IDENTIFICATION_INFORMATION Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Jan Meerman Publication_Date: 20060405 Title: Belize Ecosystems Map Version 2004c Edition: 20060405 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map Publication_Information: Publication_Place: El Progresso, Cayo District, Belize Publisher: Jan Meerman Other_Citation_Details: Online_Linkage: http://biological-diversity.info Larger_Work_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Belize Biodiverstiy Mapping Service Publication_Date: Title: Belize Biodiversity Mapping Service Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Belmopan, Belize. Publisher: Online_Linkage: http://biological-diversity.info Description: Abstract: Map of the Ecosystems of Belize verstion 2004 is an update from the 2001 Belize Ecosystems Map (Meerman & Sabido, 2001). This 2004 version has been enhanced using a substantial set of new data. The data quality of the 2004 version has greatly improved over the 2001 version. Marine habitat data were much improved. The classification still follows the UNESCO system developed for the Central American Ecosystems Map and is thus completely consistent with that product. Also, for the first time, metadata are included. Purpose: Assist in the Natural Resource Management, Landuse Planning and conservation of Belize. Supplemental_Information: These data are not to be taken as legal defenitions of names, settlements or their location. Preferential Scale 1:100.000 Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 2000 Ending_Date: Early 2004. Currentness_Reference: Based on January and February 2004 Landsat Imagery Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Irregular Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -89.2588 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -86.1568 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.4981 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 15.8842 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: Ecosystem Theme_Keyword: Vegetation Theme_Keyword: Terrestrial Theme_Keyword: Marine Theme_Keyword: Coastal Theme_Keyword: Habitat Theme_Keyword: Biodiversity Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: Central America Place_Keyword: Belize Place_Keyword: Caribbean Place_Keyword: Mexico Place_Keyword: Guatemala Access_Constraints: None Use_Constraints: These metadata are part of the Belize Ecosystems Map version 2005. They are not to be removed. These files are as is, anyone using these data automatically accepts any errors, defects and/or shortcomings of the data. The author does not accept any responsibily for the use of these data. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: Belize Tropical Forest Studies Contact_Person: Jan Meerman Contact_Position: Director Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: P.O. Box 208, City: Belmopan State_or_Province: Cayo District Postal_Code: N.A. Country: Belize Contact_Voice_Telephone: 501-820-4017 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: meerman@biological-diversity.info Hours_of_Service: Native_Data_Set_Environment: ArcView version 3.3 shapefile format e:\my documents\gis\layers_bze\belize ecosystems\2004 version\ecosys_bze_2004c.shp DATA_QUALITY_INFORMATION Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: The original 2001 dataset has been extensively tested by the author and the current 2004 version is largely based on this ground truthing. The 2004c version has increased accuracy, amongst others replacing the entire Turneffe Islands basefile. Logical_Consistency_Report: Completeness_Report: The criteria for the 2001 dataset included a minimum polygon size of 50 ha. In the 2004 version this minimum polygon size rule was abandoned in order to be able to map small islands and lakes and other important small ecosystems. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Lineage: Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Publication_Date: Title: Edition: Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Publisher: Other_Citation_Details: Online_Linkage: Larger_Work_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Publication_Date: Title: Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Publisher: Online_Linkage: Source_Scale_Denominator: Type_of_Source_Media: Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: Ending_Date: Source_Currentness_Reference: Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Source_Contribution: Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Jan Meerman Publication_Date: 20050212 Title: Belize Ecosystems Map Version 2004 Edition: 20050212 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map Publication_Information: Publication_Place: El Progresso, Cayo District, Belize Publisher: Jan Meerman Other_Citation_Details: Brokaw, N. V. L., and E. W. Sabido 1998.  Vegetation of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Belize.  Manomet Bird Observatory, Manomet, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Cornec, J. H. 2003. Geology map of Belize. Private Publication. Government of Belize: Maritime Areas Act, Chapter 11, Revised Edition 2000. Government printers 30 pp. Iremonger, S. & N.V.L.Brokaw. 1995. Vegetation classification for Belize. In: Programme for Belize. Towards a National protected areas system plan for Belize. Synthesis report. Appendix 1. 32 pp. Murray, M. R., S. A. Zisman & C. D. Minty, 1999, Soil-plant relationships and a revised vegetation classification of Turneffe Atoll, Belize., Atoll Research Bulletin, 464, 32 pp. Penn, M. G., D. A. Sutton & A. Munro. 2004. Vegetation of the Greater Maya Mountains, Belize. Systematics and Biodiversity 2(1): 21-44. Wright, A.C.S., D.H. Romney, R.H.Arbuckle & V.E. Vial. 1959. Land in British Honduras. Colonial Res. Publ. No. 24. Online_Linkage: http://biological-diversity.info Larger_Work_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Belize Biodiverstiy Mapping Service Publication_Date: Title: Belize Biodiversity Mapping Service Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Belmopan, Belize. Publisher: Online_Linkage: http://biological-diversity.info Source_Scale_Denominator: Type_of_Source_Media: Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: Ending_Date: Source_Currentness_Reference: Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Source_Contribution: Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Jan Meerman Publication_Date: 20050212 Title: Belize Ecosystems Map Version 2004 Edition: 20050212 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map Publication_Information: Publication_Place: El Progresso, Cayo District, Belize Publisher: Jan Meerman Other_Citation_Details: Brokaw, N. V. L., and E. W. Sabido 1998.  Vegetation of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Belize.  Manomet Bird Observatory, Manomet, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Cornec, J. H. 2003. Geology map of Belize. Private Publication. Government of Belize: Maritime Areas Act, Chapter 11, Revised Edition 2000. Government printers 30 pp. Iremonger, S. & N.V.L.Brokaw. 1995. Vegetation classification for Belize. In: Programme for Belize. Towards a National protected areas system plan for Belize. Synthesis report. Appendix 1. 32 pp. Murray, M. R., S. A. Zisman & C. D. Minty, 1999, Soil-plant relationships and a revised vegetation classification of Turneffe Atoll, Belize., Atoll Research Bulletin, 464, 32 pp. M. G., D. A. Sutton & A. Munro. 2004. Vegetation of the Greater Maya Mountains, Belize. Systematics and Biodiversity 2(1): 21-44. Wright, A.C.S., D.H. Romney, R.H.Arbuckle & V.E. Vial. 1959. Land in British Honduras. Colonial Res. Publ. No. 24. Online_Linkage: http://biological-diversity.info Larger_Work_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Belize Biodiverstiy Mapping Service Publication_Date: Title: Belize Biodiversity Mapping Service Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Belmopan, Belize. Publisher: Online_Linkage: http://biological-diversity.info Source_Scale_Denominator: Type_of_Source_Media: Hardcopies Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1959 Ending_Date: 2004 Source_Currentness_Reference: Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Source_Contribution: Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Jan Meerman Publication_Date: 20060405 Title: Belize Ecosystems Map Version 2004c Edition: 20060405 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map Publication_Information: Publication_Place: El Progresso, Cayo District, Belize Publisher: Jan Meerman Other_Citation_Details: Brokaw, N. V. L., and E. W. Sabido 1998.  Vegetation of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Belize.  Manomet Bird Observatory, Manomet, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Cornec, J. H. 2003. Geology map of Belize. Private Publication. Government of Belize: Maritime Areas Act, Chapter 11, Revised Edition 2000. Government printers 30 pp. Iremonger, S. & N.V.L.Brokaw. 1995. Vegetation classification for Belize. In: Programme for Belize. Towards a National protected areas system plan for Belize. Synthesis report. Appendix 1. 32 pp. Murray, M. R., S. A. Zisman & C. D. Minty, 1999, Soil-plant relationships and a revised vegetation classification of Turneffe Atoll, Belize., Atoll Research Bulletin, 464, 32 pp. M. G., D. A. Sutton & A. Munro. 2004. Vegetation of the Greater Maya Mountains, Belize. Systematics and Biodiversity 2(1): 21-44. Wright, A.C.S., D.H. Romney, R.H.Arbuckle & V.E. Vial. 1959. Land in British Honduras. Colonial Res. Publ. No. 24. Online_Linkage: http://biological-diversity.info Larger_Work_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Belize Biodiverstiy Mapping Service Publication_Date: Title: Belize Biodiversity Mapping Service Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Belmopan, Belize. Publisher: Online_Linkage: http://biological-diversity.info Source_Scale_Denominator: Type_of_Source_Media: Hardcopies Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1959 Ending_Date: 2004 Source_Currentness_Reference: Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Source_Contribution: Process_Step: Process_Description: The principal source of information in the analysis was the 1:250.000 Belize Ecosystems Map (Meerman & Sabido, 2001). This map included all terrestrial ecosystems including some inland water ecosystems. The Meerman & Sabido (2001) map, was essentially an update of the 1995 Vegetation map of Belize by Iremonger and Browkaw. Meawhile, this Iremonger and Brokaw map borrowed heavily from the 1959 Natural Vegetation Map of Belize by Wright et al. the marine part, there existed a draft marine habitat map (Mumby & Harborne, 1999). The scale of the latter map was much finer that that of the Belize Ecosystems Map. Also, this map existed only in a draft stage and its accuracy is assumed to be no greater than 60%. To overcome the inconsistencies caused by the differences and reliability of both products. The various groups of habitats in the Marine map were clustered as to represent their main classifications and this result was re-digitized into polygons with a minimum size of 1 acre. The resulting product was updated and enriched using the following sources: * Fieldwork data gathered by J. C. Meerman from 2001 through 2004. See http://biological-diversity.info/projects.htm * Recent Landsat tm images: 1947_2004_02_28; 1948_2004_01_27 and 1949_2004_01_27 * Brokaw & Sabido, 1998. Vegetation of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area. * Murray et all, 1999. Soil-plant relationships and revised vegetation classification of Turneffe Atoll - Belize., * Penn et all, 2004. Vegetation of the Greater Maya Mountains, Belize. * MET department: Climatological data * Cornec, 2003. Geology map of Belize * The Belize Territorial waters extend follows the Maritime Areas Act, (GOB, 2000). The final product being an all encompassing Belize Ecosystems Map on a scale of 1:100,000 incorporating the main terrestrial and marine habitats (including deep sea habitats). In total 96 habitats were thus mapped: * 65 Terrestrial classes * 14 Marine classes * 7 Agriculture / silviculture / mariculture classes * 6 Mangrove classes * 3 Inland water classes * 1 Urban class Literature Sources: Brokaw, N. V. L., and E. W. Sabido 1998.  Vegetation of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Belize.  Manomet Bird Observatory, Manomet, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Cornec, J. H. 2003. Geology map of Belize. Private Publication. Government of Belize: Maritime Areas Act, Chapter 11, Revised Edition 2000. Government printers 30 pp. Iremonger, S. & N.V.L.Brokaw. 1995. Vegetation classification for Belize. In: Programme for Belize. Towards a National protected areas system plan for Belize. Synthesis report. Appendix 1. 32 pp. Murray, M. R., S. A. Zisman & C. D. Minty, 1999, Soil-plant relationships and a revised vegetation classification of Turneffe Atoll, Belize., Atoll Research Bulletin, 464, 32 pp. M. G., D. A. Sutton & A. Munro. 2004. Vegetation of the Greater Maya Mountains, Belize. Systematics and Biodiversity 2(1): 21-44. Wright, A.C.S., D.H. Romney, R.H.Arbuckle & V.E. Vial. 1959. Land in British Honduras. Colonial Res. Publ. No. 24. The 2004c version is a further update. Changes specifically in: Turneffe Islands (completely new base line shapefile created) New River Lagoon Aguacaliente Lagoon Various other minor corrections Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Process_Date: 20060405 Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Organization: Belize Tropical Forest Studies Contact_Person: Jan Meerman Contact_Position: Director Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: P.O. Box 208, City: Belmopan State_or_Province: Cayo District Postal_Code: N.A. Country: Belize Contact_Voice_Telephone: 501-820-4017 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: meerman@biological-diversity.info Hours_of_Service: SPATIAL_DATA_ORGANIZATION_INFORMATION Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector Point_and_Vector_Object_Information: SDTS_Terms_Description: SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: GT-polygon composed of chains Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 3201 SPATIAL_REFERENCE_INFORMATION Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Planar: Grid_Coordinate_System: Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator Universal_Transverse_Mercator: UTM_Zone_Number: 16 Transverse_Mercator: Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600 Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -87.000000 Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.000000 False_Easting: 500000.000000 False_Northing: 0.000000 Planar_Coordinate_Information: Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: Coordinate pair Coordinate_Representation: Abscissa_Resolution: Ordinate_Resolution: Planar_Distance_Units: Meters Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1927 Ellipsoid_Name: Clarke 1866 Semi-major_Axis: 6378206.4000000 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 294.98 ENTITY_AND_ATTRIBUTE_INFORMATION Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: ecosys_bze_2004.dbf Entity_Type_Definition: Shapefile Attribute Table Entity_Type_Definition_Source: None Attribute: Attribute_Label: id Attribute_Definition: Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 1 Range_Domain_Maximum: 3060 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Unesco_cod Attribute_Definition: UNESCO Code used in Central American Ecosystems Map 2001-2002 Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character Field Attribute: Attribute_Label: Name Attribute_Definition: Name of any locations and/or features Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character Field Attribute: Attribute_Label: Range Attribute_Definition: Dept or altitude ranges in which the ecosystem is represented Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character Field Attribute: Attribute_Label: Legend Attribute_Definition: Code used in the 2001 Meerman & Sabido Report Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Numeric Field Attribute: Attribute_Label: Unesco_cla Attribute_Definition: English name for UNESCO class ecosystem Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character Field Attribute: Attribute_Label: Ecosystem Attribute_Definition: Broad Ecosystem (several UNESCO classes grouped) Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character Field Attribute: Attribute_Label: Acres Attribute_Definition: Size of polygon in acres Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 2478614 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Hectares Attribute_Definition: Size in hectares Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 1003063 Overview_Description: Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: DISTRIBUTION_INFORMATION Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: Belize Tropical Forest Studies Contact_Person: Jan Meerman Contact_Position: Director Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: P.O. Box 208, City: Belmopan State_or_Province: Cayo District Postal_Code: N.A. Country: Belize Contact_Voice_Telephone: 501-820-4017 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: meerman@biological-diversity.info Hours_of_Service: Resource_Description: Distribution_Liability: Users must assume responsibility to determine the appropriate use of this shapefile. This dataset is not a "one fit all", some uses may be appropriate, others not. METADATA_REFERENCE_INFORMATION Metadata_Date: 20060405 Metadata_Review_Date: Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: Belize Tropical Forest Studies Contact_Person: Jan Meerman Contact_Position: Director Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and physical address Address: P.O. Box 208, City: Belmopan State_or_Province: Cayo District Postal_Code: N.A. Country: Belize Contact_Voice_Telephone: 501-820-4017 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: meerman@biological-diversity.info Hours_of_Service: Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC CSDGM Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998