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How do I make a map for inclusion in reports and communication products?

  1. Customize the view of the datasets you selected, as desired.

  2. Use the screenshot function on your computer to capture the map.

  3. For inclusion in formal reports or publications, please ensure you meet mapping standards:

    • Maps should be clear and concise.

    • Important text on maps should be clear and legible (e.g., cities, place names, legend items, etc.).

    • The map should include basic mapping elements, including: a legend of relevant data layers and scale bar.

    • The map must provide correct attribution(s) and citation(s) for the data source(s) used in its creation, either on the map itself or in a caption describing the map, e.g.:

if within the map:

Sources: Sanderman, et al., (2018); UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, (2021).

if in a caption:

Figure 2 shows the estimated soil organic carbon present in mangroves (from Sanderman, et al., (2018)) within protected areas in Vietnam (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, (2021)).

Also be sure to include full citations for datasets used in the references/bibliography section of the document, e.g.:

Sanderman, J. et al. (2018) 'A global map of mangrove forest soil carbon at 30 m spatial resolution', Environmental Research Letters, 13(5), p. 055002. doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/aabe1c.

UNEP-WCMC and IUCN (2021), Protected Planet: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) [On-line], 02/2021, Cambridge, UK: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN Available at: www.protectedplanet.net.

  • Include information on the map (or in the citation describing the map) on: who created the map; the date the map was produced on UN Biodiversity Lab; and a note indicating that the map was created using UN Biodiversity Lab, e.g.:

Created by James Bond using UN Biodiversity Lab (www.unbiodiversitylab.org) on 14 February 2021.

  • Finally, ensure that you also include a citation for the map in the references section of the document. We recommend this format:

Author. "Map title" [format]. Scale. (Date of Production). Map Generated on the UN Biodiversity Lab [web]. Version 2. UNDP and UNEP, [year].

Example

Bond, James. "Mangrove Forest Soil Organic Carbon within Vietnam's Protected Areas" [map]. Scale not given. (14 Feb 2021). Map Generated on the UN Biodiversity Lab (www.unbiodiversitylab.org) [web]. Version 2. UNDP and UNEP, 2023.