Land cover

"Indicates the physical land type such as forest or open water whereas land use documents how people are using the land. Land cover can be determined by analyzing satellite and aerial imagery. Land use cannot be determined from satellite imagery. Land cover maps provide information to help managers best understand the current landscape. To see change over time, land cover maps for several different years are needed. With this information, managers can evaluate past management decisions as well as gain insight into the possible effects of their current decisions before they are implemented." (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2019)

Sources

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). What is the difference between land cover and land use? Accessed March 13, 2019. Available at: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lclu.html

Related Content

Article

Interview with Verónica De Souza, Space Application Director, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE)

Interview with Verónica De Souza, Space Application Director, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE)

Photo of Veronica De Souza at her desk in ABAE
My name is Verónica De Souza. I have a degree in Physics with a minor in Geophysics and a Master's degree in Ocean, Atmosphere, and Continental Surface Science. I worked for 13 years at the Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), the last three years in the Space Applications Directorate, focusing primarily on the processing and use of satellite data, especially from Venezuela's VRSS-1/2 satellites. Recently, ABAE has been participating in an inter-institutional committee on the management and sustainability of the country's watersheds. This has led to a growing interest in collecting more up-to-date information on these areas, thereby improving public policies in this regard.
Read More

Interview with Sawaid Abbas, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Geographical Information, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Interview with Sawaid Abbas, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Geographical Information, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

measurement in lake
Sawaid Abbas, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Geographical Information System, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan discussed his extensive work in addressing water-related challenges through the nexus between smart sensing and space technologies. His thematic focus spans water scarcity, food security, climate risks, and environmental monitoring with an emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region, including Pakistan and China. Key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guiding his work include SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG15 (Life on Land), and SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).  Abbas's passion for water emerged during his early career at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), where he was involved in Pakistan’s Wetland Program and witnessed the impact of water on associated ecosystems. This sparked his interest in understanding and managing water, forestry, and wildlife resources. He recently studied coastal ecosystems and their responses to climate and anthropogenic stressors in the Asia-Pacific region. The Living Indus – Investing in Ecological Restoration has become a new focus of interest for him, addressing sustainability challenges related to food security, river basin management, and efficient water use in alignment with the UN Decade of Ocean objectives.  Abbas shared his fascination with water, recognizing its complex and essential nature. He is captivated by its beauty in all forms and acknowledges its fundamental importance for life on Earth. This water connection further motivates his commitment to addressing global water challenges and promoting sustainable water use through innovative solutions.  Sawaid Abbas's work, stimulated by both professional commitment and personal fascination, stresses the critical role of space technologies, particularly earth observation, smart sensing nexus, and artificial intelligence in addressing water-related challenges. His research contributes to the development of innovative solutions for sustainable water use, environmental protection, and disaster response, aligning with global goals for a more resilient and water-secure future. 
Read More

Wetlands conservation: How satellite observation supports sustainable wetland management

Conservación de humedales: cómo la observación por satélite apoya la gestión sostenible de los humedales

Monitoring river delta using remote sensing

Monitoring river delta using remote sensing

A picture of the river delta

Since ancient times, people have established communities in river deltas because it provides water, fertile land, and transportation access, making them an ideal place to live. This pattern has been carried forward to the present. With nearly 6 billion people living in river deltas, they are one of the most densely populated places on Earth (Kuenzer and Renaud, 2011). However, they are facing threats such as climate change, sea level rise, land use changes, and ecosystem degradation.

Read More

基于卫星遥感的河流三角洲监测

基于卫星遥感的河流三角洲监测

A picture of the river delta

Translated by Dr. Mengyi Jin

自古以来，河流三角洲因水资源丰富、土壤肥沃及交通便利而成为人类聚居的重要区域。这一格局延续至今。目前，生活在三角洲地区的人口已接近 60 亿，使其成为全球人口最稠密的地区之一（Kuenzer and Renaud 2011）。然而，这些三角洲地区正面临着气候变化、海平面上升、土地利用方式转变以及生态系统退化等威胁。遥感技术在获取环境状况及其时序变化方面具有显著优势，其在识别灾害前兆信号、预测自然现象演变等方面发挥着关键作用。在三角洲地区，遥感已被广泛应用于海岸线变化监测、洪水监测与预测等领域（Merkuryeva et al. 2015；Li and Damen 2010）。持续开展三角洲监测不仅有助于维护其生态功能，还能及时识别潜在风险，并为科学管理提供重要依据，而遥感正是实现这一目标的关键技术。

Read More

Monitoring runoff using Earth observation data

Monitoring runoff using Earth observation data

Runoff map using remote sensing technologies

When rain falls on Earth, the water starts moving and flowing downhill through sewers and rivers as runoff. Runoff is extremely important to recharge surface water bodies and groundwater. Furthermore, runoff changes the landscape by action of erosion. It is an integral part of the water cycle (Earth Science Data Systems 2021). 

Read More

Monitoreando la escorrentía mediante datos de observación de la Tierra

Interview with Sawaid Abbas, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Geographical Information, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Interview with Sawaid Abbas, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Geographical Information, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

measurement in lake
Sawaid Abbas, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Geographical Information System, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan discussed his extensive work in addressing water-related challenges through the nexus between smart sensing and space technologies. His thematic focus spans water scarcity, food security, climate risks, and environmental monitoring with an emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region, including Pakistan and China. Key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guiding his work include SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG15 (Life on Land), and SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).  Abbas's passion for water emerged during his early career at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), where he was involved in Pakistan’s Wetland Program and witnessed the impact of water on associated ecosystems. This sparked his interest in understanding and managing water, forestry, and wildlife resources. He recently studied coastal ecosystems and their responses to climate and anthropogenic stressors in the Asia-Pacific region. The Living Indus – Investing in Ecological Restoration has become a new focus of interest for him, addressing sustainability challenges related to food security, river basin management, and efficient water use in alignment with the UN Decade of Ocean objectives.  Abbas shared his fascination with water, recognizing its complex and essential nature. He is captivated by its beauty in all forms and acknowledges its fundamental importance for life on Earth. This water connection further motivates his commitment to addressing global water challenges and promoting sustainable water use through innovative solutions.  Sawaid Abbas's work, stimulated by both professional commitment and personal fascination, stresses the critical role of space technologies, particularly earth observation, smart sensing nexus, and artificial intelligence in addressing water-related challenges. His research contributes to the development of innovative solutions for sustainable water use, environmental protection, and disaster response, aligning with global goals for a more resilient and water-secure future. 
Read More

Interview with Verónica De Souza, Space Application Director, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE)

Interview with Verónica De Souza, Space Application Director, Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE)

Photo of Veronica De Souza at her desk in ABAE
My name is Verónica De Souza. I have a degree in Physics with a minor in Geophysics and a Master's degree in Ocean, Atmosphere, and Continental Surface Science. I worked for 13 years at the Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), the last three years in the Space Applications Directorate, focusing primarily on the processing and use of satellite data, especially from Venezuela's VRSS-1/2 satellites. Recently, ABAE has been participating in an inter-institutional committee on the management and sustainability of the country's watersheds. This has led to a growing interest in collecting more up-to-date information on these areas, thereby improving public policies in this regard.
Read More

Launch of Zimbabwe's first Satellite ZIMSAT - 1

Launch of Zimbabwe's first Satellite ZIMSAT - 1

Water Quality Assessment of ZIMSAT-1

What began as the development of a cubesat (BIRD-5) at the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan took off on a spacecraft to the International Space Station from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, US on 6 November 2022 (watch the video of the launch of the CRS2 NG-18 (Cygnus) Mission (Antares), in the video below the article).

Read More

Event

World Climate Research Programme Open Science Conference 2023

43rd International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium 2023

Open-Earth-Monitor Global Workshop 2023

13th ESA Training Course on Earth Observation

International Conference on Earth Observation and Geo-spatial Information 2023

9th International Conference on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of Environment (RSCy2023)

2022 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium - IGARSS 2022

Open Earth Monitor - Global Workshop 2025

2025 Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) General Assembly

Local Perspectives Case Studies

Lacking historic knowledge on vegetation cover and surface water extent / river course

Lacking historic knowledge on vegetation cover and surface water extent / river course

Long view of Ngakoahia Stream and surrounding vegetation
The Māori community has Ngakoaohia River running through the customary lands and currently there are no records or knowledge of the river, so the community is not able to use it for any particular function. There is lack of understanding historical land use and land cover surrounding the river. Historical data is essential for understanding where things were planted or where was vegetation in order to be able to decide what plant are suitable for our location. So, the planting will help with the land, stabilising the riverbanks and help with plant life as well. We must work in unity with our environment, so historical data will help not to make ill informed decisions that will be detrimental to the environment.
Read More

The effects of land use and land cover changes on water use and management

Change detection in land cover mapping using remote sensing data over prioritized hydrographic basins of Venezuela

Stakeholder

Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

Realizing the importance of Space Science and Technology applications for sustainable national development, the Government of Pakistan established Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. Being the National Space Agency of Pakistan, SUPARCO is mandated to conduct research and development work in the field of space science, technology and its applications for peaceful purposes and socio-economic uplift of country. Its headquarter is located at Islamabad and technical facilities are spread over Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Peshawar and Gilgit.

Read More

Remote Sensing, GIS and Climatic Research Lab, University of the Punjab

Remote Sensing, GIS and Climatic Research Lab, University of the Punjab

The emerging demand of GIS and Space Applications for Climate Change studies for the socio-economic development of Pakistan along with Government of Pakistan Vision 2025, Space Vision 2047 of National Space Agency of Pakistan, and achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) impelled the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) to establish Remote Sensing, GIS and Climatic Research Lab (RSGCRL) at University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Read More

UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Logo of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) is a world-leading independent research institute focused on delivering integrated environmental science to address some of the most pressing challenges facing society and the planet. With over 50 years of expertise, UKCEH operates at the interface of ecology, hydrology, atmospheric science, and data science, providing evidence and tools to support sustainable environmental management.

Read More

Person

Huang

Photo of Jiayun Huang

Jiayun Huang

Intern United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

Jiayun Huang was a master student at Imperial College London, specializing in ecological applications. She holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. Her research includes a wide range of topics related to environmental monitoring, evaluation, and management using remote sensing technology. She has undergone professional training in field investigations and laboratory operations, and is able to integrate them with remote sensing technology in the research projects.

Maina

Photo of Esther Maina

Esther Maina

GIS and Remote Sensing expert Kenya Space Agency

Esther W. Maina is a skilled geospatial and remote sensing expert with over five years of experience leveraging space-based technologies to advance food systems resilience, natural resource management, and policy development in Kenya. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Science from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and a Master’s in Space Entrepreneurship at the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability in Italy.

De Souza

Profile photo of Veronica De Souza

Veronica De Souza

Space Application Director Agencia Bolivariana para Actividades Espaciales / Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities

My name is Verónica De Souza. I have a degree in Physics with a minor in Geophysics and a Master's degree in Ocean, Atmosphere, and Continental Surface Science. I worked for 13 years at the Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE), the last three years in the Space Applications Directorate, focusing primarily on the processing and use of satellite data, especially from Venezuela's VRSS-1/2 satellites. Recently, ABAE has been participating in an inter-institutional committee on the management and sustainability of the country's watersheds.

Kabo Bah

Photo of Mr. Kabo Bah

Amos Kabo Bah

Dean, International Relations Office University of Energy and Natural Resources

Dr. Amos T. Kabo-Bah is a distinguished expert in climate change, energy, and hydrology. With a Ph.D. from Hohai University, China, he has built an impressive career in research, teaching, and consulting. His experience includes a postdoctoral position at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and his current role as Dean for International Relations at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana. Dr.

Richiardi

Software/Tool/(Web-)App

LandMonitoring.Earth

LandMonitoring.Earth

LM.Earth

At the occasion of the ‘European Land Monitoring at its crossroads’ conference held in Innsbruck, Austria, in October 2018, GeoVille has released an update of the LandMonitoring.Earth public portal.

Read More

Earth Observation Data Analysis Library

Earth Observation Data Analysis Library

Logo of the EOdal project

Imagery from Earth observing (EO) satellites combined with environmental data about climate, topography and soils holds great potential to advance our knowledge about the dynamics of our planet. Still, the handling and analysis of these data sources is cumbersome and presents a high barrier to entry leaving the potential of EO data underexploited.

Read More