The map summarizes the status of the land use and land cover at global scale. It was compiled according to the current GAEZ (Global Agro-Ecological Zones) -2009 approach, developed by FAO in collaboration with IIASA (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis).The current Global AEZ (GAEZ-2009) offers a standardized framework for the characterization of climate, soil and terrain conditions relevant to agricultural production, which can be applied at global to sub-national levels. The map is based on six geographic datasets: - GLC2000 land cover database at 30 arc-sec (http://www-gvm.jrc.it/glc2000), using regional and global legends (JRC, 2006); - an IFPRI global land cover categorization providing 17 land cover classes at 30 arc-sec. (IFPRI, 2002), based on a reinterpretation of the Global Land Cover Characteristics Database (GLCC ver. 2.0), EROS Data Centre (EDC, 2000); - FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 and 2005 (FAO, 2001; FAO, 2006) at 30 arc-sec. resolution; - digital Global Map of Irrigated Areas (GMIA) version 4.0 of (FAO/University of Frankfurt) at 5’ by 5’ latitude/longitude resolution, providing by grid-cell the percentage land area equipped with irrigation infrastructure (Siebert et al., 2007); - a spatial population density inventory (30-arc seconds) for year 2000 developed by FAO-SDRN, based on spatial data of LANDSCAN 2003, with calibration to UN 2000 population figures. An iterative calculation procedure has been implemented to estimate land cover class weights, consistent with aggregate FAO land statistics and spatial land cover patterns obtained from remotely sensed data, allowing the quantification of major land use/land cover shares in individual 5’ by 5’ latitude/longitude grid cells.

Moisture regime classification at about 9 km resolution at the equator, using different climate data source and based on different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) according to the time period as follows: - climate data source CRUTS32 based on historical data for the time period 1981-2010; - climate data source ENSEMBLE based on the Representative Concentration Pathway RCP8.5 for time periods 2041-2070 and 2071-2100. The Moisture regime classification dataset is part of the GAEZ v4 Theme 1 Land and Water Resources, Agro-Ecological Zones sub-theme. The agro-ecological zones classification provides a characterization of bio-physical resources relevant to agricultural production systems. AEZ definitions and map classes follow a rigorous methodology and an explicit set of principles. The inventory combines spatial layers of thermal and moisture regimes with broad categories of soil/terrain qualities. It also indicates locations of areas with irrigated soils and shows land with severely limiting bio-physical constraints including very cold and very dry (desert) areas as well as areas with very steep terrain or very poor soil/terrain conditions. For further details, please refer to the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

Theme 4 presents results of the final step in the GAEZ crop suitability and productivity assessment, combining agro-climatic potential yields with soil/terrain evaluation results, i.e., yield reduction factors due to the constraints induced by soil limitations and prevailing terrain-slope conditions. Grid cells of the resource inventory can be made up of multiple soil types and terrain slope classes. GAEZ determines for each grid cell the respective characteristics of land units in terms of soil types and slope classes. Each of these component land units is separately assessed and assigned a suitability rating and simulated potential yield. The values are accumulated over all component land units in a grid cell, which produces a distribution of results falling into different suitability classes: very suitable (VS), suitable (S), moderately suitable (MS), marginally suitable (mS), very marginally suitable (vmS) and not suitable (NS). This theme provides information for 53 crops and includes sub-themes on: (1) Suitability Class, (2) Suitability Index, (3) Agro-ecological Attainable Yield, and (4) Crop Water Indicators. GAEZ methodology development, data base compilation, production of results and establishing the Data Portal were accomplished in close technical collaboration and with inputs of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). For further details, please refer to the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

Classification by thermal climates and thermal zones dataset at about 9 km resolution at the equator. CRUTS32 as climate data source is used based on historical data for the time period 1981-2010. The Classification by thermal climates and thermal zones dataset is part of the GAEZ v4 Theme 2 Agro-climatic Resources - Climate Classification sub-theme. For additional information on agro-climatic resources and indicators, please to Chapter 3 of the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

The Koeppen-Geiger climate classification is based on a subdivision of terrestrial climates into five major types, which are represented by the capital letters A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (cold), and E (polar). Each of these climate types, except for B, is defined by temperature criteria. Type B designates climates in which the controlling factor on vegetation is dryness (rather than coldness). Dry climates are divided into arid (BW) and semi-arid (BS) subtypes. Other climate types are sub-divided according to seasonal precipitation characteristics. The level-2 classification distinguishes 14 classes. CRUTS32 as climate data source is used based on historical data for the time period 1981-2010. The Koeppen-Geiger climate classification dataset is part of the GAEZ v4 Theme 2 Agro-climatic Resources, Climate Classification sub-theme. For additional information on agro-climatic resources and indicators, please to Chapter 3 of the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

The Thermal zones dataset, at about 9 km resolution, reflects actual monthly temperature conditions throughout the year and serve as input to crop suitability assessment. CRUTS32 as climate data source is used based on historical data for the time period 1981-2010. The Thermal zones dataset is part of the GAEZ v4 Theme 2 Agro-climatic Resources, Climate Classification sub-theme. For additional information on agro-climatic resources and indicators, please to Chapter 3 of the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

The quality and availability of land and water resources, together with socio-economic conditions and institutional factors, are essential to assure sustainable food security. GAEZ provides a framework for establishing a spatial inventory of land resources. Global environmental datasets provide the spatial characteristics required for land productivity assessments concerning location-specific agro-ecological conditions. The land resources inventory contains spatial layers of climate, land cover, soil, elevation and terrain slopes, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value, administrative units, watersheds, population and livestock distribution. Theme 1: Land and Water Resources provides selected layers of the GAEZ v4 land resources database organized in several sub-themes of (1) Agro-ecological Zones, (2) Land Cover, (3) Soil Resources, (4) Soil Suitability, (5) Terrain Resources, (6) Exclusion Areas, (7) Water Resources, and (8) Selected Socio-economic Data. Results of this theme are presented in a regular raster format of 5 arc-minute (about 9 x 9 km at the equator) grid cells. Selected maps related to AEZ classification, soil suitability, terrain slopes and land cover are provided at 30 arc-second (0.9 x 0.9 km) resolution. The GAEZ v4 update includes 2010 baseline data comprising land cover, a harmonized global soil database and terrain data, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value. Climatic conditions are based on a time series of historical data of 1961-2010 and a selection of future climate simulations (30-year average of years 2011-2040, 2041-2070, and 2070-2099) using recent IPCC AR5 Earth System Model (ESM) outputs for four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). GAEZ methodology development, data base compilation, production of results and establishing the Data Portal were accomplished in close technical collaboration and with inputs of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). For further details, please refer to the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

This map, compiled to support the analysis of SOLAW report concerning trends and current use of water use in agriculture, shows the percentage of irrigated area supplied by groundwater. Irrigation mainly relies on renewable freshwater resources, either surface water or groundwater. However, while the extent of irrigation and related water uses are reported in statistical databases or by model simulations, information on the source of irrigation water is still very rare. A recent global inventory undertaken by FAO and the University of Bonn reports that 113 million ha, or 38 percent of the total area equipped for irrigation of 301 million ha, is irrigated by groundwater (Siebert et al, 2010).

Agricultural production and land statistics are available at national scale from FAOSTAT database, but these statistical data cannot capture the spatial heterogeneity of agricultural production systems at fine resolutions within country boundaries. In this case a “downscaling” method is needed for plausible attribution of aggregate national production statistics to individual spatial units (grid cells) by applying formal methods that account for land characteristics, assess possible production options and can use available evidence from observed or inferred geo-spatial information, including remotely sensed land cover, soil, climate and vegetation distribution, population density and distribution, etc. Theme 5 spatial layers include mapped distributions of harvested area, yield and production at 5 arc-minute resolution for 26 major crops/crop groups, separately in rain-fed and irrigated cropland. Country totals are based on FAO statistics for the years 2009-2011. Also included are estimates of the spatial distribution of total crop production value and the production values of major crop groups (cereals, root crops, oil crops), all valued at year 2000 international prices, separately for rain-fed and irrigated cropland. This theme is organized into two main sub-themes: (1) Area, Yield and Production, and (2) Aggregate Crop Production Value. GAEZ methodology development, data base compilation, production of results and establishing the Data Portal were accomplished in close technical collaboration and with inputs of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). For further details, please refer to the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

Yield gaps provide important information for identifying causes of food insecurity and addressing rural poverty. Yield and production gaps have been estimated by comparing at a spatially detailed level of 5 arc-minutes the agro-ecological attainable yield and production of 22 major crops/crop groups (see Theme 4), simulated under the historical climate of 1981-2010, with actual yields and production obtained by downscaling for the years 2000 and 2010 statistical data of main food, feed and fiber crops (see Theme 5). Comparisons are done separately for rain-fed and irrigated cropland and are presented as crop yield achievement ratios for yields, computed as actual over potential yield, and as absolute values for the difference of potential and actual production. Theme 6 provides information about: (1) Crop Yield Achievement Ratio, (2) Production Gap, and (3) Aggregate Yield Achievement Ratio. Results of this theme are presented in a regular raster format of 5 arc-minute (about 9 x 9 km at the equator) grid cells. GAEZ methodology development, data base compilation, production of results and establishing the Data Portal were accomplished in close technical collaboration and with inputs of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). For further details, please refer to the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.