Applying the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology to classify, describe, and map ecosystems based on regional data and Indigenous knowledge

Abstract

Effective ecosystem conservation for biodiversity and human well-being relies on accurate information. Consistent approaches to classifying, describing, and assessing ecosystems can improve understanding of ecological processes, threats, and management. We explored how the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Ecosystem Typology—a global classification framework based on ecosystem function—could support the development of a classification of ecosystems for the Tiwi Islands, Australia, by incorporating scientific information and Indigenous Tiwi knowledge to facilitate environmental management and conservation. We synthesized ecosystem information from previous research,..