Extended wetland ecosystem layer 2012 (raster 100m) version 2, Jul. 2021

A great diversity of wetlands exists making the definition of a wetland ecosystem both challenging and controversial. The development of an extended wetland ecosystem layer according to the definition of the Ramsar convention is an explicit policy request in Europe which builds on an ecosystem-based justification of an inclusive definition, delimitation and delineation of wetlands, looking at the “hydro-ecological” boundaries of this ecosystem (including their wetness and flow characteristics). This metadata refer to the raster dataset presenting the ecosystem wetlands extent in 2012. This includes 20 wetland classes which, besides inland and coastal wetlands, includes transitional ecosystems corresponding to wetlands such as riparian forests, wet grasslands, estuaries, or rice fields.