Open Access data: landscape classification of Ireland

The FarmForBio project has developed a landscape classification map of the Republic of Ireland. 

The map and the GIS data are now available on Teagasc’s TStor repository https://t-stor.teagasc.ie/handle/11019/2790

In a collaboration of GMIT, Teagasc and UCD, we identified nine major landscape classes across Ireland (Fig. 1). Each landscape class depicts unique spatial and composition characteristics, from coastal, lowland and elevated, to distinct and dominating land cover types. In the article, we describe and discuss each of the nine classes and as well as the wider applicability of the map. For example, we discuss the use of this classification for improved environmental and biodiversity monitoring.

Fig. 1. Landscape classification of Ireland.
Article and data are available via Open Access. 

Fig. 2. An example of two of the 9 classes; 'Semi-intensified elevated' and Intensified lowlands'.
Full descriptions of all nine classes are provided in Carlier et al. (2021).   

Acknowledgements

This research was conducted as part of the High Nature Value Farmland and Forestry Systems for Biodiversity (FarmForBio) project funded by the Research Stimulus Fund (2019R425) of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

 

Reference

Data file: Alandscape classification map of Ireland and its potential use in national landuse monitoring.  https://t-stor.teagasc.ie/handle/11019/2790

Carlier, J., Doyle, M., Finn, J. A., Ó hUallacháin, D., & Moran, J. 2021. A landscape classification map of Ireland and its potential use in national land use monitoring. Journal of Environmental Management 289, 112498. (Open Access)

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479721005600