A digital global map of irrigated areas

For the purpose of global modeling of water use and crop production, a digi tal global map of irrigated areas was developed. The map depicts the percen tage of each 0.5 degrees by 0.5 degrees cell that was equipped for irrigati on in 1995. It was derived by combining information from large-scale maps w ith outlines of irrigated areas (one or more countries per map), FAO data o n total irrigated area per country in 1995, and national data on total irri gated area per county, drainage basin or federal state. This paper describe s the data set, the data and map sources as well as the map generation, and it discusses the uncertainty of the generated map. We plan to improve this map; therefore, comments, information acid data that might contribute to t his effort are highly welcome.