This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

Some extraordinary changes have occurred across the globe over the past decades regarding human habitation. Globally, between 1975 and 2015 built-up areas increased by approximately 250 %, while population increased by a factor of 1.8. The most considerable changes occurred in Africa where it has nearly quadrupled. The extent of built-up area poses a number of challenges to global sustainable development. As urban clusters expand, productive land and soil is sealed, and natural ecosystems are replaced by land use to support urban centres. This layer highlights the areas of concern for built-up related issues derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can have land degradation consequences.

This dataset provides projections of global rainfall erosivity changes, a critical metric representing the erosive force of rainfall that drives worldwide soil and nutrient loss. These maps serve as essential inputs for global and regional soil erosion assessment models. The collection details the geographical distribution of projected erosivity changes across two primary periods: 2010–2050 and 2050–2070. To account for different climate trajectories, the dataset includes models for three distinct Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios for both timeframes: RCP 2.6 (stringent mitigation), RCP 4.5 (intermediate emissions), and RCP 8.5 (high emissions). By combining these temporal and climatic variables, users can evaluate and compare potential future soil erosion risks under varying degrees of global climate change.

The human imprint on the planet has a major impact on the functioning of the Earth system. Because the impact on the environment is closely intertwined with population dynamics, it is important to monitor and include these in the evaluation of land degradation. This layer displays the areas of concern for population change related issues derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can lead to land degradation. It reflects the dynamics of increasing number of people in a certain area.

This layer is part of the World Altas of Desertification

Aridity represents the ‘dryness’ of the climate. Dry areas have a higher potential for land degradation. This layer displays the areas of concern for aridity related issues derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can lead to land degradation. It highlights dryland areas, where the Aridity Index (ratio of precipitation to evapotranspiration) is inferior to 0.65.

This layer is part of the World Altas of Desertification

Changes in vegetation biomass are critical in assessing land degradation. Climate variations, alone or in combination with human-induced land use and land change, can affect biomass productivity and may trigger changes in vegetation type and structure. Depending on their severity and duration, precipitation anomalies can trigger or aggravate existing land pressures. This layer displays the areas of concern for climate-vegetation trends derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can have consequences on land degradation. It highlights areas with declining plant productivity in response to climate fluctuations (drought conditions in particular).

Humans need increasingly more biomass for food, fodder, fibre and energy. Meeting these demands changes global ecosystems. Tracking changes in total biomass production or land productivity is an essential part of monitoring land transformations that are typically associated with land degradation. Land productivity dynamics (LPD) are used as an indicator of change or stability of the land’s capacity to sustain primary production. This layer displays the areas of concern for land productivity related issues, derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can have consequences on land degradation.

Fire is a natural part of all ecosystems. Wildfires have been burning vegetation and shaping landscapes far longer than people have been on Earth. However, changes in fire frequency and timing can result in degradation if the vegetation is not adapted to the new fire regimes. This can cause long-term damage to land biomass components affecting soil structure, nutrients and water cycling. This layer displays the areas of concern for fires related issues derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can have consequences on land degradation.

The application of fertiliser is a key component in increasing agricultural production. However, there are thresholds beyond which the cost of inputs fails to lead to corresponding increases in yield. Beyond economic inefficiency, overuse of commercial inorganic fertiliser can also result in a decline in soil condition and structure, including reduced soil carbon content, water-holding capacity and porosity, and to environmental pollution. This layer displays the areas of concern for high-input agriculture related issues derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can have land degradation consequences.

This layer is part of the World Altas of Desertification

Smallholder farmers and pastoralists have restricted access to capital and may not have the capacity to invest in management practices that mitigate land degradation. This layer displays the areas of concern for the issues related to income level derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can lead to land degradation.

Irrigation enables farmers to increase crop production by reducing their dependence on natural rainfall. It is considered a vital part of ensuring food security in the future. Yet it also causes extensive environmental damage and undermines human resilience to water scarcity. Irrigation is responsible for 70 % of all freshwater withdrawals in the globe. Human induced salinisation is a widespread problem as around 30 % of irrigated land are affected and becoming commercially unproductive. This layer displays the areas of concern for irrigation related issues, derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can have land degradation consequences.

This layer is part of the World Altas of Desertification

Given the massive scale of livestock production systems, it is unlikely that any other single human activity has a larger environmental impact on the terrestrial land mass of the planet. As the world’s largest user of land, livestock production has a huge footprint, affecting many components of the global environment. In many developing countries, the per-capita consumption of livestock foodstuffs is projected to continue to rise. This layer displays the areas of concern for livestock density related issues, derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions. The density of livestock is related to environmental pressures from livestock related land use change, grazing lands and fodder production, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Smallholder farmers have limited access to capital and are reluctant to trade their low-risk system (low input and low yield) to a high-risk system (high input and potentially higher yields). But Insufficient application of fertilizer on agricultural land may lead to soil nutrients depletion, lower yields, and eventually land abandonment. This layer displays the areas of concern for low-input agriculture related issues derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can have land degradation consequences.

According to UN estimates, the global population will increase by 2.4 billion between 2015 and 2050. Of this, an overwhelming 50 % will be concentrated in Africa (1.3 billion). There could be up to four times as many people in sub-Saharan Africa by the end of the century. The human imprint on the planet has a major impact on the functioning of the Earth system. Because the impact on the environment is closely intertwined with population dynamics, it is important to monitor and include these in the evaluation of land degradation. This layer displays the areas of concern for population density related issues derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can lead to land degradation.

Forests are the most biologically diverse land ecosystems and are critical for sustaining local and global livelihoods. Deforestation can be considered a type of land degradation when forest ecosystems, with all of their important provisioning, regulating and cultural services, are exchanged for another land use, such as crop agriculture, with a narrow provisioning service focus. Damages to the land resource include the immediate reduction or loss of biomass productivity with a linked loss in habitat, biodiversity, and carbon stock. Clearance of natural forests accelerates soil erosion and the alteration of soil functioning. This layer displays the areas of concern for tree loss issues, derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can have consequences on land degradation.

Water is a critical natural resource for both natural ecosystems and human subsistence. Some of the most immediate pressures on land that lead to degradation include diversion of surface waters and the removal of groundwater reserves to meet agricultural, industrial and domestic demands. This layer displays the areas of concern for water use related issues derived from the convergence of global evidence of human-environment interactions that can have consequences on land degradation. It highlights areas where the total water withdrawal (by the agriculture, industrial and domestic sectors) exceeds 40% of the total available annual renewable water supply.

The Copernicus Global Land Service - Burnt Area products depict burn scars, surfaces which have been sufficiently affected by fire to display significant changes in the vegetation cover (destruction of dry material, reduction or loss of green material) and in the ground surface (temporarily darker because of ash). The monthly products are available at global scale in the spatial resolution of 300 m and cover the period from January 2019 to April 2022. The pixel bears the value of the day of the year in which the burn scars were visible while, if selected for mapping in this platform, the dataset shows the burn scars detected in the selected month.

The data provided here are the result of a time-series analysis of carbon density change (in Mg/ha) between 2003-2014 spanning tropical America, Africa, and Asia (23.45 N lat.-23.45 S lat.). The original data is provided as two separate rasters representing (1) carbon density net gain and (2) carbon density net loss within each ~463 x 463 metre pixel, with only pixels exhibiting statistical significance at the 95% level being reported. The data here was re-projected from the its original MODIS sinusoidal projection to WGS84.

During the last twenty years (2000-2020) the intact forest landscapes extent within African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, decreased by 16% (237275km2).

However the protection of IFLs increased in the last two decades. Since 2000, around 100 conserved and protected areas were created in intact forests areas in ACP countries, increasing the percentage of IFL protected from 11% in 2000 to 26% in 2020.. Ethiopia has proposed six protected areas that will cover the total extent of IFL in the country. Republic of Congo increased IFL protection from 15,78% in 2000 to 67,07% in 2020.

Analysis performed by Simona Lippi

Reference:

Potapov, P., Hansen, M. C., Laestadius L., Turubanova S., Yaroshenko A., Thies C., Smith W., 
Zhuravleva I., Komarova A., Minnemeyer S., Esipova E. “The last frontiers of wilderness: Tracking loss of 
intact forest landscapes from 2000 to 2013” Science Advances, 2017; 3:e1600821

Malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted by mosquitoes, affects millions of people worldwide. Treatment and prevention efforts such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and rapid diagnostic tests significantly decreased the number of malaria cases in Africa. This layer displays the change in malaria rates (%) from 2000 to 2015 among children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

''Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) are defined as those with an unfragmented area of at least 500 km2 and which are minimally influenced by human economic activity''.(Thies et al. 2011) IFLs are critical for stabilizing terrestrial carbon storage, harboring biodiversity, regulating hydrological regimes, and providing other ecosystem functions. Researchers, firstly, created a global IFL map using existing fine-scale maps and
a global coverage of high spatial resolution satellite imagery (Potapov et al. 2008). Moreover they assessed the distribution and dynamics of IFLs within the extent of present-day forest ecosystems tracking loss of intact forest landscapes from 2000 to 2020. In this layer we show the reduction of the IFL extent for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)countries that decreased by 16,6% since the year 2000. Countries that experienced the largest reduction in intact forest landscape area over the past two decades are Solomon Islands with 66,3 %, Central African Republic with 57% and Equatorial Guinea with 50,4%. Democratic Republic of the Congo still  has the highest proportion of intactness of ACP countries with 59,7Mha. IFL in Democratic Republic of the Congo has an extent of 64,3Mha as the 27,7% of its forest cover. 

At any given place on Earth, complex human-environment interactions are at play. They include differing rates and magnitudes of drivers (e.g. overgrazing, climate change, agricultural practices) and differing consequences in land degradation (e.g. soil erosion, changes in productivity, loss of biodiversity). The occurrence of multiple global change issues at a location suggests a potential for land degradation, at least in some form. This layer depicts where global change issues relevant to land degradation coincide at a global scale. It helps identifying local or regional areas of concern where land degradation processes may be underway.

Park managers in many countries across Africa need to monitor and understand their parks features and overall health. They can rely on the highly detailed land cover information offered by the Copernicus Hot Spot Land Cover Change Explorer for specific areas of interest –or hot spots. These areas were selected for their importance in biodiversity preservation (Protected Areas, Key Landscapes for Conservation...). For each land cover class (Natural vegetation, Wetlands, urbane areas, etc.), this layer shows which portions of the areas changed to another class over the period (2000-2019). For a more detailed analysis, compare the layer with the present landcover or refer to the online Explorer. The allows to monitor land cover and land cover change in high detail and make informed decisions based on spatial data.

Healthy coral reefs provide a home for millions of aquatic species and numerous ecosystemic services. Yet they are severely threatened. When stressed, corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues and become white (bleached) and vulnerable. The NOAA Coral Reef Watch daily global 5km satellite coral Bleaching Alert Area (7-day maximum) is a composite product that summarizes the current Degree Heating Week (a cumulative measurement of both intensity and duration of heat stress) and Coral Bleaching HotSpot (occurrence and magnitude of instantaneous heat stress) values. At a glance, this layer outlines the current locations, coverage, and potential risk level of coral bleaching heat stress.

This layer provides the Effective Leaf Area Index (LAIe), a critical parameter for modeling evapotranspiration and carbon fluxes between the biosphere and the atmosphere. Monitoring the distribution and seasonal evolution of LAI is essential for assessing vegetation health and ecosystem dynamics across Africa.

The Effective Leaf Area Index is a quantitative measure of the amount of live green leaf material present per unit ground surface. Unlike "True LAI," which represents the total physical leaf area, the Effective LAI is derived from canopy gap fraction measurements and assumes a random distribution of foliage. It is a non-dimensional quantity, typically expressed in units of m²/m².

This dataset is widely utilized in agro-meteorology, biogeochemical modeling, and General Circulation Models (GCMs) to parameterize vegetation cover and its complex interactions with the atmosphere.

This layer is part of the Earth Land Information System (ELIS).

This layer presents the Effective Leaf Area Index (LAIe) Anomalies, representing the deviation of current vegetation density from the historical average. Monitoring the change of LAI is essential for assessing the evolution of the vegetation over Africa.

LAI anomalies are calculated relative to the average values between 2003 and 2010. The dataset captures LAI anomalies every 10 days, reflecting the high variability and rapid changes in African vegetation cover. Increases in temperature and precipitation deficits are the primary drivers for negative anomalies (reduced foliage density). Beyond climatic factors, human activities or animal grazing may also locally impact the state and density of leaves.

This layer is part of the a href="https://fapar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/_www/index.php">Earth Land Information System (ELIS).

Displays areas where the geographic range of two or more endemic bird species overlaps. While many bird species are widespread, over 2,500 are endemic and restricted to an area smaller than 5 million hectares (restricted-range species). BirdLife International has mapped every restricted-range species using geo-referenced locality records. Through this process, they identified regions of the world—known as “Endemic Bird Areas” (EBAs)—where the distributions of two or more of these species overlap. Half of all restricted-range species are globally threatened or near-threatened, and the other half remain vulnerable to loss or degradation of habitat. The majority of EBAs are also important for the conservation of restricted-range species from other animal and plant groups. The unique landscapes where these bird species occur, amounting to just 4.5% of the earth's land surface, are high priorities for broad-scale ecosystem conservation. Geographically, EBAs are often islands or mountain ranges, and vary considerably in size, from a few hundred hectares to more than 10,000,000 hectares. EBAs also vary in the number of restricted-range species that they support (from two to 80). EBAs are found around the world, but most (77%) of them are located in the tropics and subtropics.

GHS-BUILT-S R2023A - GHS built-up surface grid, derived from Sentinel2 composite and Landsat, multitemporal (1975-2030). The spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of built-up surfaces, expressed as the number of square meters. The data report about the total built-up surface and the built-up surface allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 1975 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 1975 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 1980 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 1980 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 1985 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 1985 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 1990 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 1990 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 1995 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 1995 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 2000 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2000 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 2005 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2005 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 2010 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2010 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 2015 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2015 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface (square meters) for year 2020 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2020 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2025 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2025 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2030 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2030 over cells of 1x1 km size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2030 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the total BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2030 over cells of 100x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the Non Residential BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2030 over cells of 100 x100 m size.

The GHS-BUILT-S spatial raster dataset depicts the distribution of the built-up (BU) surfaces estimates between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals and two functional use components a) the total BU surface and b) the non-residential (NRES) BU surface. The data is made by spatial-temporal interpolation of five observed collections of multiple-sensor, multiple-platform satellite imageries: Landsat (MSS, TM, ETM sensor) data supports the 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014 epochs, while a Sentinel-2 (S2) image composite (GHS-composite-S2 R2020A) supports the 2018 epoch.

This data represents the Non residential BU surface estimates (square meters) for year 2030 over cells of 1x1 km size.

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

This data represents the total built-up volume between 1975 and 2030 in 5 year intervals over cells of 1x1 km size.

It derives from the GHS-BUILT-V - R2023A spatial raster dataset, that depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic metres. The data report about the total built-up volume and the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses.

The dataset is part the Global Human Settlement Layer , Global, high-resolution, multi-temporal gridded data on built-up environment (built-up surface, built-up volume, residential vs. non-residential function), resident population, and settlement classification by the UN-recommended methodology “degree of urbanisation”. The complete information about the GHSL main products can be found in the GHSL Data Package 2023 report

The GHS-BUILT-V R2023A dataset depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic meters. This data reports about the total built-up volume. Data are spatial-temporal interpolated from 1975 to 2030 in 5 year intervals. Data were obtained by multiplying the GHS built-up surface versus the GHS building height (ANBH) part of the same GHS collection. The layer available within this portal depicts the 2030 prediction.

The GHS-BUILT-V R2023A dataset depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic meters. This data reports about the total built-up volume. Data are spatial-temporal interpolated from 1975 to 2030 in 5 year intervals. Data were obtained by multiplying the GHS built-up surface versus the GHS building height (ANBH) part of the same GHS collection. The layer available within this portal depicts the 2030 prediction.

The GHS-BUILT-V R2023A dataset depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic meters. The data reports about the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses. Data are spatial-temporal interpolated from 1975 to 2030 in 5 year intervals. Data were obtained by multiplying the GHS built-up surface versus the GHS building height (ANBH) part of the same GHS collection. The layer available within this portal depicts the 2030 prediction.

The GHS-BUILT-V R2023A dataset depicts the distribution of built-up volumes, expressed as number of cubic meters. The data reports about the built-up volume allocated to dominant non-residential (NRES) uses. Data are spatial-temporal interpolated from 1975 to 2030 in 5 year intervals. Data were obtained by multiplying the GHS built-up surface versus the GHS building height (ANBH) part of the same GHS collection. The layer available within this portal depicts the 2030 prediction.

The IUCN IMMA layer identifies specific habitat areas crucial for one or more marine mammal species, which may be suitable for conservation through delineation and management. IMMAs represent regions that could benefit from targeted protection and/or monitoring. They serve as a marine mammal data layer highlighting important biodiversity, and potentially ecosystem health, which can be prioritized for protection and management by governments, intergovernmental organizations, conservation groups, and the public.

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are the most important places in the world for species and their habitats. Faced with a global environmental crisis we need to focus our collective efforts on conserving the places that matter most. The KBA Programme supports the identification, mapping, monitoring and conservation of KBAs to help safeguard the most critical sites for nature on our planet – from rainforests to reefs, mountains to marshes, deserts to grasslands and to the deepest parts of the oceans. By providing the precise location of places that contribute significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity, KBAs can accelerate efforts to reverse the loss of nature, by ensuring conservation efforts are focussed in the places that matter most, and by enabling entities that may have negative impacts on nature to avoid or reduce those impacts in the places they would be most damaging. This layer shows the location of the KBAs, identified and mapped by the KBA partnership.

Land cover is defined as the physical material at the surface of the earth, usually documented via the interpretation of earth observations. Common land cover types include trees, grass, bare ground, built up areas, water, etc. How well are different ecosystem types (as indicated by land cover) preserved and how strong are anthropogenic changes affecting their distribution in a given area? Human pressures are constantly increasing and it is important to monitor the consequences of the associated changes on the environment. This map shows the changes in land cover between 1995 and 2015.

From the new available dataset in GFW on tree cover change between 2000 and 2020, here we are displaying the net change in tree cover by percent for country.The net change in tree cover corresponds to the area of gross gain minus the area of gross loss to show the overall change (negative or positive). The attribute table provides also statistics on net change in tree cover  such stable forest or disturbed forest(in hectars).

This dataset is accessed through Global Forest Watch on 04/10/2022. www.globalforestwatch.org.

Potapov, P., Hansen, M.C., Pickens, A., Hernandez-Serna, A., Tyukavina, A., Turubanova, S., Zalles, V., Li, X., Khan, A., Stolle, F., Harris, N., Song, X-P., Baggett, A., Kommareddy, I., and Kommareddy, A. 2022. The Global 2000-2020 Land Cover and Land Use Change Dataset Derived From the Landsat Archive: First Results. Frontiers in Remote Sensing, 13, April 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsen.2022.856903; summarized by administrative area at WRI

Shapefile showing the location of protected areas in Africa as national parcs and natural reserves.

Africa is projected to have the fastest urban growth rate in the world — by 2050, Africa’s cities will be home to an additional 950 million people. Urban planning and management are essential development challenges. Understanding urbanisation, its drivers, dynamics and impacts, is key to designing targeted, inclusive and foward-looking policies at the local, national and continental levels. Africapolis data and evidence supports cities and governments to make urban areas more inclusive, productive and sustainable. This map of urban population covers 7 500 agglomerations in 50 countries for the base year 2015.

• Cooling Absorption System;
• Refrigeration Absorption System;
• Binary ORC Power Plant;
• Flash Power Plant;
• Heat for Direct Use;
• Heat for High Temperature Heat Pump;

• base case scenario;
• upside scenario, modelling a better fluid flow;
• up up side, modelling both better fluid flow and higher underground temperatures.

Higher energy demands in Africa has led to a wide expansion of the number of hydropower sites, mainly between the 1960s and 1980s. The construction of dams causes impoundments of rivers and reservoirs in the regions of dam influence, with higher evaporation and water temperatures due to increased water surfaces. This map shows the he surface area (sqkm) of African reservoirs subject to hydropower production for the year 2016. It includes reservoirs of associated hydropower plants with installed capacities above 5MW. Apart from this, only reservoirs with a detected dam-caused impoundment of water surface are considered.

Priority areas are identified using local coefficients estimated through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), which measures the spatially varying relationship between access to electricity and education using the indicator of percentage of population with secondary education .
The tool highlights locations where the local association between electricity access and the selected nutrition indicator is both negative and statistically significant. In this application, priority areas are further restricted to locations where electricity access is below 80%, ensuring that the results remain relevant for policy intervention.
The identified areas are classified as having strong, moderate, or mild associations according to the magnitude of the local GWR coefficient. This classification helps users determine the appropriate intensity of intervention. The spatially varying coefficients therefore allow users to identify areas where limited electricity access is most strongly associated with higher education, supporting targeted interventions, programme planning, and place-based development strategies.

Priority areas are identified using local coefficients estimated through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), which measures the spatially varying relationship between access to electricity and gender using the indicator of proportion of women with secondary school. The tool highlights locations where the local association between electricity access and the selected nutrition indicator is both negative and statistically significant. In this application, priority areas are further restricted to locations where electricity access is below 80%, ensuring that the results remain relevant for policy intervention. The identified areas are classified as having strong, moderate, or mild associations according to the magnitude of the local GWR coefficient. This classification helps users determine the appropriate intensity of intervention. The spatially varying coefficients therefore allow users to identify areas where limited electricity access is most strongly associated with lower proportion of women at secondary school, supporting targeted interventions, programme planning, and place-based development strategies.

Priority areas are identified using local coefficients estimated through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), which measures the spatially varying relationship between access to electricity and health using the indicator of under-5 mortality.

The tool highlights locations where the local association between electricity access and the selected nutrition indicator is both negative and statistically significant. In this application, priority areas are further restricted to locations where electricity access is below 80%, ensuring that the results remain relevant for policy intervention.

The identified areas are classified as having strong, moderate, or mild associations according to the magnitude of the local GWR coefficient. This classification helps users determine the appropriate intensity of intervention. The spatially varying coefficients therefore allow users to identify areas where limited electricity access is most strongly associated with higher mortality among children under five, supporting targeted interventions, programme planning, and place-based development strategies.

Priority areas are identified using local coefficients estimated through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), which measures the spatially varying relationship between access to electricity and four nutrition indicators among children under five: stunting, wasting, severe wasting, and underweight.

The tool highlights locations where the local association between electricity access and the selected nutrition indicator is both negative and statistically significant. In this application, priority areas are further restricted to locations where electricity access is below 80%, ensuring that the results remain relevant for policy intervention.

The identified areas are classified as having strong, moderate, or mild associations according to the magnitude of the local GWR coefficient. This classification helps users determine the appropriate intensity of intervention. The spatially varying coefficients therefore allow users to identify areas where limited electricity access is most strongly associated with poorer nutritional outcomes among children under five, supporting targeted interventions, programme planning, and place-based development strategies.

Priority areas are identified using local coefficients estimated through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), which measures the spatially varying relationship between access to sanitation infrastructure and education using the indicator of percentage of population with secondary education . The tool highlights locations where the local association between electricity access and the selected nutrition indicator is both negative and statistically significant. The identified areas are classified as having strong, moderate, or mild associations according to the magnitude of the local GWR coefficient. This classification helps users determine the appropriate intensity of intervention. The spatially varying coefficients therefore allow users to identify areas where limited sanitation access is most strongly associated with lower education, supporting targeted interventions, programme planning, and place-based development strategies.

Priority areas are identified using local coefficients estimated through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), which measures the spatially varying relationship between access to sanitation infrastructure and gender using the indicator of percentage of women with secondary education. The tool highlights locations where the local association between sanitation access and the selected gender indicator is both negative and statistically significant. The identified areas are classified as having strong, moderate, or mild associations according to the magnitude of the local GWR coefficient. This classification helps users determine the appropriate intensity of intervention. The spatially varying coefficients therefore allow users to identify areas where limited sanitation access is most strongly associated with lower women education, supporting targeted interventions, programme planning, and place-based development strategies.

Priority areas are identified using local coefficients estimated through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), which measures the spatially varying relationship between access to sanitation and four nutrition indicators among children under five: stunting, wasting, severe wasting, and underweight.

The tool highlights locations where the local association between sanitation access and the selected nutrition indicator is both negative and statistically significant. In this application, priority areas are further restricted to locations where sanitation access is below 80%, ensuring that the results remain relevant for policy intervention.

The identified areas are classified as having strong, moderate, or mild associations according to the magnitude of the local GWR coefficient. This classification helps users determine the appropriate intensity of intervention. The spatially varying coefficients therefore allow users to identify areas where limited sanitation access is most strongly associated with poorer child nutrition outcomes, supporting targeted interventions, programme planning and place-based development strategies.

This dataset represents a geographic clip to Africa of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), which is the authoritative and most complete global dataset on terrestrial and marine protected areas. The parent database is a joint initiative between the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), managed by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). Information is submitted and verified by international secretariats, national and regional governments, NGOs, communities, and landowners.

This spatial dataset has been specifically filtered and clipped to include only protected areas located within the terrestrial and marine boundaries of the African continent and its associated island nations.

The dataset comprises both spatial data (GIS boundaries) and attribute data (descriptive information) for protected sites across Africa. Key attributes include site name, designation type (national, regional, or international), governance model, IUCN management category, marine/terrestrial status, and legal establishment date.

The WDPA is the primary global mechanism used to track progress toward international area-based conservation targets. This African subset is widely used across various sectors for:

• Conservation & Science: Ecological research, protected area monitoring, and biodiversity assessments specific to African biomes.
• Corporate & Financial Risk: Environmental impact assessments and supply chain risk analyses for infrastructure and commercial projects operating in Africa.
• Policy & Reporting: Informing national and international decision-making and tracking regional progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The global WDPA dataset is updated and released on a monthly basis through the Protected Planet platform. This clip was extracted on May 2026.