3. Global lakes and wetlands database
Title |
The global lakes and wetlands database GLWD |
Date |
2004 |
Version |
1.0 |
Former versions |
WELAREM1 (2001) |
Abstract |
Drawing upon a variety of existing maps, data and information, a new Global Lakes and Wetlands Database (GLWD) has been created. The combination of best available sources for lakes and wetlands on a global scale (1:1 to 1:3 million resolution), and the application of GIS functionality enabled the generation of a database which focuses in three coordinated levels on (1) large lakes and reservoirs, (2) smaller water bodies, and (3) wetlands. Level 1 (GLWD-1) comprises the shoreline polygons of the 3067 largest lakes (area ≥ 50 km2) and 654 largest reservoirs (storage capacity ≥ 0.5 km3) worldwide, and includes extensive attribute data. Level 2 (GLWD-2) comprises the shoreline polygons of permanent open water bodies with a surface area ≥ 0.1 km2 excluding the water bodies contained in GLWD-1. The approx. 250,000 polygons of GLWD-2 are attributed as lakes, reservoirs and rivers. Level 3 (GLWD-3) comprises lakes, reservoirs, rivers and different wetland types in the form of a global raster map at 30-second resolution. For GLWD-3, the polygons of GLWD-1 and GLWD-2 were combined with additional information on the maximum extents and types of wetlands. Class ‘lake’ in both GLWD-2 and GLWD-3 also includes man-made reservoirs, as only the largest reservoirs have been distinguished from natural lakes. GLWD-2 and GLWD-3 do not provide detailed descriptive attributes such as names or volumes. |
Format |
GLWD-1 and GLWD-2 are distributed as ArcView polygon shapefiles while GLWD-3 is distributed as grid in ArcView/ArcInfo coverage format. Total file size of the database is about 140 MB. Fore more information regarding spatial resolutions and attributes please read the documentation. |
Purpose |
Classification of stagnant fresh water bodies. |
Data download Alternative URL |
https://worldwildlife.org/pages/global-lakes-and-wetlands-database - |
Documentation Alternative URL |
http://www.worldwildlife.org/science/data/WWFBinaryitem8606.pdf - |
Keywords |
lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, surface water, fresh water, global map, hydrology |
Please cite as |
"Lehner, B. and Döll, P. (2004): Development and validation of a global database of lakes, reservoirs and wetlands. Journal of Hydrology 296/1-4: 1-22." |