# Environmental zones 2018 - version 1.0, June 2020

This dataset is based on the Environmental Stratification of Europe (EnS) dataset from the University of Edinburgh, a statistically derived land classification which provides a novel global spatial framework for the integration and analysis of ecological and environmental data (Metzger, Marc J. 2018). It provides a robust spatial analytical framework for the aggregation of local observations, identification of gaps in current monitoring efforts and systematic design of complementary and new monitoring and research.

The version 8 of the source EnS dataset, used for the creation of this dataset, distinguishes 84 strata that are relatively homogeneous in environmental conditions and can be aggregated into 13 environmental zones:
•	Alpine North (ALN)
•	Boreal (BOR)
•	Nemoral (NEM)
•	Atlantic North (ATN)
•	Alpine South (ALS)
•	Continental (CON)
•	Atlantic Central (ATC)
•	Pannonian (PAN)
•	Lusitanian (LUS)
•	Anatolian (ANA)
•	Mediterranean Mountains (MDM)
•	Mediterranean North (MDN)
•	Mediterranean South (MDS)

The original dataset (vector format, 1 km spatial resolution) has been rasterised into pixel size of 100m to align with Corine Land Cover. Its spatial coverage has been extended as follows: 
•	Türkiye is covered only partially in the original dataset. Missing parts are supplemented by a comparable national dataset provided by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Türkiye.
•	The dataset is extended along the coastline to fully cover the spatial extent of CORINE Land Cover.
•	Canary Islands, Madeira archipelago and the Azores are not included in the original dataset and added as environmental zone “Macaronesia (MAC)”.
•	Iceland is not included in the original dataset and added as environmental zone “Arctic (ARC)”https://sdi.eea.europa.eu/geonetwork/srv/api/records/6ef007ab-1fcd-4c4f-bc96-14e8afbcb688


[More information](https://sdi.eea.europa.eu/catalogue/srv/api/records/6ef007ab-1fcd-4c4f-bc96-14e8afbcb688)
    