LCMAP Land Cover Classification and Land Cover Change Metrics, 1985-2016 Based on the LCMAP Reference Data Set
Abstract
Estimates of annual land cover class and land cover change were derived from the U.S. Geological Survey's Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP) reference data set. The reference interpretations were obtained independently of the map classification. The reference data will be used for area estimation and validation of the LCMAP annual land cover products. Land cover and land cover change estimates were made using these 25,000 plots that were randomly selected across the conterminous U.S. (CONUS). The net land cover class change, 1985-2016 results were; Developed land increased by 1.7%, Cropland decreased by 1.2%, Tree Cover decreased 0.6%, Water decreased 0.1%, and Grass/Shrub, Wetland, Ice/Snow and Barren classes did not change. Annual rate of land cover class change declined after 2003. The top 2 leading class changes,1985-2016, were Grass/Shrub to Tree Cover, and Tree Cover to Grass/Shrub, with an estimated 354,000 km2 and 350,000 km2 respectively. It is possible for classification changes to occur on the same plot more than once over time. The next two leading changes were Cropland to Grass/Shrub and Grass/Shrub to Cropland, with an estimated 196,000 and 140,000 km2 respectively. There were an estimated 149,900 km2 that changed to developed, 1985-2016, with most of this change before 2006. When the reference data set is divided into 4 regions (West, Great Plains, Midwest-South Central, and East) variations in the amount and type of change were seen. The East had the greatest amount of change and the West had the least. In the East, conversions between Tree cover and Grass/Shrub far exceeded all other changes and most Developed land came from Tree cover. In the West, most developed land came from Grass/Shrub. In the Great Plains, conversions between Grass/Shrub and Cropland exceeded all other changes. Cropland converting to Grass/Shrub was high between 1988 and 1990. After 2008 there was a sustained gain in cropland.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.B11I2296T
- Keywords:
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- 0416 Biogeophysics;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 0426 Biosphere/atmosphere interactions;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 1632 Land cover change;
- GLOBAL CHANGE;
- 1640 Remote sensing;
- GLOBAL CHANGE