Copernicus Global Land Service: Global biome cluster layer for the 100m global land cover processing line

A map of 73 global biome clusters, geographic areas that were grouped to optimize the global 100m land cover processing.

In order to group Earth Observation data for faster processing or adaptation of algorithms to specific regions, the 100m global land cover (CGLS-LC100) algorithm uses a Global Biome Cluster layer. The term biome cluster hereby refers to a geographic area which has similar bio-geophysical parameters and, therefore, can be grouped for processing. In other words, the biome cluster layer can be seen as an ecological regionalisation which outlines areas of similar environmental conditions, ecological processes, and biotic communities (Coops et al., 2018). There are already several global regionalisation layers existing, e.g. Ecoregions 2017 global dataset (Dinerstein et al., 2017), Geiger-Koeppen global ecozones after Olofsson update (Olofsson et al., 2012), Global ecological zones for FAO forest reporting with update 2010 (FAO, 2012). But several tests in the CGLS-LC100 workflow have shown that the existing layers did not provide the required global and continental classification accuracy. These findings go along with Coops et al. (2018) who stated that "Most regionalisations are made based on subjective criteria, and cannot be readily revised, leading to outstanding questions with respect to how to optimally develop and define them."

Therefore, we decided to develop a customized ecological regionalisation layer which performs best with the given PROBA-V remote sensing data and the specifications of the CGLS-LC100 product. It groups spectral similar areas and helps to optimize the later classification/regression to regional patterns. Input into the layer creation were well-known existing datasets which were combined, re-grouped and advanced based on prior CGLS-LC100 classification results and local mapping knowledge of the workflow developer. To ensure that this layer is clearly separable from other existing regionalisations and not mistakenly interpreted as an eco-region layer, we decide to call it biome clusters layer.

The following steps outline the global biome clusters layer generation:

• Spatial union of Ecoregions 2017 dataset (Dinerstein et al., 2017), Geiger-Koeppen dataset (Olofsson et al., 2012) and Global FAO eco-regions datasets (FAO, 2012);
• Regrouping and dissolving by using experience from first global CGLS-LC100 mapping results and subjective mapping experience of the developer;
• Refinement of the biome clusters in the High North latitudes via incorporation of a Global tree-line layer (Alaska Geobotany Center, 2003);
• Manual improvement of borders between biome clusters to reduce classification artefacts by using a DEM and mapping experience from previous projects and continental test runs;
• Usage of a global land/sea mask, the Sentinel-2 tiling grid and PROBA-V imaging extent to extend the borders of the biome clusters into the sea to make sure that also small islands on the coastline are correctly processed.

When developing a regionalisation, the definition of the clusters and the boundaries that delineate them in time and space is the key challenge. Overall, the map distinguishes 73 global biome clusters.