Data

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Use the interface on the left to filter and download available NLCD products. Access the MRLC NLCD viewer or the MRLC Rangeland viewer for more dynamic data selection. Note: the current version of Annual NLCD offered here is Collection 1 Version 1 (1.1). This is the only version made available on www.mrlc.gov. For access to full archive of Annual NLCD, please visit the ScienceBase page.

Annual NLCD image of CONUS showing Validation Points

Annual NLCD Reference Data and Validation Metrics Now Available on MRLC

Published Sep 24, 2025

The U.S. Geological Survey has added a new outlet for Reference and Validation (R&V) data for Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Conterminous U.S. (CU), Collection 1.0. In addition to availability on the USGS ScienceBase-Catalog, the R&V data are now hosted right here on MRLC.gov.
These R&V data provide Annual NLCD users with a statistical accuracy assessment of the land cover products, as well as the source reference data. This information helps users understand the accuracy of Annual NLCD and supports better decisions in research, land use planning, and resource management.

Review Products

Map of eastern CONUS with Ecological Potential data

RCMAP Ecological Potential Data Now Available

Published Jul 28, 2025

A new generation of RCMAP Ecological Potential (EP) vegetation cover components are now available. Rangelands have immense inherent spatial and temporal variability, yet assessments of land condition and trends are often assessed relative to the condition of a limited number of representative points or in some cases reference data for comparison is lacking. Understanding of the potential vegetation conditions of a site in an undisturbed state is invaluable for interpreting trends, disturbance impact, and restoration targets. EP was defined as the potential fractional cover of components (bare ground, herbaceous, litter, shrub, sagebrush, and tree) in the least disturbed and most productive spaces and times of western North America since 1985. This dataset enables: 1) setting realistic expectations for restoration and management targets, 2) better understanding of the extent of vegetation departure from potential and 3) improved spatial understanding of vegetation composition and productivity variation.

View Datasets

Annual NLCD image of CONUS showing land features

Annual NLCD CONUS Collection 1.1 Now Available

Published Jun 25, 2025

Land Cover Characteristics in a Suite of Six Products

Annual NLCD CU C1.1 adds 2024 to the established suite of six raster-based land use and land cover science products for the conterminous United States. It now covers the period between 1985 and 2024:

1. Land Cover
2. Land Cover Change
3. Land Cover Confidence
4. Fractional Impervious Surface
5. Impervious Descriptor
6. Spectral Change Day of Year

Review Products

Bare Ground Departure

Litter Departure

Perennial Herbaceous Departure

Sagebrush Departure

Shrub Departure

Tree Departure

Vegetation State

Vegetation State

Ecological Potential Vegetation State

Ecological Potential Tree Cover

Ecological Potential Shrub Cover

Ecological Potential Sagebrush Cover

Ecological Potential Perennial Herbaceous Cover

Ecological Potential Litter Cover

Ecological Potential Bare Ground Cover

Annual NLCD Reference Data and Validation Metrics Now Available on MRLC

RCMAP Ecological Potential Data Now Available

Annual NLCD CONUS Collection 1.1 Now Available