EPIC WebGIS is an interactive spatial data infrastructure, which provides georeferenced cartography at a national scale, using data visualization tools. It can be seen as a landscape planning instrument, offering immediate access to several available themes concerning ecosystems, ecological network and ecological land suitability.

The available data constitutes the outcome of the work carried by a large team with different scientific backgrounds under two projects: project PTDC/AUR-URB/102578/2008 "National Ecological Network - a proposal of delimitation and regulation" and project PTDC/AUR-URB/119340/2010 "Potential Land-Use Ecological Plan. Application to Portugal", both financed by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

The information on this platform covers landscape sub-systems such as: geology/lithology, soil, water, vegetation, climate and land morphology, considered essential to ecosystem and natural resources management. It also integrates several themes regarding a Potential Land Use Plan for Portugal, taking into account the ecological land suitability for the establishment of different activities, such as: nature conservation, agriculture and horticulture, forestry, leisure and recreational facilities, and urban areas.

Thus, EPIC WebGIS gives a significant contribution to spatial planning in the identification and quantification of strategic topics in mapping development policies and strategies, under a sustainable development perspective.

This webgis is made available to all users, upon a simple identification and it can be updated whenever improved cartography is available.