Land Cover Map 2007 data

Introduction

Land Cover Map (LCM) 2007 is a parcel-based thematic classification of satellite image data covering the entire United Kingdom. The map updates and upgrades the Land Cover Map of Great Britain (LCMGB) 1990 and LCM2000. Like the earlier LCM 1990 and 2000 products, LCM2007 is derived from a computer classification of satellite scenes obtained mainly from Landsat, IRS and SPOT sensors. LCM2007 was classified using a nomenclature corresponding to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Broad Habitats, which encompasses the entire range of UK habitats. In addition, it recorded further detail where possible, incorporating land cover classes sought by other users. LCM2007 is produced in both vector and raster formats, with a number of different versions containing varying levels of detail and at different spatial resolutions.

LCM2007 uses a spatial framework based on OS MasterMap ®. MasterMap was generalised to remove unnecessary detail, then the framework was segmented according to the underlying satellite data to split areas of non-uniform landscape. The data was classified according to a parcel-based supervised maximum likelihood classification procedure. The raster products are derived from the vector products.

Further Information

Morton, D., Rowland, C., Wood, C., Meek, L., Marston, C., Smith, G., Wadsworth, R., Simpson, I.C., (2011) Final Report for LCM2007 - the new UK Land Cover Map. Countryside Survey Technical Report No. 11/07 NERC/Centre for Ecology & Hydrology 112pp. (CEH Project Number: C03259).

Jackson D.L., (2000), Guidance on the interpretation of the Biodiversity Broad Habitat Classification (terrestrial and freshwater types): Definitions and the relationship with other classifications, JNCC Report 307, 73 pages, ISSN 0963 8091 (available online at: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2433 ).