A new high-resolution habitat distribution map for Austria, Liechtenstein, southern Germany, South Tyrol and Switzerland

Abstract

There is a growing need for fine-scale data on habitat distribution for large areas to comprehensively detect changes in biodiversity patterns, ecosystem service provision and sustainable landscape development against global change. We present a map of 19 habitat classes at a resolution of 25 m for Austria, Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria), Liechtenstein, Italy (South Tyrol) and Switzerland. Fine-scale data from various sources in the public domain (e. g. habitat mapping campaigns, Open Street Map, CORINE land cover 2006 (CLC2006), Joint Research Centre forest mapping, GIO-Land high resolution layers) were harmonized and supplemented by remote mapping and modelling techniques. Spatio-thematic accuracy checks with independent data sources have been conducted and the habitat classes further compared to the CLC2006 classification scheme. As a first map application we provide habitat class-specific proportions for national parks and biosphere reserves located within the mapping area in relation to their surroundings and further discuss additional fields of applications. The map will be freely available for non-commercial scientific use.