U.S. Geological Survey
201901
NLCD 2013 Land Cover Conterminous United States
remote-sensing image
None
None
Sioux Falls, SD
U.S. Geological Survey
References: Yang, L., et al. (2018). "A new generation of the United States National Land Cover Database: Requirements, research priorities, design, and implementation strategies." ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 146: 108-123.
https://doi.org/10.5066/P937PN4Z
https://www.mrlc.gov/data
https://www.mrlc.gov/data-services-page
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with several federal agencies, has developed and released four National Land Cover Database (NLCD) products over the past two decades: NLCD 1992, 2001, 2006, and 2011. These products provide spatially explicit and reliable information on the Nation’s land cover and land cover change. To continue the legacy of NLCD and further establish a long-term monitoring capability for the Nation’s land resources, the USGS has designed a new generation of NLCD products named NLCD 2016. The NLCD 2016 design aims to provide innovative, consistent, and robust methodologies for production of a multi-temporal land cover and land cover change database from 2001 to 2016 at 2–3-year intervals. Comprehensive research was conducted and resulted in developed strategies for NLCD 2016: a streamlined process for assembling and preprocessing Landsat imagery and geospatial ancillary datasets; a multi-source integrated training data development and decision-tree based land cover classifications; a temporally, spectrally, and spatially integrated land cover change analysis strategy; a hierarchical theme-based post-classification and integration protocol for generating land cover and change products; a continuous fields biophysical parameters modeling method; and an automated scripted operational system for the NLCD 2016 production. The performance of the developed strategies and methods were tested in twenty World Reference System-2 path/row throughout the conterminous U.S. An overall agreement ranging from 71% to 97% between land cover classification and reference data was achieved for all tested area and all years. Results from this study confirm the robustness of this comprehensive and highly automated procedure for NLCD 2016 operational mapping. Questions about the NLCD 2016 land cover product can be directed to the NLCD 2016 land cover mapping team at USGS EROS, Sioux Falls, SD (605) 594-6151 or mrlc@usgs.gov. See included spatial metadata for more details.
The goal of this project is to provide the Nation with complete, current, and consistent public domain information on its land use and land cover.
Corner Coordinates (center of pixel, projection meters)
Upper Left Corner: -2493045 meters(X), 3310005 meters(Y)
Lower Right Corner: 2342655 meters(X), 177285 meters(Y)
2001
2016
ground condition
Every 2-3 years
-130.2328
-63.6722
52.8510
21.7423
ISO 19115 Topic Category
biota
biota
NGDA Portfolio Themes
NGDA
National Geospatial Data Asset
Land Use Land Cover Theme
None
Land cover
Image processing
GIS
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
digital spatial data
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1995, (Countries, dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and their principal administrative divisions, Federal Information Processing Standard 10-4): Washington, D.C., National Institute of Standards and Technology
United States
U.S.
US
None
None
None
None
U.S. Geological Survey
Customer Service Representative
mailing and physical address
47914 252nd Street
Sioux Falls
SD
57198-0001
USA
605/594-6151
custserv@usgs.gov
U.S. Geological Survey
None
Unclassified
N/A
Microsoft Windows 10; ESRI ArcCatalog 10.5.1
A formal accuracy assessment has not been conducted for NLCD 2016 Land Cover, NLCD 2016 Land Cover Change, or NLCD 2016 Impervious Surface products.
Unknown
This document and the described land cover map are considered "provisional" until a formal accuracy assessment is completed. The U.S. Geological Survey can make no guarantee as to the accuracy or completeness of this information, and it is provided with the understanding that it is not guaranteed to be correct or complete. Conclusions drawn from this information are the responsibility of the user.
The NLCD 2016 final seamless products include: 1) NLCD 2016 Land Cover; 2) NLCD 2016 Impervious Surface; 3) NLCD 2016 Land Cover Change Index.
This NLCD product is the version dated January, 2019.
N/A
N/A
NLCD 2016 Land Cover Process Step National Land Cover Database (NLCD) land cover data is fundamentally based on the analysis of Landsat data. Approximately 3,608 Landsat scenes are required for NLCD 2016 (this total does not include additional scenes needed for cloud/shadow fill). Using automated scripts, Landsat scenes were selected for seven target years: 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013, and 2016. All scenes with cloud cover less than 20 percent were downloaded and one cloud-free, leaf-on image was selected for each path/row in each year. In addition, one leaf-off image was added for 2016 only. If no cloud-free images were available for the target year, then an alternate cloud-free image was selected either one year before or one year after the target. If there was still significant cloud cover, then up to three fill images were selected and applied in a process to remove clouds, cloud shadow, smoke, or other artifacts. Other input datasets include: NLCD 2001, 2006, and 2011; 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) digital elevation data; Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) land cover; Cropland Data Layer (CDL); National Wetlands Inventory (NWI); Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database; and State Soil Geographic (STATSGO2) Database. SSURGO (with STATSGO2 to fill in gaps) was the basis for a hydric soils data layer used in training data assembly. NLCD 2016 is produced by modeling land cover change over seven intervals between 2001 and 2016, with consistent change trajectories built into the process. The first set of models in this process are for multi-spectral change detection. The Multi-Index Integrated Change Analysis (MIICA) model outputs a change map between two dates of imagery. Five spectral indices are also calculated, and a disturbance map is produced by the Vegetation Change Tracker (VCT) software. The MIICA outputs, the five spectral indices, and the 1986 to 2016 disturbance map are the inputs to the training dataset assembly stage. A set of models was developed to assemble a training dataset for each land cover class for each of the seven target years. The training dataset models were built with Landsat images and derived indices, spectral change products, trajectory analysis, and ancillary data: NLCD 2001, 2006, and 2011; C-CAP land cover; CDL; NWI; a cultivated cropland 2008 to 2016 dataset; and a hydric soils dataset. Image segmentation was performed on the Landsat scenes, and the resulting image objects were used to mitigate noise in the training data. The final output of this stage is training data for each of the seven target years, for input into the initial land cover classification stage. For each of the seven target years of Landsat data, two percent of all available training data per path/row was drawn from the data as training samples, and one percent was drawn as validation samples. The C5 decision tree classification software was run on the training samples to generate a set of rules, and the decision rules were applied to generate a land cover classification for each of the seven target years. The C5 software was run with four sets of independent variables: the 1986 to 2016 disturbance year data derived from VCT; the set of Landsat images; compactness indices from image segmentation; and a DEM and its derivatives. The classifier was run twice, once with all land cover classes processed and the 1986 to 2016 disturbance year data included, and again with two classes - Urban and Water - omitted from the classification and the disturbance year data not included in processing. The two classifications were integrated with ancillary data and the segmentation polygons to produce seven initial land cover maps. A post-classification refinement process was developed to correct classification errors in each target year, check for consistency of land cover labels over time, and improve spatial coherence of land cover distribution. Refinement was conducted class-by-class in hierarchical order: (1) Water, (2) Wetlands, (3) Forest and forest transition, (4) Permanent snow, (5) Agricultural lands, and (6) Persistent shrubland and herbaceous. Models were developed for refinement of each class and each type of confusion. For example, confusion between coniferous forest and water, both spectrally "dark" could be corrected by reclassifying water to coniferous forest where slope was greater than 2 percent. Confusion between forest and cropland could be mitigated with CDL data, and so forth. The final integration step resolved class label issues pertinent to local environments (such as coastal areas), and, for land cover classes other than Water and Developed, ensured that all pixels in a segmentation object were in the same class. Pixel-based and object-based land cover labels were checked for differences, which were reconciled by a rule-based model. Water and Developed classes kept pixel values intact even in areas that were smaller than segmentation objects. Change trajectories for each class were checked for consistency through the seven target years.
Landsat ETM, Landsat TM, DEM, USGS/EROS
2016
USGS National Land Cover Database
Raster
Grid Cell
104424
161190
1
Albers Conical Equal Area
29.5
45.5
-96.0
23.0
0.0
0.0
row and column
30.0
30.0
meters
WGS_1984
WGS 84
6378137.0
298.257223563
None
NLCD Land Cover Layer
National Land Cover Database
ObjectID
Internal feature number
ESRI
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Count
A nominal integer value that designates the number of pixels that have each value in the file; histogram column in ERDAS Imagine raster attributes table
ESRI
Integer
ValueLand Cover Class Code Value.NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
11
Open Water - All areas of open water, generally with less than 25% cover or vegetation or soil
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
12
Perennial Ice/Snow - All areas characterized by a perennial cover of ice and/or snow, generally greater than 25% of total cover.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
21
Developed, Open Space - Includes areas with a mixture of some constructed materials, but mostly vegetation in the form of lawn grasses. Impervious surfaces account for less than 20 percent of total cover. These areas most commonly include large-lot single-family housing units, parks, golf courses, and vegetation planted in developed settings for recreation, erosion control, or aesthetic purposes.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
22
Developed, Low Intensity -Includes areas with a mixture of constructed materials and vegetation. Impervious surfaces account for 20-49 percent of total cover. These areas most commonly include single-family housing units.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
23
Developed, Medium Intensity - Includes areas with a mixture of constructed materials and vegetation. Impervious surfaces account for 50-79 percent of the total cover. These areas most commonly include single-family housing units.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
24
Developed, High Intensity - Includes highly developed areas where people reside or work in high numbers. Examples include apartment complexes, row houses and commercial/industrial. Impervious surfaces account for 80 to 100 percent of the total cover.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
31
Barren Land (Rock/Sand/Clay) - Barren areas of bedrock, desert pavement, scarps, talus, slides, volcanic material, glacial debris, sand dunes, strip mines, gravel pits and other accumulations of earthen material. Generally, vegetation accounts for less than 15% of total cover.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
41
Deciduous Forest - Areas dominated by trees generally greater than 5 meters tall, and greater than 20% of total vegetation cover. More than 75 percent of the tree species shed foliage simultaneously in response to seasonal change.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
42
Evergreen Forest - Areas dominated by trees generally greater than 5 meters tall, and greater than 20% of total vegetation cover. More than 75 percent of the tree species maintain their leaves all year. Canopy is never without green foliage.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
43
Mixed Forest - Areas dominated by trees generally greater than 5 meters tall, and greater than 20% of total vegetation cover. Neither deciduous nor evergreen species are greater than 75 percent of total tree cover.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
51
Dwarf Scrub - Alaska only areas dominated by shrubs less than 20 centimeters tall with shrub canopy typically greater than 20% of total vegetation. This type is often co-associated with grasses, sedges, herbs, and non-vascular vegetation.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
52
Shrub/Scrub - Areas dominated by shrubs; less than 5 meters tall with shrub canopy typically greater than 20% of total vegetation. This class includes true shrubs, young trees in an early successional stage or trees stunted from environmental conditions.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
71
Grassland/Herbaceous - Areas dominated by grammanoid or herbaceous vegetation, generally greater than 80% of total vegetation. These areas are not subject to intensive management such as tilling, but can be utilized for grazing.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
72
Sedge/Herbaceous - Alaska only areas dominated by sedges and forbs, generally greater than 80% of total vegetation. This type can occur with significant other grasses or other grass like plants, and includes sedge tundra, and sedge tussock tundra.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
73
Lichens - Alaska only areas dominated by fruticose or foliose lichens generally greater than 80% of total vegetation.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
74
Moss - Alaska only areas dominated by mosses, generally greater than 80% of total vegetation.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
81
Pasture/Hay - Areas of grasses, legumes, or grass-legume mixtures planted for livestock grazing or the production of seed or hay crops, typically on a perennial cycle. Pasture/hay vegetation accounts for greater than 20 percent of total vegetation.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
82
Cultivated Crops - Areas used for the production of annual crops, such as corn, soybeans, vegetables, tobacco, and cotton, and also perennial woody crops such as orchards and vineyards. Crop vegetation accounts for greater than 20 percent of total vegetation. This class also includes all land being actively tilled.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
90
Woody Wetlands - Areas where forest or shrub land vegetation accounts for greater than 20 percent of vegetative cover and the soil or substrate is periodically saturated with or covered with water.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
95
Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands - Areas where perennial herbaceous vegetation accounts for greater than 80 percent of vegetative cover and the soil or substrate is periodically saturated with or covered with water.
NLCD Legend Land Cover Class Descriptions
Red
Red color code for RGB. The value is arbitrarily assigned by the display software package, unless defined by user.
NLCD
0
100
Percentage
0.1
Green
Green color code for RGB. The value is arbitrarily assigned by the display software package, unless defined by user.
NLCD
0
100
Percentage
0.1
Blue
Blue color code for RGB. The value is arbitrarily assigned by the display software package, unless defined by user.
NLCD
0
100
Percentage
0.1
Opacity
A measure of how opaque, or solid, a color is displayed in a layer.
NLCD
0
100
Percentage
0.1
Land Cover Class RGB Color Value Table
Attributes defined by USGS and ESRI.
Value Red Green Blue
0 0.00000000000 0.00000000000 0.00000000000
11 0.27843137255 0.41960784314 0.62745098039
12 0.81960784314 0.86666666667 0.97647058824
21 0.86666666667 0.78823529412 0.78823529412
22 0.84705882353 0.57647058824 0.50980392157
23 0.92941176471 0.00000000000 0.00000000000
24 0.66666666667 0.00000000000 0.00000000000
31 0.69803921569 0.67843137255 0.63921568628
41 0.40784313726 0.66666666667 0.38823529412
42 0.10980392157 0.38823529412 0.18823529412
43 0.70980392157 0.78823529412 0.55686274510
51 0.64705882353 0.54901960784 0.18823529412
52 0.80000000000 0.72941176471 0.48627450980
71 0.88627450980 0.88627450980 0.75686274510
72 0.78823529412 0.78823529412 0.46666666667
73 0.60000000000 0.75686274510 0.27843137255
74 0.46666666667 0.67843137255 0.57647058824
81 0.85882352941 0.84705882353 0.23921568628
82 0.66666666667 0.43921568628 0.15686274510
90 0.72941176471 0.84705882353 0.91764705882
95 0.43921568628 0.63921568628 0.72941176471
U.S. Geological Survey
Customer Service Representative
mailing and physical address
47914 252nd Street
Sioux Falls
SD
57198-0001
USA
605/594-6151
custserv@usgs.gov
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the USGS, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the USGS regarding the use of the data on any other system, nor does the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Data may have been compiled from various outside sources. Spatial information may not meet National Map Accuracy Standards. This information may be updated without notification. The USGS shall not be liable for any activity involving these data, installation, fitness of the data for a particular purpose, its use, or analyses results.
ERDAS
Imagine 2016
.img
1012.0
https://www.mrlc.gov
None
ESRI ArcMap Suite and/or Arc/Info software, and supporting operating systems.
20181203
U.S. Geological Survey
Customer Services Representative
mailing and physical address
47914 252nd Street
Sioux Falls
SD
57198-0001
USA
605/594-6151
605/594-6589
custserv@usgs.gov
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC-STD-001-1998
local time