Africa biodiversity data

This dataset contains the absolute values of the Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (fAPAR). While anomalies show deviations from the norm, these absolute values provide a direct measure of the current state of vegetation density and health. It represents the fraction of incoming solar radiation in the photosynthetically active spectrum that is absorbed by the canopy, ranging theoretically from 0 (bare soil) to 1 (dense, healthy vegetation). Absolute fAPAR is crucial for initializing crop growth models, estimating net primary productivity (NPP), and monitoring the phenological development of crops and natural vegetation throughout the growing season.

The fAPAR Anomaly dataset maps deviations in vegetation health and photosynthetic activity across Africa. fAPAR measures the proportion of solar radiation absorbed by plants for photosynthesis, making it a robust biophysical indicator of vegetation status. The anomaly product highlights areas where vegetation activity is significantly below or above the long-term average, serving as a primary proxy for agricultural production and biomass availability. Unlike simple greenness indices (like NDVI), fAPAR is physically related to the energy and mass exchange processes of the canopy. Negative anomalies in this dataset are strong indicators of vegetation stress caused by drought, pests, or disease, making it a critical input for yield forecasting and food security analysis.

Continent-wide map of 126 terrestrial ecosystem types across Africa at 90-metre resolution, modelled using a biophysical stratification approach. Physical environment components including coastlines, land surface forms, surficial lithology, and bioclimates were combined using a classification and regression tree model reviewed by regional vegetation and landscape ecology experts. Use this layer for biodiversity assessments, conservation planning, ecosystem services modelling, climate change impact analysis, and land use planning across Africa. No additional information provided.