North American Environmental Atlas - Anthropogenic Biomes

Type  TIFF

Tags  North America, América del Norte, Amérique du Nord, Anthropogenic Biomes, Biomas antropogénicos, Biomes anthropiques, 2008, Canada, Canadá, United States, Estados Unidos, États-Unis, Mexico, México, Mexique, CEC, CCA, CCE

Summary

This map shows North America classified into “anthropogenic biomes,” also known as “anthromes” or “human biomes.” Anthropogenic biomes are major global ecosystem types that incorporate the ways in which humans interact with ecosystems.

Description

This map shows North America classified into “anthropogenic biomes,” also known as “anthromes” or “human biomes.”

Biomes are major global ecosystem types, characterized by particular climate and soil conditions and distinctive forms of life adapted to these conditions. Incorporating the significant role of humans in altering ecosystems, this map offers a new way of classifying the parts of the earth in which life exists.

Anthropogenic biomes are major global ecosystem types that incorporate the ways in which humans interact with ecosystems.

Source: Ellis, E.C., and N. Ramankutty. 2008. Putting people in the map: Anthropogenic biomes of the world. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, doi:10.1890/070062.

Files Download

Credits

Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). 2008. “North American Environmental Atlas - Anthropogenic Biomes”. Ed. 1.0, Raster digital data [5 arc-minute]. Ellis, E.C., and N. Ramankutty. 2008. Putting people in the map: Anthropogenic biomes of the world. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, doi:10.1890/070062.

Use limitations

This material is licensed under CC BY 4.0, allowing non-exclusive rights to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, including for commercial purposes, so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Extent

West  -180     East -50
North  85     South 14

Scale Range

Maximum (zoomed in)  1:5,000
Minimum (zoomed out)  1:150,000,000

Topics and Keywords 

Themes or categories of the resource Biota, Environment, Society

Content type Downloadable Data
Export to FGDC CSDGM XML format as Resource Description No

Theme keywords North American Environmental Atlas > Human Influence > Anthropogenic Biomes, North American Environmental Atlas > Human Influence > Population density gradients, North American Environmental Atlas > Human Influence > Biodiversity

Thesaurus 
Title North American Environmental Atlas
Publication date 2007-12-13 00:00:00

Responsible party - publisher
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://www.cec.org/north-american-environmental-atlas/

Place keywords Mid-latitude, Western Hemisphere, Northern Hemisphere, North America, Canada, Mexico, United States

Thesaurus 
Title North American Environmental Atlas
Publication date 2007-12-13 00:00:00

Responsible party - publisher
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://www.cec.org/north-american-environmental-atlas/

Temporal keywords 2008

Citation 

Title North American Environmental Atlas - Anthropogenic Biomes
Publication date 2007-12-13 00:00:00

Edition 1.0

Presentation formats digital map
FGDC geospatial presentation format raster digital data

Resource identifier
Value NAatlas_4.02

Citation Contacts 

Responsible party - point of contact
Individual's name Dominique Croteau
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
Contact's position Project Lead, Geospatial and Environmental Information

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Responsible party - resource provider
Individual's name Erle C. Ellis
Organization's name University of Maryland
Contact's position Dept. of Geography & Environmental Systems

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 410 455 2002
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 211 Sondheim Hall, 1000 Hilltop Circle
City Baltimore
Administrative area Maryland
Postal code 21250
Country US
e-mail addressece@umbc.edu
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://anthroecology.org/people/ellis/

Responsible party - publisher
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://www.cec.org/north-american-environmental-atlas/

Locales 

Locale English (UNITED STATES)
Title Anthropogenic Biomes
Abstract (Description)
This map shows North America classified into “anthropogenic biomes,” also known as “anthromes” or “human biomes.”

Biomes are major global ecosystem types, characterized by particular climate and soil conditions and distinctive forms of life adapted to these conditions. Incorporating the significant role of humans in altering ecosystems, this map offers a new way of classifying the parts of the earth in which life exists.

Anthropogenic biomes are major global ecosystem types that incorporate the ways in which humans interact with ecosystems.

Source: Ellis, E.C., and N. Ramankutty. 2008. Putting people in the map: Anthropogenic biomes of the world. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, doi:10.1890/070062.

Locale Spanish; Castilian (MEXICO)
Title Biomas antropogénicos
Abstract (Description)
Este mapa muestra a América del Norte clasificada en «biomas antropogénicos», también conocidos como «antromas» o «biomas humanos».

Los biomas son las grandes zonas bioclimáticas en que se pueden agrupar los ecosistemas.

Cada bioma se caracterizada por un clima y condiciones del suelo particulares, y formas distintivas de vida adaptadas a esas condiciones. Al incorporar la función determinante de los seres humanos en la alteración de los ecosistemas, este mapa ofrece una manera nueva de clasificar las grandes zonas de vida del planeta. Los biomas antropogénicos reflejan, pues, patrones globales significativos de la biosfera terrestre causados por las maneras en que los humanos interactúan con los ecosistemas.

Fuente: E.C. Ellis y N. Ramankutty, «Putting people in the map: Anthropogenic biomes of the world«, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, núm. 6, doi:10.1890/070062, 2008.

Locale French (CANADA)
Title Biomes anthropiques
Abstract (Description)
Cette carte montre l’Amérique du Nord divisée en « biomes anthropiques », également appelés « anthromes » ou « biomes humains ».

Les biomes qui correspondent aux principaux types d’écosystèmes planétaires, sont caractérisés par des conditions climatiques et des sols particuliers, et par des formes de vie distinctes adaptées à ces conditions.

Cette carte, qui illustre le rôle important que jouent les êtres humains dans la modification des écosystèmes, offre un nouveau moyen de classifier les régions de la planète où il y a de la vie. Les biomes anthropogéniques indiquent la façon dont les êtres humains interagissent avec les écosystèmes.

Source : Ellis, E.C. et N. Ramankutty. Putting people in the map: Anthropogenic biomes of the world, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, 2008, doi:10.1890/070062.

Resource Details 

Dataset languages English (UNITED STATES)
Dataset character set utf8 - 8 bit UCS Transfer Format

Status completed
Spatial representation type grid

Spatial resolution
Dataset's scale
Scale denominator 5
Supplemental information
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is an international organization created by Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), which came into force at the same time as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The CEC was established to address regional environmental concerns, help prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts, and to promote the effective enforcement of environmental law. As of 2020, the CEC operates in accordance with the Environmental Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force at the same time as the CUSMA/T-MEC/USMCA trade agreement.

This dataset is a 5 arc minute thematic grid, prepared as described in WebPanel 1 of Ellis and Ramankutty (2008). Before using these data for publication, please contact Erle Ellis (ece@umbc.edu) for the most up to date version.
Please Cite: Ellis, E.C., and Ramankutty, N., 2008. Putting people in the map: anthropogenic biomes of the world. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, doi:10.1890/070062. http://www.ecotope.org/people/ellis/papers/ellis_2008.pdf

This data set is available in several formats, including TIFF, Map package, and a PDF Map, along with other files appropriate to particular format, such as .lyrx and .qlr files.

Processing environment Windows 11 Pro; Version 24H2; OS build 26100.3775; Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.66.0 -- ArcGIS Pro 3.4.3

Credits
Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). 2008. “North American Environmental Atlas - Anthropogenic Biomes”. Ed. 1.0, Raster digital data [5 arc-minute]. Ellis, E.C., and N. Ramankutty. 2008. Putting people in the map: Anthropogenic biomes of the world. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, doi:10.1890/070062.

ArcGIS item properties
Name anthromes_EqArea.tif
Location file://E:\Dropbox\CEC\01_CEC_Env_Atlas_Base\4_Human_Influence\4_02_Anthropogenic_Biomes_2008\02_Deliverables\AnthropogenicBiomes_2008_TIF\AnthropogenicBiomes\data\anthromes_EqArea.tif
Access protocol Local Area Network

Extents 

Extent
Description
This dataset includes Anthropogenic Biomes data for all North America.

Geographic extent
Bounding rectangle
Extent type
Extent used for searching
West longitude -180
East longitude -50
North latitude 85
South latitude 14

Extent in the item's coordinate system
westBL -12741963.676315
eastBL 12744387.273372
southBL -12740288.544910
northBL 12741963.676314
exTypeCode Yes

Resource Points of Contact 

Point of contact - point of contact
Individual's name Dominique Croteau
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
Contact's position Project Lead, Geospatial and Environmental Information

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Point of contact - publisher
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://www.cec.org/north-american-environmental-atlas/

Resource Maintenance 

Resource maintenance
Update frequency not planned

Maintenance contact - publisher
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://www.cec.org/north-american-environmental-atlas/

Resource Constraints 

Constraints
Limitations of use

This material is licensed under CC BY 4.0, allowing non-exclusive rights to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, including for commercial purposes, so long as attribution is given to the creator.


Legal constraints
Limitations of use
This material is licensed under CC BY 4.0, allowing non-exclusive rights to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, including for commercial purposes, so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Spatial Reference 

ArcGIS coordinate system
Type Projected
Geographic coordinate reference GCS_Sphere_ARC_INFO
Projection Sphere_ARC_INFO_Lambert_Azimuthal_Equal_Area
Coordinate reference details
ProjectedCoordinateSystem
XOrigin -12742100
YOrigin -12742100
XYScale 353442495.92849648
ZOrigin -100000
ZScale 10000
MOrigin -100000
MScale 10000
XYTolerance 0.001
ZTolerance 0.001
MTolerance 0.001
HighPrecision true
WKT PROJCS["Sphere_ARC_INFO_Lambert_Azimuthal_Equal_Area",GEOGCS["GCS_Sphere_ARC_INFO",DATUM["D_Sphere_ARC_INFO",SPHEROID["Sphere_ARC_INFO",6370997.0,0.0]],PRIMEM["Greenwich",0.0],UNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433]],PROJECTION["Lambert_Azimuthal_Equal_Area"],PARAMETER["false_easting",0.0],PARAMETER["false_northing",0.0],PARAMETER["central_meridian",-100.0],PARAMETER["latitude_of_origin",45.0],UNIT["Meter",1.0]]

Reference system identifier
Value 37008
Codespace WKID


Spatial Data Properties 

Georectified Grid 
Number of dimensions 2

Axis dimensions properties - column (x-axis)
Dimension size 2683
Resolution
9499.199012 m (meter)

Axis dimensions properties - row (y-axis)
Dimension size 6956
Resolution
3663.348508 m (meter)

Cell geometry area
Point in pixel center

Transformation parameters are available Yes

Check points are available No

Corner points
Point -12741963.676315 -12740288.544910

Point -12741963.676315 12741963.676314

Point 12744387.273372 12741963.676314

Point 12744387.273372 -12740288.544910

Center point 1211.798529 837.565702

ArcGIS Raster Properties 
General Information
Pixel depth 8
Compression type LZW
Number of bands 1
Raster format TIFF
Source type discrete
Pixel type unsigned integer
No data value 0
Has colormap No
Has pyramids Yes

Spatial Data Content 

Image Description
Type of information thematic classification
Attribute described by cell values Anthropogenic biomes grid cell

Band information
Description Band_1
Maximum value 63.000000
Minimum value 11.000000
Number of bits per value 8

Triangulation has been performed No
Radiometric calibration is available No
Camera calibration is available No
Film distortion information is available No
Lens distortion information is available No

Lineage 

Lineage statement
This map shows North America classified into “anthropogenic biomes,” also known as “anthromes” or “human biomes.

Biomes are major global ecosystem types, characterized by particular climate and soil conditions and distinctive forms of life adapted to these conditions. Incorporating the significant role of humans in altering ecosystems, this map offers a new way of classifying the parts of the earth in which life exists.

Anthropogenic biomes are major global ecosystem types that incorporate the ways in which humans interact with ecosystems.

Source: Ellis, E.C., and N. Ramankutty. 2008. Putting people in the map: Anthropogenic biomes of the world. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, doi:10.1890/070062.

Source data 
Description
Humans have fundamentally altered global patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Surprisingly, existing systems for representing these global patterns, including biome classifications, either ignore humans altogether or simplify human influence into, at most, four categories. Here, we present the first characterization of terrestrial biomes based on global patterns of sustained, direct human interaction with ecosystems. Eighteen “anthropogenic biomes” were identified through empirical analysis of global population, land use, and land cover. More than 75% of Earth's ice-free land showed evidence of alteration as a result of human residence and land use, with less than a quarter remaining as wildlands, supporting just 11% of terrestrial net primary production. Anthropogenic biomes offer a new way forward by acknowledging human influence on global ecosystems and moving us toward models and investigations of the terrestrial biosphere that integrate human and ecological systems.

Source medium name online link

Source citation 
Title Putting people in the map: anthropogenic biomes of the world
Publication date 2008-10-01 00:00:00

FGDC geospatial presentation format document

Resource identifier
Value anthromes

Other citation details
5 [arc-minute] spatial resolution


Responsible party - originator
Individual's name Erle C. Ellis
Organization's name University of Maryland
Contact's position Dept. of Geography & Environmental Systems

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 410 455 2002
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 211 Sondheim Hall, 1000 Hilltop Circle
City Baltimore
Administrative area Maryland
Postal code 21250
Country US
e-mail addressece@umbc.edu
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://anthroecology.org/people/ellis/

Resource location online
Online location (URL)https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1890/070062

Distribution 

Distributor 
Contact information - distributor
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://www.cec.org/north-american-environmental-atlas/

Distribution format
Name TIFF
Specification Although these data have been processed successfully on computer systems at the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. No responsibility is assumed by CEC in the use of this data.

Transfer options
Units of distribution KB
Transfer size 528

Fields 

Details for object anthromes_EqArea.tif.vat 
Type Table
Row count 20
Definition
“Anthropogenic Biomes,” also known as “Anthromes” or “Human Biomes.” 

Definition source
Commission for Environmental Cooperation 

Field OID 
Alias OID
Data type OID
Width 4
Precision 0
Scale 0

Field description
Internal feature number.

Description source
Esri

Range of values
Minimum value 0
Maximum value 19

Description of values
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Field VALUE 
Alias VALUE
Data type Integer
Width 9
Precision 9
Scale 0

Field description
The code that describes each anthropogenic biome class.

Description source
Commission for Environmental Cooperation

Range of values
Minimum value 11
Maximum value 63

Field COUNT 
Alias COUNT
Data type Integer
Width 9
Precision 9
Scale 0

Field description
Number of pixels by anthropogenic biome class.

Description source
Commission for Environmental Cooperation

Range of values
Minimum value 138
Maximum value 113389

Field LABEL 
Alias LABEL
Data type String
Width 50
Precision 0
Scale 0

Field description
Code and nam of the antoirpogenic biome.

Description source
Commission for Environmental Cooperation

List of values
Value 11: Urban
Description Urban
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 12: Dense settlements
Description Dense settlements
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 22: Irrigated villages
Description Irrigated villages
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 23: Cropped & pastoral villages
Description Cropped & pastoral villages
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 24: Pastoral villages
Description Pastoral villages
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 25: Rainfed villages
Description Rainfed villages
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 26: Rainfed mosaic villages
Description Rainfed mosaic villages
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 31: Residential irrigated cropland
Description Residential irrigated cropland
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 32: Residential rainfed mosaic
Description Residential rainfed mosaic
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 33: Populated irrigated cropland
Description Populated irrigated cropland
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 34: Populated rainfed cropland
Description Populated rainfed cropland
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 35: Remote croplands
Description Remote croplands
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 41: Residential rangelands
Description Residential rangelands
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 42: Populated rangelands
Description Populated rangelands
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 43: Remote rangelands
Description Remote rangelands
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 51: Populated forests
Description Populated forests
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 52: Remote forests
Description Remote forests
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 61: Wild forests
Description Wild forests
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 62: Sparse trees
Description Sparse trees
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value 63: Barren
Description Barren
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Field GROUP 
Alias GROUP
Data type String
Width 50
Precision 0
Scale 0

Field description
Groups into which each anthropogenic biome is categorized.

Description source
Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

List of values
Value Croplands
Description Croplands
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value Dense settlements
Description Dense settlements
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value Forested
Description Forested
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value Rangelands
Description Rangelands
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value Villages
Description Villages
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Value Wildlands
Description Wildlands
Enumerated domain value definition source Ellis & Ramankutty, 2008

Metadata Details 

Metadata language English (UNITED STATES)
Metadata character set utf8 - 8 bit UCS Transfer Format

Metadata identifier NAatlas_4.02_metadata

Scope of the data described by the metadata dataset
Scope name dataset

Last update 2007-12-13 

ArcGIS metadata properties
Metadata format ArcGIS 1.0
Standard or profile used to edit metadata ISO19115_3

Created in ArcGIS for the item 2022-09-26 15:49:52
Last modified in ArcGIS for the item 2025-09-18 15:54:19

Automatic updates
Have been performed Yes
Last update 2025-09-09 09:34:38

Metadata Contacts 

Metadata contact - point of contact
Individual's name Dominique Croteau
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
Contact's position Project Lead, Geospatial and Environmental Information

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Metadata contact - publisher
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://www.cec.org/north-american-environmental-atlas/

Metadata Maintenance 

Maintenance
Update frequency not planned

Maintenance contact - publisher
Organization's name Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Contact information 
Phone
Voice +1 514 350 4300
Fax +1 438 701 1434
Address
Type physical
Delivery point 1001 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1620
City Montreal
Administrative area Quebec
Postal code H3B 4L4
Country CA
e-mail addressinfo@cec.org
Online resource
Online location (URL)https://www.cec.org/north-american-environmental-atlas/

Metadata Constraints 

Constraints
Limitations of use

None. Acknowledgment of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation and (or) Erle C. Ellis (University of Maryland - Dept. of Geography & Environmental Systems) would be appreciated in products derived from these data.


Legal constraints
Limitations of use
This material is licensed under CC BY 4.0, allowing non-exclusive rights to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, including for commercial purposes, so long as attribution is given to the creator.