Information GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0
-----------------------------
Version: V1.0
Note: for a description of the polygon delineation methods, please read Koerner et al., 2016

General: 
- The file "GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0.xls" provides the list of 1003 mountain polygons in the GMBA mountain inventory V1.0. Each entry corresponds to a polygon and includes (COLUMN LABELS):
a) the name (NAME)
b) the mega-region (MEGA-REGION)
c) the latitude of the polygon's center in degrees and decimal fractions of degrees (LATITUDINAL_CENTER)
d) the longitude of the polygon's center in degrees and decimal fractions of degrees (LONGITUDINAL_CENTER)
e) the point of maximum elevation within the polygon in meters (MAXIMUM_ELEVATION [m])
f) the areaof mountainous terrain (sensu GMBA, Koerner et al. 2011) within each of seven thermal belts (see below, Koerner et al. 2011) (MOUNTAIN_AREA_BELTX)
g) the total surface of mountainous terrain (TOTAL_MOUNTAIN_AREA)
h) the number of people living in the total area of mountainous terrain (TOTAL_MOUNTAIN_POPULATION) 
i) the total area within each of seven thermal belts (TOTAL_AREA_BELTX)
j) the total area of the polygon (TOTAL_POLYGON_AREA)
k) the number of people living in the total area of non-mountainous terrain (TOTAL_POLYGON_POPULATION)
  
- The files required to work in a GIS software are organized in three folders: 
1) "GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0(entire world)" provides 1 set of GIS files (.dbf, .prj, .shp, .shx) showing the full world-wide inventory. The attribute table includes object name, country, and the online resource used for its identification (see below).  
2) "GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0(by mega-region)" provides 8 sets of GIS files (.dbf, .prj, .shp, .shx), one for each mega-region of the world (Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Greenland, North America, Oceania, and South America). Each of these sets of files shows an inventory for a specific mega-region and the attribute table includes object name, country, and the online resource used for its identification (see below). 
3) "GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0(supplementary large-scale set)" provides 1 set of GIS files (.dbf, .prj, .shp, .shx) showing an inventory of 17 large mountain systems of the world. Any of these 17 objects includes at least all the inventory entries listed in "GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0(entire world)" that are part of the specific mountain system but can include additional terrain that is not included in any specific inventory entry listed in "GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0(entire world)". The attribute table inclues object name and country.  

Note 1): the surface and population values offered in "GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0.xls" are calculated solely on the inventory entries listed in 1) and 2)
Note 2): "GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0(supplementary large-scale set)" is made available solely for large scale comparisons and for the rapid localization of large mountain systems. 

- The file "GMBA mountain inventory_V1.0_ online maps" includes all the online resources used to support polygon delineation  

 
Thermal belts (according to Koerner et al. 2011)
1: nival, season length <= 10 days 
2: upper alpine zone; season length between 10 and 59 days or season longer and season mean < 3.5 degrees C
3: lower alpine zone; season length < 94 or season mean < 6.4 degrees C
4: upper montane zone; season length >= 94 days and season mean between 6.4 and 10.0 degrees C

5: lower montane zone; season length >= 94 days and season mean between 10.0 and 15.0 degrees C

6: warm zone with possible freezing; season length >= 94 days and season mean >= 15.0 degrees C

7: zone with perpetual warm conditions, no freezing; season length >= 94 days and season mean >= 15.0 degrees C


How to cite:
When using the GMBA mountain inventory data, please cite:  
Koerner C, Jetz W, Paulsen J, Payne D, Rudmann-Maurer K, Spehn E (2016) A global inventory of mountains for bio-geographical applications. Alpine Botany xxx(x): xx-xx and the dataset DOI: xxx. 
Note that if using a customized version of this inventory users are requested to cite the above but clearly indicate that modifications have been made. 

Important Notes: 
- any change to the shape files provided online are under the responsibility of the user performing the change 
- modifications to any polygon will result in changes in the mountain statistics published in Koerner et al., 2016 
- users are welcome to send suggestions for modifications to the GMBA International Project Office for review (gmba@ips.unibe.ch). Accepted changes will be incorporated in updated versions.