Indicative distribution map for Ecosystem Functional Group T6.3 Polar tundra and deserts

This archive contains indicative distribution maps and profiles for T6.3 Polar tundra and deserts, a ecosystem functional group (EFG, level 3) of the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology (v2.0). Please refer to Keith et al. (2020) for details.

The descriptive profiles provide brief summaries of key ecological traits and processes, maps are indicative of global distribution patterns, and are not intended to represent fine-scale patterns. The maps show areas of the world containing major (value of 1, coloured red) or minor occurrences (value of 2, coloured yellow) of each ecosystem functional group. Minor occurrences are areas where an ecosystem functional group is scattered in patches within matrices of other ecosystem functional groups or where they occur in substantial areas, but only within a segment of a larger region. Given bounds of resolution and accuracy of source data, the maps should be used to query which EFG are likely to occur within areas, rather than which occur at particular point locations. Detailed methods and references for the maps are included in the profile (xml format).