The ECAT dataset: expert-validated distribution data of endemic and sub-endemic trees of Central Africa (Dem. Rep. Congo, Rwanda, Burundi)

Abstract

In this data paper, we present a specimen-based occurrence dataset compiled in the framework of the Conservation of Endemic Central African Trees (ECAT) project with the aim of producing global conservation assessments for the IUCN Red List. The project targets all tree species endemic or sub-endemic to the Central African region comprising the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), Rwanda, and Burundi. The dataset contains 6361 plant collection records with occurrences of 8910 specimens from 337 taxa belonging to 153 genera in 52 families. Many of these tree taxa have restricted geographic ranges and are only known from a small number of herbarium specimens. As assessments for such taxa can be compromised by inadequate data, we transcribed and geo-referenced specimen label information to obtain a more accurate and complete locality dataset. All specimen data were manually cleaned and verified by botanical experts, resulting in improved data quality and consistency.

TreeGOER: A database with globally observed environmental ranges for 48,129 tree species

“…From the records where countries did not match, I retained all records where the countries matched for the NE 1:10 m layer (https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/10m-cultural-vectors/; version 5.1.1 downloaded in November 2022). By using the small‐scale layer first, I allowed for some buffers around country boundaries, but such buffers can be considered acceptable given the spatial precision of country GIS layers and locality data (Tack et al, 2022). The NE 1:10 million layer did not show the distribution of certain GBIF country codes as for example ‘GF’ (French Guyana, with corresponding occurrences mainly mapped by NE in the multipolygon with the country code of ‘FRA’, indicating France) or ‘BQ’ (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, corresponding in NE to The Netherlands).…”

“…natur alear thdata.com/downl oads/10m-cultu ral-vecto rs/; version 5.1.1 downloaded in November 2022). By using the small-scale layer first, I allowed for some buffers around country boundaries, but such buffers can be considered acceptable given the spatial precision of country GIS layers and locality data (Tack et al, 2022).…”

TreeGOER: a database with globally observed environmental ranges for 48,129 tree species

“…From the records where countries did not match, I retained all records where the countries matched for the NE 1:10m layer (https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/10mcultural-vectors/; version 5.1.1 downloaded in November 2022). By using the small scale layer first, I allowed for some buffers around country boundaries, but such buffers can be considered acceptable given the spatial precision of country GIS layers and locality data (Tack et al, 2022). The NE 1:10 million layer did not show the distribution of certain GBIF country codes as for example 'GF' (French Guyana, with corresponding occurrences mainly mapped by NE in the multipolygon with the country code of 'FRA', indicating France) or 'BQ' (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, corresponding in NE to The Netherlands).…”