For this map, the SDG indicators 15.1.1 and 15.1.2 are made into choropleth maps for comparison. Indicator 15.1.1 contains the data of the forest area as a percentage of total land area and indicator 15.1.2 contains the data of the average proportion of Terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) covered by protected areas. These indicators have been chosen because forest areas are often rich in biodiversity. Therefore, many terrestrial KBAs are most likely located within forested regions because these areas tend to have high levels of endemic species and unique ecosystems that need protection to be conserved.

A choropleth map is a type of map that uses different shades of colors to show the value of a specific variable across geographic areas. To make the choropleth maps, a clean world map first needed to be uploaded in QGIS. Then, a shape file of the SDG data was downloaded from the UN SDG indicator meta database and uploaded to QGIS. Next, the data from the world map and the indicator were joined to make sure the values were coupled to the right countries. The joined data was then graduated and styled after which the word map and indicator were deactivated. Lastly, the projection was changed to ‘equal area’ for the right representation.

In general, areas with higher forest density have more Terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas covered by protected areas than areas with a lower forest density. However, it is striking that the middle of Africa and Brazil have a lot of forest but not a lot of KBAs. Europe on the other hand, doesn’t have a lot of forest but a lot of KBAs.