Elevation, 2023
The 250m elevation map of North America illustrates the region’s terrain in relation to mean sea level, utilizing elevation data sourced from the Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data 2010 (GMTED2010). This dataset supersedes its predecessor, the 1-km elevation dataset released by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) in 2007, offering heightened topographic detail while maintaining […]
North American Elevation
It’s MapMonday! Did you know that a 2D elevation map can allow you to better understand the 3D reality of our environment by showing the height of the land above sea level? The new North American Elevation map has a finer resolution of 250m with a manageable file size for this region. Derived from the […]
Your Environment is Changing
It’s #MapMonday! Check out our new Story Map: “Your Environment is Changing: But How it Changes is up to You.” This interactive Story Map helps us better understand the world around us and demonstrates how the CEC’s North American Environmental Atlas can support action, research and decision-making. By combining images, maps and a story in this […]
North American Forests
Wildlife and humans are deeply connected with forests and their conservation requires a good understanding of climate and ecosystem differences. This years’ #IntlForestDay had the theme “Forests and sustainable production and consumption”, highlighting the role of forests towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of protecting and conserving forests through the sustainable use of these […]
North American Forests, 2022
The North American Forest map shows the distribution of eighteen different primary ecological zones pertaining to forest systems within Canada, Mexico, and the United States. North American Forest regions are defined as areas of broad yet relatively homogenous natural forest vegetation. Area distinctions are also based on precipitation, temperature, and landforms. This map was created […]
Terrestrial Ecoregions: Level I
Ecological regions are areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources. They serve as a spatial framework for the research, assessment, management, and monitoring of ecosystems and ecosystem components. They are effective for national and regional state of the environment reports, environmental resource inventories and assessments, setting […]
Terrestrial Ecoregions: Level II
Ecological regions are areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources. They serve as a spatial framework for the research, assessment, management, and monitoring of ecosystems and ecosystem components. They are effective for national and regional state of the environment reports, environmental resource inventories and assessments, setting […]
Climate Zones of North America
The North American Climate Zones map shows the distribution of climate types across Canada, Mexico, and the United States based on the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. This map is derived from the global climate zones presented by Beck et al. (2018), “Present and future Köppen-Geiger climate classification maps at 1-km resolution,” and represents the spatial distribution […]
Terrestrial Ecoregions: Level III
Ecological regions are areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources. They serve as a spatial framework for the research, assessment, management, and monitoring of ecosystems and ecosystem components. They are effective for national and regional state of the environment reports, environmental resource inventories and assessments, setting […]
North America’s Terrestrial Ecoregions
Happy #MapMonday! #DidYouKnow @Commission has harmonized GIS data on North America’s Terrestrial Ecoregions, covering more than 21 million sq/km?! 3 levels of detail I: 15 broad regions II: w/ 50 regions III: 182 detailed ecoregions Check out the North American Environmental Atlas This map also incorporates the newest version of the conterminous US ecoregions defined […]
North American Forests, 2011
The North American Forest map shows the distribution of eighteen different primary ecological zones pertaining to forest systems within Canada, Mexico, and the United States. North America contains approximately 17% of the world’s forest area, and is known to be the most diverse region as it consists of all but two global primary ecological zones. […]
Marine Ecoregions
These marine ecoregions are areas of general similarity in terms of physiographic, oceanographic and biological characteristics, which fall within the Exclusive Economic Zones of the North American countries. These marine ecoregions are constructed as a spatial framework with three nested levels. The Level I marine ecoregions displayed in this map capture ecosystem differences at the […]