Dynamic Land Cover Dataset Version 2.1

Brief description

The Dynamic Land Cover Dataset Version 2 is a suite of land cover information products from Geoscience Australia (GA). These information products deliver International Standards Organisation (ISO) compliant land cover maps across the Australian landmass. The datasets provide a consistent series of maps that show how Australian land cover is changing over time. The current version consists of 14 maps each based on 2 years of MODIS data. The 14 maps cover the period from January 2001 - December 2015.

The Dynamic Land Cover Dataset uses a standard land cover classification to show the change in behaviour of land cover across Australia. The DLCD includes data for every 250m by 250m area on the ground, for the period 2001 to 2015. The DLDC provides a basis for reporting on change and trends in vegetation cover and extent. Information about land cover dynamics is essential to understanding and addressing a range of national challenges such as drought, salinity, water availability and ecosystem health.

The current release of the second version DLCDv2.1 presents land cover information for every 250m by 250m area of the country for each of the two year intervals listed in the table below. It consists of maps based on 2 years of MODIS EVI time-series data. The date ranges for each of the map series are:
• January 2001-December 2002
• January 2002-December 2003
• January 2003-December 2004
• January 2004-December 2005
• January 2005-December 2006
• January 2006-December 2007
• January 2007-December 2008
• January 2008-December 2009
• January 2009-December 2010
• January 2010-December 2011
• January 2011-December 2012
• January 2012-December 2013
• January 2013-December 2014
• January 2014-December 2015
DLCD can be used as an input for a wide range of environmental modelling applications, including:
• Climate
• Wind and water erosion risk
• Evapotranspiration
• Carbon dynamics
• Land surface processes
In conjunction with other data sources, the DLCD can be used to identify emerging patterns of land cover change and provide a spatial and historical context within which to interpret change.
The land cover classification scheme used conforms to the 2007 International Standards Organisation (ISO) land cover standard (19144-2). The dataset shows Australian land covers clustered into 22 classes. These reflect the structural character of vegetation, ranging from cultivated and managed land covers (crops and pastures) to natural land covers such as trees and grasslands.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: irregular

Statement: Not supplied