Land cover toolbox
Land cover mapping is a complex and multistage data processing and analysis system. It requires a set of tools from defining legend to assess the accuracy.
FAO has a set of software tools for supporting :
- legend generation
- data processing
- interpretation
- statistical analyses
The software package includes:
Tools for land cover and land use legend generation
The Land CHaracterization System (LCHS) software is an online latest tool, developed in 2023, that enables the guided classification of land cover features enforcing the updated Land Cover Meta–Language (LCML) standard in 2023, such as ISO 19144–2:2023. This tool contains all the functionality of the Land Cover Classification System version 3 (LCCSv3) with the addition of online functionality such as the integration of the FAO Land Cover Legend Registry (LCLR).
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A user-friendly tool, developed in 2010, with a graphical user interface that allows the classification of the land cover features in a comprehensive system, applying the LCML standard i.e., ISO 19144-2:2012. This enables the comparison and correlation of land cover classes regardless of mapping scale, land cover type, data collection method or geographical location.
Elements of a mangrove land cover are described using the LCML componen
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The legend is prepared using the LCHS Software
System for Earth Observation, Data Access, Processing & Analysis for Land Monitoring (SEPAL)
The System for Earth Observation, Data Access, Processing & Analysis for Land Monitoring (SEPAL) is a cloud computing–based platform for autonomous land monitoring using remotely sensed data. It is a combination of many open–source geospatial tools and libraries that are needed for land monitoring including modern geospatial data infrastructures like Google Earth Engine. It allows users to access and process satellite data quickly and efficiently for sophisticated data processing and analyses.
Collect Earth Online (CEO)
Collect Earth Online (CEO) is the next generation of web–based, crowd–sourced technology for earth science analyses. It allows users to collect reference data for land cover mapping using simultaneous visual interpretations of various sources of satellite images and big-data analysis through Google Earth Engine. Multiple users can simultaneously collect reference information with feature to perform quality control of the collected reference data.
Publications
Launch of the land characterization system (LCHS) software
04/08/2023
The development and adoption of land cover data standards are critical for supporting global efforts to address the challenges related to climate change, sustainable development, and disaster risk reduction. By...
Proceedings of the technical workshop Use of remote sensing and SEPAL platform in support to land, water and crop monitoring for sustainable agriculture in Arab countries
27/07/2023
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides technical support to countries and stakeholders to plan, implement and monitor land, water and crop resources. The Arab Organization...
Catalogue of Geospatial Tools and Applications for Climate Investments
10/02/2022
Climate change poses unprecedented challenges for humanity. Agriculture is one of the most affected sectors as heat waves, floods, droughts, storms, and other natural disasters affect millions of small producers...
Land Cover Classification System: Advanced Database Gateway
27/02/2016
The FAO Land Cover Classification System software is due to be released in its third version; with it come four supporting volumes. The third volume is a tutorial for the...
Land Cover Classification System - User Manual. Software version 3
26/02/2016
The FAO Land Cover Classification System software is due to be released in its third version; with it come four supporting volumes. The second volume is the User Manual, which...
News
Seminar on The SEPAL module 15.3.1. Towards monitoring land cover, land degradation and restoration options with in-country data
25/04/2024
In a significant step towards achieving a land degradation-neutral world, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has introduced...
Online Training Session on Visual Interpretation with Collect Earth Online for Land Cover Mapping in Yemen
18/04/2024
The online training session conducted on the 18 April, 2024 focused exclusively on enhancing the visual interpretation skills of our partners from the...
Virtual FAO internal meeting: Land CHaracterization System Software
21/02/2024
An internal introduction and demonstration of the Land Cover Characterisation Software System (version 2) was given to FAO colleagues by Fatima Mushtaq,...
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Technical training workshop on the use of land cover classification system in Yemen
20/11/2023
A three-day technical training workshop has been organized on the use of LCCS in Yemen from 20 to 22 November 2023. More than 20 experts participated...
The second virtual consultation for Land Characterization System Software (version 1.0)
04/10/2023
The Geospatial Unit in Land and Water Division at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations organized a virtual event to collect the...
Consultation on the new land characterization software development based on ISO 19144-2 standard (Land Cover Meta Language)
21/11/2022
An international consultation on the development of the new land characterization system software (LCHS) has been organized on 21 November 2022 by Food...
Using SEPAL platform for assessing and monitoring of land degradation and restoration activities in Guyana
04/03/2022
The Guyanese natural resources endowment is threatened by a progressive pattern of land degradation through inappropriate land use and management practices...
FAO CBDS supporting innovative capacity building on land cover classification
24/06/2019
The recent availability of new satellite optical and radar Earth Observation missions, coupled with the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI)...
FAO: Sharing and learning about latest trends in Earth Observation at the European Space Agency
16/11/2018
FAO’s Geospatial Unit took part in Earth Observation Week, organized by the European Space Agency (ESA). The event focused on Earth Observation (EO)...