Global Mega-Biome Maps for Mid-Holocene and Last Glacial Maximum

Maps of global vegetation mega-biomes for two key paleoclimate periods: the Mid-Holocene (approximately 6000 years ago) and the Last Glacial Maximum (approximately 21000 years ago). The dataset, created by the SCIOPS organization for the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project Phase II (PMIP2), groups observed biomes into broader functional units like tropical forest, savanna, and tundra to facilitate direct comparison with dynamic vegetation model outputs.

Use Cases

• Validate dynamic vegetation model (DGVM) outputs by comparing simulated biome distributions against the reconstructed mega-biome maps for the Mid-Holocene and Last Glacial Maximum.
• Analyze global shifts in major vegetation structures, such as the expansion of boreal forest or desert, between the Last Glacial Maximum and Mid-Holocene periods.
• Study climate-vegetation feedbacks by correlating the spatial distribution of mega-biomes like 'savanna and dry woodland' or 'tundra' with paleoclimate proxy data.
• Benchmark the performance of different vegetation classification schemes by using the defined mega-biome categories (e.g., warm temperate forest, grassland and dry shrubland).

Strengths

• Covers two distinct and major paleoclimate periods critical for model validation.
• Provides a synthesized classification (mega-biomes) designed specifically for direct comparison with coarse-resolution model outputs.
• Associated with the authoritative Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project (PMIP2).

Limitations

• Specific spatial resolution, row/column counts, and file formats are unknown.
• The biome grouping into broader mega-biomes may obscure finer ecological details present in the original palaeodata.
• Temporal coverage is limited to two snapshot periods rather than a continuous time series.

Provenance

Source

Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project - Phase II (PMIP2) and SCIOPS organization.

Collection Method

Derived by grouping observed paleo-biomes from palaeodata into broader functional mega-biome categories based on structure and functioning.

Time Range

Mid-Holocene (~6000 years ago) and Last Glacial Maximum (~21000 years ago).

Geography

Global.