvallis) Climate Database and 2xCO2 Predictions.Average month (control and four models) temperature, vapor pressure, and precipitation; average month (control and two models) potential evapotranspiration; and average month (control) winds. Digital raster data on a 10 km. grid (295x470 cells). Two hundred and thirty independent single-attribute spatial layers in a 12 month time series. 63,944,932 bytes in four hundred and 81 files. Includes: B12a: Marks, D.L. 1997. Regional Water Balance Model. B12b: Daly, C., R. P. Neilson, and D. L. Phillips. 1977. PRISM Model Precipitation.

B13:

Kuchler, A.W. Potential Natural Vegetation of the Conterminous United States.Vegetation classes at two levels. Digital vector polygon network with attribute table, and derived raster data and derived raster data on a 5 km. grid (590x940 cells) covering the conterminous United States. One independent and one dependent single-attribute spatial layers. 3,580,905 bytes in 13 files.

B14b		Pospeschil, F. Micro World Databank II (MWDB­II). Coast, country, states, island, lake, and river boundaries. Digital vector data at 1-minute resolution. Seven independent single-attribute spatial layers. Together with B14a: 1,685,810 bytes in 29 files. [first published in 1988 by MicroDoc]