MODIS MCD12Q1: Global Land Cover Types at 500m Resolution, 2001-2022

Yearly intervals from 2001 to 2022 provide global land cover types at 500m resolution. The data product is derived from supervised classifications of combined MODIS Terra and Aqua satellite reflectance data by NASA. It includes multiple classification schemes and property assessment layers, delivered in HDF4 format.

Use Cases

• Modeling land cover change over time based on the yearly global intervals from 2001-2022
• Classifying biomes and plant functional types based on the IGBP, UMD, LAI, BIOME-BGC, and PFT schemes mentioned
• Assessing surface hydrology and land use based on the FAO Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) layers provided

Strengths

• Covers 22 years of global data from 2001 to 2022
• Provides land cover data under five distinct classification schemes (IGBP, UMD, LAI, BIOME-BGC, PFT)
• Includes multiple assessment layers such as Land Cover Type, Property, Quality Control, and a Land Water Mask

Limitations

• The science team notes potential data quality issues for years 2021 and beyond due to outdated training samples
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived using supervised classifications of MODIS Terra and Aqua reflectance data.

Time Range

2001-2022

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:37:06.504942

Geography

Global