Global Forest Types Based on Climatic and Vegetation Data

Forest types are generally identified using vegetation or land-use types. However, classifications less frequently consider the actual forest attributes within each type. To address this in an objective way across different regions and to link with their climate, we aimed improve distribution of be more realistic useful for biodiversity preservation, management, ecological forestry research. The were classified unsupervised cluster analysis method by combining climate variables normalized difference index (NDVI) data. Unforested masked out constrict our study type distributions, a 20% tree cover threshold. Descriptive names given defined based on annual temperature, precipitation, NDVI values. had distinct characteristics. Regions similar values, but characteristics, which would merged previous classifications, could clearly distinguished. small-range types, such as montane forests, challenging differentiate. At macroscale, resulting largely consistent land-cover studies. considering both potential current data allowed us create that differentiates thus can informative managers, conservationists, ecologists. newly generated is freely available download use non-commercial purposes GeoTIFF file via doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.19197.90082).