> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.basin.global/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.basin.global/appendix/land-cover-classification-and-ecosystem-typologies/ecosystem-classification-frameworks/iucn-global-ecosystem-typology-2.0-iucn-get-2.0.md). # IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology 2.0 (IUCN GET 2.0) The [IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology 2.0](https://global-ecosystems.org/) offers a structured classification system that categorizes ecosystems based on their ecological functions and species assemblages. BASIN honed in on Levels 2 and 3, the system identifies "Functional Biomes" and "Ecosystem Functional Groups" as critical components within broader realms like terrestrial, freshwater, and marine. Functional Biomes share major ecological drivers that regulate key functions, while Ecosystem Functional Groups within these biomes share common drivers that lead to similar biotic traits. This hierarchical framework is essential for understanding the traits and drivers that underlie ecosystem functionality, thus aiding in ecosystem management and conservation efforts. This classification is crucial given the human influence on ecosystems, many of which are at risk of collapse, impacting biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being. {% hint style="info" %} SEEA EA, TNFD, and IUCN Red List utilize and reference IUCN GET 2.0 {% endhint %} ## Realms, Biomes, and Ecosystem Functional Groups ### Terrestrial #### T1 Tropical-subtropical forests * T1.1 Tropical-subtropical lowland rainforests * T1.2 Tropical-subtropical dry forests and thickets * T1.3 Tropical-subtropical montane rainforests * T1.4 Tropical heath forests #### T2 Temperate-boreal forests & woodlands * T2.1 Boreal and temperate high montane forests and woodlands * T2.2 Deciduous temperate forests * T2.3 Oceanic cool temperate rainforests * T2.4 Warm temperate laurophyll forests * T2.5 Temperate pyric humid forests #### T3 Shrublands & shrubby woodlands * T3.1 Seasonally dry tropical shrublands * T3.2 Seasonally dry temperate heaths and shrublands * T3.3 Cool temperate heathlands * T3.4 Rocky pavements, screes and lava flows #### T4 Savannas and grasslands * T4.1 Trophic savannas * T4.2 Pyric tussock savannas * T4.3 Hummock savannas * T4.4 Temperate woodlands * T4.5 Temperate subhumid grasslands #### T5 Deserts and semi-deserts * T5.1 Semi-desert steppes * T5.2 Thorny deserts and semi-deserts * T5.3 Sclerophyll hot deserts and semi-deserts * T5.4 Cool deserts and semi-deserts * T5.5 Hyper-arid deserts #### T6 Polar-alpine * T6.1 Ice sheets, glaciers and perennial snowfields * T6.2 Polar-alpine rocky outcrops * T6.3 Polar tundra and deserts * T6.4 Temperate alpine grasslands and shrublands * T6.5 Tropical alpine grasslands and shrublands #### T7 Intensive land-use systems * T7.1 Annual croplands * T7.2 Sown pastures and fields * T7.3 Plantations * T7.4 Urban and industrial ecosystems * T7.5 Derived semi-natural pastures and oldfields ### Subterranean #### S1 Subterranean lithic systems * S1.1 Aerobic caves * S1.2 Endolithic systems * S2.1 Anthropogenic subterranean voids #### SF1 Subterranean freshwaters * SF1.1 Underground streams and pools * SF1.2 Groundwater ecosystems #### SF2 Anthropogenic subterranean freshwater * SF2.1 Water pipes and subterranean canals * SF2.2 Flooded mines and other voids #### SM1 Subterranean tidal systems * SM3.1 Anchialine caves * SM3.2 Anchialine pools * SM3.1 Sea caves ### Wetlands #### TF1 Palustrine wetlands * TF1.1 Tropical flooded forests and peat forests * TF1.2 Subtropical/temperate forested wetlands * TF1.3 Permanent marshes * TF1.4 Seasonal floodplain marshes * TF1.5 Episodic arid floodplains * TF1.6 Boreal, temperate and montane peat bogs * TF1.7 Boreal and temperate fens #### F1 Rivers and streams * F1.1 Permanent upland streams * F1.2 Permanent lowland rivers * F1.3 Freeze-thaw rivers and streams * F1.4 Seasonal upland streams * F1.5 Seasonal lowland rivers * F1.6 Episodic arid rivers * F1.7 Large lowland rivers #### F2 Lakes * F2.1 Large permanent freshwater lakes * F2.2 Small permanent freshwater lakes * F2.3 Seasonal freshwater lakes * F2.4 Freeze-thaw freshwater lakes * F2.5 Ephemeral freshwater lakes * F2.6 Permanent salt and soda lakes * F2.7 Ephemeral salt lakes * F2.8 Artesian springs and oases * F2.9 Geothermal pools and wetlands * F2.10 Subglacial lakes #### F3 Artificial fresh waters * F3.1 Large reservoirs * F3.2 Constructed lacustrine wetlands * F3.3 Rice paddies * F3.4 Freshwater aquafarms * F3.5 Canals, ditches and drains #### FM1 Semi-confined transitional waters * FM1.1 Deepwater coastal inlets * FM1.2 Permanently open riverine estuaries and bays * FM1.3 Intermittently closed and open lakes and lagoons ### Marine #### M Marine shelves * M1.1 Seagrass meadows * M1.2 Kelp forests * M1.3 Photic coral reefs * M1.4 Shellfish beds and reefs * M1.5 Photo-limited marine animal forests * M1.6 Subtidal rocky reefs * M1.7 Subtidal sand beds * M1.8 Subtidal mud plains * M1.9 Upwelling zones #### M2 Pelagic ocean waters * M2.1 Epipelagic ocean waters * M2.2 Mesopelagic ocean waters * M2.3 Bathypelagic ocean waters * M2.4 Abyssopelagic ocean waters * M2.5 Sea ice #### M3 Deep sea floors * M3.1 Continental and island slopes * M3.2 Marine canyons * M3.3 Abyssal plains * M3.4 Seamounts, ridges and plateaus * M3.5 Deepwater biogenic beds * M3.6 Hadal trenches and troughs * M3.7 Chemosynthetically-based ecosystems #### M4 Anthropogenic marine systems * M4.1 Submerged artificial structures * M4.2 Marine aquafarms ### Shoreline Systems #### MT1 Shoreline systems * MT1.1 Rocky shores * MT1.2 Muddy shores * MT1.3 Sandy shores * MT1.4 Boulder and cobble shores #### MT2 Supralittoral coastal systems * MT2.1 Coastal shrublands and grasslands #### MT3 Anthropogenic shorelines * MT3.1 Artificial shores #### MFT1 Brackish tidal systems * MFT1.1 Coastal river deltas * MFT1.2 Intertidal forests and shrublands * MFT1.3 Coastal saltmarshes and reedbeds