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Deep Dive: Global geophysical map layers available in Birdi 2.0 Map Library
Deep Dive: Global geophysical map layers available in Birdi 2.0 Map Library

Information about global coverage basemap laters

Georgina Doyle avatar
Written by Georgina Doyle
Updated this week

Overview

The Birdi platform provides a variety of map layers integrated from MapTiler, designed to meet different needs, ranging from terrain analysis to marine exploration. These basemaps show detailed information about the physical features of the Earth’s terrain, elevation, and underwater landscapes. These can be layered in our platform to provide a detailed visual representation of your project area, highlighting 3D relationships in a 2D basemap.

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Map Layer descriptions and use cases

Satellite imagery from 2021 provides aerial views for selected countries. This high-resolution imagery is valuable for analyzing land cover, urban development, and agricultural areas.

  • Use Case: All mapping needs.

  • Relevant industries: Agriculture, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Environmental Monitoring, Infrastructure Development, Carbon projects.

Topographic map suitable for terrain analysis and nature-related applications, covering the entire globe. This map provides a broad perspective on elevation and natural features.

  • Use Case: Ideal for outdoor activities, environmental studies, and applications that require a comprehensive understanding of terrain.

  • Relevant industries:Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Conservation, Civil Engineering, Forestry, Geology, Carbon projects.

Hillshade global raster map is a transparent shaded topography layer that enhances the visualization of terrain such as hills and mountains. Created in November 2021, the layer adds depth to otherwise flat maps.

  • Use Case: Useful for interpreting terrain features, enhancing map readability, and providing a more realistic representation of the landscape.

  • Relevant industries: Cartography, GIS Mapping, Civil Engineering, Tourism, Environmental Management, Carbon projects.

Ocean detailed map of the ocean seafloor and bathymetry, offering an in-depth view of underwater landscapes.

  • Use Case: Perfect for studying marine environments, understanding the underwater topography, and gaining insights into the ocean floor.

  • Relevant industries: Marine Science, Fisheries, Oil & Gas Exploration, Environmental Protection, Shipping & Logistics

Ocean Contour lines to represent depth variations in oceanic areas. Created in March 2022, this map helps visualize the depth and underwater topography.

  • Use Case: Particularly useful for marine navigation, scientific exploration, and understanding underwater geological features.

  • Relevant industries: Marine Navigation, Underwater Exploration, Oceanography, Offshore Engineering, Coastal Management

Contours 10m containing contour lines at 10-meter intervals, with heights provided in both meters and feet. Created in August 2024, this dataset offers detailed elevation data across the globe.

  • Use Case: Beneficial for terrain analysis, engineering projects, and other applications where precise elevation data is required.

  • Relevant industries: Surveying, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Carbon Projects.

Land Cover global map for landcover, generalized for viewing at a range of zoom levels. Created in July 2023, this basemap provides insights into different land types, such as forests, urban areas, and agricultural fields.

  • Use Case: Useful for land use planning, environmental monitoring, and gaining an overview of different land types across the globe.

  • Relevant industries: Land Use Planning, Environmental Consulting, Agriculture, Forestry, Real Estate Development, Carbon projects.


The following map layers provide a valuable global overview; however, these datasets are of lower resolution and accuracy compared to the DEMs, contours and hillshade outputs generated from your drone imagery processing. Any discrepancies between these global datasets and your drone-derived data should be carefully considered when visualizing and analysis your projects in Birdi. For accurate reporting and analysis, always prioritize and rely on the higher-resolution outputs from your drone data processing.

What's Next?

To learn how to use these layers, and other map layer tools, refer to these articles:

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