Source: European Commission (JRC)

Abstract of the "Tree species distribution data and maps for Europe"

This report describes the maps on tree species distribution routinely produced at Joint Research Centre, and the data sets used to produce them. Its aim is to help those searching for information on forest tree species distribution in Europe and to identify which of the maps might fit their needs, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and what data and methods were used to produce them. The report provides information on the different data sets reporting tree species occurrences in Europe on which the maps are based, highlighting the uncertainties and limitations affecting their use. The report then presents different types of tree species distribution maps based on these observational data sets. For each map type, it provides information for a correct use, including which questions a particularly map type is able to help answer and a suggested caption that can be used when reproducing a map. Finally, for two tree species, the report provides multiple distribution maps side-by-side, with annotations to help interpret the information, including uncertainty that they convey. These examples illustrate how different map types convey different types of information and how they are affected by data availability, which differs not only between source data sets but also between species within the same data set.