Global Land and Biodiversity Data: Mapping Ecosystem Changes
Description
This dataset examines the relationship between land use changes and biodiversity trends over time, covering the years 2005, 2010, 2021, and 2024. The primary source of raw data is the UN Data for Environment: Land Estimates, last updated in November 2024. It helps researchers, policymakers, and environmentalists analyze how human activities impact ecosystems and biodiversity conservation efforts. Research Hypothesis: We hypothesize that increased agricultural land use and deforestation correlate with a decline in biodiversity protection. Specifically: Higher arable land percentages lead to lower forest cover and fewer protected biodiversity sites. Countries with stronger conservation policies will show higher biodiversity protection values despite land use changes. Regional differences will depend on policy interventions, climate conditions, and economic development. Key Findings: Deforestation is increasing in several regions due to agricultural expansion. Biodiversity protection efforts are uneven, with some countries improving and others stagnating. Some nations successfully balance agriculture and conservation, while others struggle with sustainability. Dataset Structure The dataset has two key components: π Land Use Data (final_filtered_countries_cleaned.csv) Country & Year β Tracks changes over time Arable Land % β Land used for crops Forests % β Land covered by forests Crops % β Land for permanent crops Use β Helps monitor deforestation and land degradation trends π¦ Biodiversity Data (bio_countries_cleaned.csv) Country & Year β Tracks biodiversity indicators Series β Description of the indicator measured Value β % of key biodiversity sites under protection Use β Helps track conservation and biodiversity protection How to Interpret the Data High arable land percentages & declining forest cover β Rapid agricultural expansion. Increasing protected biodiversity sites β Effective conservation policies. Year-to-year comparisons β Identify trends and policy effectiveness. Cross-country comparisons β Understand sustainable land-use practices. Applications & Importance β Tracking Environmental Changes β Helps monitor deforestation and biodiversity loss. β Policy Decision-Making β Supports sustainable land-use planning. β Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 15) β Provides insights into forest and biodiversity conservation. β Scientific Research & Climate Studies β Helps study climate change impacts. β Educational Use β Real-world data for students and educators. This dataset is a valuable resource for understanding land use, conservation policies, and biodiversity protection worldwide.
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Steps to reproduce
Steps to Reproduce the Data and Generate Global Leaflet Maps This section outlines the complete process, from data collection to the final visualization using Leaflet.js. It ensures transparency and allows others to replicate, validate, or extend the dataset and its insights. Step 1: Data Collection Primary Source: UN Data for Environment (Land Estimates), last updated in November 2024. Years Covered: 2005, 2010, 2021, 2024. Data Download: Extract raw CSV files from the UN database. Data Categories: Land Use Data: Tracks arable land, forest cover, and permanent crops. Biodiversity Data: Measures the percentage of protected biodiversity sites. Step 2: Data Preprocessing Before analysis, raw data needs cleaning and restructuring for consistency. 2.1 Cleaning & Formatting β Remove missing or inconsistent values (e.g., blank fields, incorrect country codes). β Standardize country names (e.g., βUnited States of Americaβ β βUSAβ). β Convert percentages into decimals for uniform calculations. β Ensure consistent timeframes across datasets (2005, 2010, 2021, 2024). 2.2 Merging Datasets πΉ Join land use and biodiversity datasets using the common fields: Country Year πΉ Align data structure to ensure smooth integration for mapping. Step 3: Data Processing & Analysis After preprocessing, we generate insights using statistical and geospatial techniques. 3.1 Calculating Key Metrics β Land Use Trends β Identify % changes in arable land, forest cover, and crop expansion. β Biodiversity Protection Trends β Compare protected area coverage across years. β Correlation Analysis β Check if land use changes negatively impact biodiversity conservation. 3.2 Data Transformation for Mapping β Convert processed data into GeoJSON format for Leaflet. β Ensure correct latitude and longitude mapping for each country. β Assign color codes based on values (e.g., red for high deforestation, green for well-protected areas). Step 4: Generating Leaflet Maps 4.1 Setting Up Leaflet.js πΉ Create an HTML file and include Leaflet.js 4.2 Loading and Visualizing Data πΉ Initialize the Map Load GeoJSON Data Step 5: Finalizing & Deployment β Embed the Leaflet map into the website ihugtrees.org/data-analytics.html β Ensure interactivity (zoom, tooltips, legend, etc.). β Enable real-time updates (by linking to live UN datasets in future versions). Final Outcome π Interactive Global Map displaying land use and biodiversity trends. π Users can explore country-specific data by clicking on the map. π Policymakers, researchers, and conservationists can analyze trends and use insights for decision-making. This structured approach ensures that the dataset, analysis, and visualization are transparent, reproducible, and useful for the global community.