Global Land Cover Characteristics (GLCC) - South America Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0
Where can I get global land cover data?
Access global land cover data using two sources in EarthExplorer:
Global Land Cover Characterization (GLCC):
- In EarthExplorer, select "GLCC" under "Land Cover" in the "Data Sets" tab.
- Derived from 1-km Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data collected April 1992-March 1993.
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Land Cover:
- In EarthExplorer, select "NASA LPDAAC Collections" under the "Data Sets" tab.
- Then select "MODIS Land Cover-V6".
- MODIS MCD12C1 V6 (Land Cover Climate Modeling Grid) - data at yearly intervals 2001-2018.
- MODIS MCD12Q1 V6 (Land Cover Type) - data at yearly intervals 2001-2018.
- MODIS MCD12Q2 V6 (Land Cover Dynamics) - data at yearly intervals 2001-2017.
Learn more:
- Global Ecosystems
- Global Climate Data (NOAA)
- NOAAView Global Data (NOAA)
- Map of Worldwide Croplands (USGS news release)
- Global Soil Regions map and data (USDA NRCS)
- EARTHDATA (NASA)
- Earthshots
Related Content
Where can I find land cover data for the U.S.?
Information on land cover data from the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) is on the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) website. The MRLC website serves several different vintages (dates) of the National Land Cover Database beginning with the 2001 data.
How do changes in climate and land use relate to one another?
The link between land use and the climate is complex. First, land cover--as shaped by land use practices--affects the global concentration of greenhouse gases. Second, while land use change is an important driver of climate change, a changing climate can lead to changes in land use and land cover. For example, farmers might shift from their customary crops to crops that will have higher economic...
Does the USGS monitor global warming?
Not specifically. Our charge is to understand characteristics of the Earth, especially the Earth's surface, that affect our Nation's land, water, and biological resources. That includes quite a bit of environmental monitoring. Other agencies, especially NOAA and NASA, are specifically funded to monitor global temperature and atmospheric phenomena such as ozone concentrations. The work through...
Global Land Cover Characteristics (GLCC) - South America Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0
Global Land Cover Characteristics (GLCC) - Eurasia Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0
Global Land Cover Characteristics (GLCC) - Eurasia Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0
Land change monitoring, assessment, and projection
Landsat eyes help guard the world's forests
The landscapes of West Africa—40 years of change
Consequences of land use and land cover change
Tracking change over time
Related Content
Where can I find land cover data for the U.S.?
Information on land cover data from the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) is on the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) website. The MRLC website serves several different vintages (dates) of the National Land Cover Database beginning with the 2001 data.
How do changes in climate and land use relate to one another?
The link between land use and the climate is complex. First, land cover--as shaped by land use practices--affects the global concentration of greenhouse gases. Second, while land use change is an important driver of climate change, a changing climate can lead to changes in land use and land cover. For example, farmers might shift from their customary crops to crops that will have higher economic...
Does the USGS monitor global warming?
Not specifically. Our charge is to understand characteristics of the Earth, especially the Earth's surface, that affect our Nation's land, water, and biological resources. That includes quite a bit of environmental monitoring. Other agencies, especially NOAA and NASA, are specifically funded to monitor global temperature and atmospheric phenomena such as ozone concentrations. The work through...
Global Land Cover Characteristics (GLCC) - South America Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0
Global Land Cover Characteristics (GLCC) - South America Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0
Global Land Cover Characteristics (GLCC) - Eurasia Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0
Global Land Cover Characteristics (GLCC) - Eurasia Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0