::Identification info
 

Title Global Land Cover 2000 (IES)
Date 2000-12-31 (publication)
Presentation form Map Digital
Language en
Character set Utf8
Abstract The Global Land Cover 2000 Map is based on global land classifications produced by the Institute for Environment and Sustainability’s (IES) Global Vegetation Monitoring Unit, part of the Joint Research Committee (JRC), a service arm of the European Commission. Map data was converted for use in TerraViva!® global data-viewing software by ISCIENCES, L.L.C., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. The map illustrates the distribution of surface materials or “land cover” over the entire globe. This map helps to show the major ecological systems that exist such as forests, grasslands, and cultivated areas. By exploring this map, you can understand the expanse of each of these ecosystems since the colors defining each area are easily distinguishable from each other. The Global Land Cover 2000 Map was published in geographic projection at 30 arc-seconds resolution, and so was losslessly compressed to the high resolution TerraViva!® map layer. Lower resolution map layers were then derived from this layer to enable quicker data access when viewing the entire world. Two color tables were then attached to the map, one duplicating the colors of the original source image, and one similar to color schemes used for other TerraViva landcover maps (derived from MODIS and AVHRR sensors) to allow easier visual comparisons among the various maps. The Global Land Cover 2000 Map comes from the global land classifications produced by the Institute for Environment and Sustainability’s (IES) Global Vegetation Monitoring Unit. The IES is part of the Joint Research Committee (JRC) and their goal is to offer support, both technological and scientific, to the European Union as they propose ways to protect the environment. Along with Global Land Cover 2000 (GLC 2000) database, the IES hosts several other databases including the WMO World Data Center for Aerosols and the European Soil Database. GLC 2000 database, which was used to create the Global Land Cover 2000 Map, was the first of its kind to depict the entire planet with its complete land cover using a 1km resolution. GLC 2000 was chosen as part of the information set for the Millennium Ecosystems Assessment.
Supplemental Information The downloadable file contains a 30 arc second, a 2 arc minute, and a 5 arc minute map. System Requirement: To use the downloadable data file (*.xtvm) you must have TerraViva!® Global Data Viewer or TerraViva!® Global Data Analyst software installed. To obtain a free copy of TerraViva!® Global Data Viewer visit www.terraviva.net.
Purpose The Global Land Cover 2000 Map comes from the global land classifications produced by the Institute for Environment and Sustainability’s (IES) Global Vegetation Monitoring Unit. The IES is part of the Joint Research Committee (JRC) and their goal is to offer support, both technological and scientific, to the European Union as they propose ways to protect the environment. Along with Global Land Cover 2000 (GLC 2000) database, the IES hosts several other databases including the WMO World Data Center for Aerosols and the European Soil Database. GLC 2000 database, which was used to create the Global Land Cover 2000 Map, was the first of its kind to depict the entire planet with its complete land cover using a 1km resolution. The findings included in GLC 2000 are so accurate that it was chosen as part of the information set for the Millennium Ecosystems Assessment. The goal of creating GLC 2000 database was to provide a collection of information on land cover to the International Conventions on Climate Change, the Convention to Combat Desertification, the Ramsar Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. Since 2000 was considered a reference year for the assessment of the environment, the GLC 2000 database was designed to give a detailed and up-to-date portrayal of the land cover found over the entire globe. In doing this, it also helped to define the boundaries between different ecosystems. The IES lead a group compiled of over 30 research teams in order to create this massive database. In order for an accurate picture of the earth’s surface to be established, several different regions were first defined, and then mapped by local experts. This allowed for the classification to be based on local knowledge, implying greater accuracy. Assisting each of the research teams was a dataset known as VEGA2000. VEGA2000 is a remote sensing program that allowed for vegetation to be viewed daily at both the regional and global levels. The regional groups were provided with data that had been collected over a 14-month time span, from 1 Nov. 1999 to 31 Dec. 2000. The data included daily 1-km resolution satellite images obtained through the use of an instrument known as VEGETATION, which was on-board the SPOT 4 satellite. VEGETATION was capable of supplying a multi-channel daily mosaic to researchers. The information researchers obtained from this satellite contained global mosaics at a 1km resolution. Furthermore, in hopes of creating a legend that could be standard for the entire globe, yet specific enough to accurately define each region, the Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) was employed. FAO and UNEP, two groups established by the United Nations, designed this hierarchical system.
Status Completed
Topic category Environment
Descriptive keywords Global, Land Cover, 2000 TerraViva, IES, JRC, GLC, GLC 2000, vegetation, 2000 (theme).
Descriptive keywords World (place).
Spatial representation type Grid
::Equivalent scale
 
Denominator 3,500,000
 
::Geographic box
 
North bound latitude
90
West bound longitude
-180
East bound longitude
180
South bound latitude
-90
 
::Extent
 
Begin date 
End date 
 
Access constraints 
Use constraints 
Other constraints CONSTRAINTS: "Parts or all of the dataset can be freely downloaded for further use in scientific applications under the condition that the source will be properly quoted in published papers or journals. Appropriate reference for the data is provided for the whole database and for each individual component (e.g. regional maps) in a text file accompanying each product on the products download page. Reproduction of part or the totality of the database for non commercial distribution, i. a. via the Internet, is authorised, provided that the user obtains written permission from the GLC2000 project and ensures proper referencing of the source (see above), including the establishment of at least one link to the original web page in case of reproduction in a web site. Whenever the digital database will be used for commercial purposes, a commercial license must be requested to the GLC2000 project of the JRC." CITATIONS: "Global Land Cover 2000 database. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, 2003. http://gem.jrc.ec.europa.eu/products/glc2000/glc2000.php"; "BARTHOLOME, E. M. and BELWARD A. S., 2005, GLC2000; a new approach to global land cover mapping from Earth Observation data, International Journal of Remote Sensing, *26*, 1959 - 1977". [Constraints as stated in "Data Access and Redistribution" at http://www-gvm.jrc.it/glc2000/Products/disclaimer.htm.]
Maintenance and update frequency As Needed
::Point of contact
 
Individual name Alan S. Belward
Organisation name Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Institute for Environment and Sustainability
Position name Unit Head, Global Environment Monitoring Unit
Role Originator
Voice ++39-0332-789298
Delivery point Via E. Fermi 2749
Administrative area I-21027 Ispra (VA)
Country Italy
Electronic mail address alan.belward(at)jrc.it
 
 
::Distribution info
 
OnLine resource http://bioval.jrc.ec.europa.eu/products/glc2000/products.php
Data for download Map: Global Land Cover (IES) 2000
Interactive Map Map Viewer
 
::Reference system info
 
Code WGS 1984
 
::Data quality info
 
Hierarchy level Dataset
Statement The Global Land Cover 2000 Map is based on global land classifications produced by the Institute for Environment and Sustainability’s (IES) Global Vegetation Monitoring Unit, part of the Joint Research Committee (JRC), a service arm of the European Commission.
 
::Metadata
 
File identifier 9e9e8450-cb28-11da-8a09-0013720f00b3
Language en
Character set Utf8
Date stamp 2009-09-04T09:24:36
Metadata standard name ISO 19115
Metadata standard version FDIS
::Metadata author
 
Individual name Caitlin Cicone
Organisation name ISCIENCES, L.L.C.
Role Point Of Contact
Voice 734-214-9810
Facsimile 734-214-9813
Delivery point 2155 Jackson Avenue
City Ann Arbor
Administrative area Michigan
Postal code 48103
Country USA
Electronic mail address info@isciences.com