Projects - Lizmap

Treeline map, demo

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  Treeline locations
  
  Abstract : The treeline ecotone field data show some pictures and general ecological information of selected...
  
  Projection : EPSG:3857
  Bounding Box : -20037508.342789, -20037508.342789, 20037508.342789, 20037508.342789

  Treeline locations

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  Treeline locations

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  Title

  Treeline locations 

  Abstract

  The treeline ecotone field data show some pictures and general ecological information of selected treeline ecotones. Contributions to add more points are welcome!

  
  

  The training points for TREELIM were used by Paulsen & Körner (2014) to train a model to predict treeline elevation based on WorldClim climate data. This model was then implemented by Karger et al (2019) using CHELSA data, and that implementation was validated by Urquiaga-Flores et al (2026) based on a much larger set of validation points. The training and validation points both refer to the uppermost trees or tree stands found in a region. The validation showed that in some regions, such tree stands were found at higher elevation then where the TREELIM model predicted treeline to be located. This indicates an error in the model prediction, which was corrected empirically based on the validation points. Where the uppermost trees were found below the modelled treeline, no correction was applied, since such situations can occur due to many reasons, including disturbances and human land use. Finally, upper forest limits (UFL) were mapped globally based on an upscaling of Hansen et al (2013) forest cover data, and the distance of these UFLs to the corrected predicted treeline was calculated and interpreted as a potential sign of forest destruction through land use practices, including fire. For more details, see Urquiaga-Flores et al 2026.

  
  

  References for the training and validation points:
  
  Hansen, M. C., P. V. Potapov, R. Moore, M. Hancher, S. A. Turubanova, A. Tyukavina, D. Thau, S. V. Stehman, S. J. Goetz, T. R. Loveland, A. Kommareddy, A. Egorov, L. Chini, C. O. Justice, and J. R. G. Townshend. 2013. High-Resolution Global Maps of 21st-Century Forest Cover Change. Science 342:850–853. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1244693
  
  Karger, D. N., M. Kessler, O. Conrad, P. Weigelt, H. Kreft, C. König, and N. E. Zimmermann. 2019. Why tree lines are lower on islands—Climatic and biogeographic effects hold the answer. Global Ecology and Biogeography 28:839–850. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12897
  
  Paulsen, J., and C. Körner. 2014. A climate-based model to predict potential treeline position around the globe. Alpine Botany 124:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00035-014-0124-0
  
  Urquiaga Flores, E.G., M. Kessler & M.Y. Bader 2026. Global patterns of treeline predictability and the gap between the forest and the treeline. Ecography, https://doi.org/10.1002/ecog.08873

  
  
  

  Data available at:
  
  Urquiaga-Flores, E.G., M. Kessler, Ch. Körner and M.Y. Bader. 2026. Global GIS layers of potential treeline elevation and upper forest limits. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.r2280gbq7 Dryad.

  
  
  

  We are working on including detailed aerial imagery as a base map, bear with us.

   

  Projection

  EPSG:3857 

  Bounding Box

  -20037508.342789, -20037508.342789, 20037508.342789, 20037508.342789

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