IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology

In brief

The Global Ecosystem Typology is intended for policy, media and technical specialists interested in better understanding ecosystem dynamics.
Supported by maps, infographics and pictures, this tool makes ecosystems more accessible to all. It provides summary as well as in-depth information on notions such as realms, biomes, functional groups and more technical notions such as ecological drivers, distribution  that can help specialists to assess ecosystems.

The IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology allows to align ecosystem accounting, and ecosystem risk assessment.

Development of the typology

This typology was developed over more than two years, with an extensive development and review process initiated and co-ordinated by the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management. The initial structure of the typology was developed in May 2017 and funded by the PLuS Alliance. The review of the typological hierarchy was co-ordinated by the lead author (David Keith, University of New South Wales).

This consultation and review process was an extensive community effort, with “ecosystem leaders” engaged for all realms and biomes in the world, representing the collective views of global research networks, numbering hundreds of people. In all, some 30 specialists formally reviewed 1-14 ecosystem functional types each, with less formal comment and input received through a much larger group of experts at international conferences, workshops and meetings during 2017- 2019. 

Learn more about the consultative process.

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Explore

• read accessible descriptions of the 4 core realms
• learn about the richness of specific biomes, such as the Tropical-subtropical forests biome 
• understand what transitioning entails, for instance when there is a marine to terrestrial transition

Benefit from advanced features

• Use the power of the analytic capability
• Understand the typology and use standard definitions
• Access the glossary of ecosystems terms