BOREAS DSP-09: Moss Cover Classification Maps at 1km, 30m, and 10m Scales

1994 data from the BOREAS follow-on project provides multi-scale maps of surface moss type for the Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study region. The dataset includes three spatial resolutions: a 1 km map for a 619 by 821 km regional subset, a 30 m map for the Southern Study Area, and a 10 m map for the NSA Old Black Spruce tower site. Maps were derived by associating moss cover with land cover types using Landsat TM, AVHRR, ground measurements, soils maps, and field observations.

Use Cases

• Modeling carbon and water fluxes in boreal forests based on moss cover distribution.
• Validating coarse-resolution land cover products using higher-resolution (10m, 30m) moss maps.
• Studying the association between moss type and broader land cover classifications derived from satellite imagery.
• Analyzing spatial heterogeneity of ground cover at the tower site scale (10m).

Strengths

• Provides multi-scale geospatial data (1km, 30m, 10m) for cross-resolution analysis.
• Based on integrated data sources including satellite imagery (Landsat TM, AVHRR) and ground observations.
• Covers a defined 619 by 821 km region within the BOREAS study area.

Limitations

• Metadata conflicts on last update date (1994-12 31 vs. 2026-03-13), suggesting possible metadata errors.
• Specific column names and row counts are unknown, limiting precise understanding of data structure.
• The regional 1 km map is described as largely inferential, potentially reducing its ground-truth accuracy.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), BOREAS follow-on group DSP-9.

Collection Method

Mapping via observed associations between moss cover and land cover type, utilizing satellite-derived land cover, ground measurements, soils maps, and field observations.

Time Range

1994

Freshness

1994-12-31 23:59:59.999000

Geography

BOREAS region, specifically a 619 by 821 km subset; detailed coverage for Northern (NSA) and Southern (SSA) Study Areas.