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#           Eyes on Earth Episode 106 – EROS 50th: Land Cover, Part 1      

  Completed

      By Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center       October 30, 2023    

            -              Overview           
            -              Multimedia           

USGS EROS contributed to a better understanding of the Earth’s surface by leading early land cover mapping efforts.

Return to Eyes on Earth Homepage

View Media Details

View

View Media Details

Several decades ago, EROS employees were pioneers in land cover mapping—turning satellite imagery into a record of what covers the land, from farmland to forest to urban areas. National and global datasets with a variety of uses resulted from these efforts. In this episode, we explore some of this history, along with how it benefited people at the time and the mapping efforts that would follow. Our next episode will look at two modern efforts at EROS, NLCD and LCMAP, and how their strengths are merging for the next generation of land cover and change products.

**Guest:** Jesslyn Brown, longtime research geographer at USGS EROS

**Host:** Jane Lawson (contractor for USGS EROS)

**Producer:** Tom Adamson (contractor for USGS EROS)

**Release date:** Monday, October 30, 2023

Download and Transcript Access

 

### **More about EROS land cover science:**

                                - Eyes on Earth Episode 107 – EROS 50th: Land Cover, Part 2
                                - EROS 50th History: A Leader in Mapping Land Cover and Change
                                - National Land Cover Database (NLCD)
                                - Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP)
                                - USGS Announces Next Generation of Land Cover and Change Products

 

## Related Episodes

                          -  -  November 13, 2023  Eyes on Earth Episode 107 – EROS 50th: Land Cover, Part 2
The National Land Cover Database (NLCD) has a long history as the definitive U.S. land cover product. But the newer Land Change Monitoring, Assessment and Projection (LCMAP) effort takes a longer look back in time.
ByCore Science Systems Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 
-  September 16, 2019  Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database
Sorting Landsat data into an accurate and reliable record of land cover in the United States is one of the most important jobs at EROS. This episode of Eyes on Earth explores the what, how, and why of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). 
ByEarth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 
-  July 13, 2020  Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP
The U.S. Geological Survey took a bold step toward documenting change across the landscape with the launch of the first Landsat satellite in 1972. Since then, it’s collected nearly five decades of imagery. But it takes more than just imagery to understand change. It takes time, effort—and serious computing horsepower.
ByNational Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Landsat Missions, Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection
-  July 12, 2021  Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019
The National Land Cover Database, or NLCD, was the first and remains the most well-known set of satellite-based land cover mapping products released by EROS. It sorts the each 30-by-30-meter plot of land in the United States into a land cover class, such as cropland, pasture, high-intensity developed, deciduous forest, and the like.
ByCore Science Systems Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 
 

### Study Area

### Contacts

#### Michelle Bouchard

##### Communications and Outreach

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

mbouchard@usgs.gov

605-594-6168

### Explore Search

                      - Information Systems
                      - Maps and Mapping
                      - Science Technology
                      - Eyes on Earth
                      - Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
                      - EROS 50th
                      - Land Change Science
                      - National Land Cover Database
                      - LCMAP

View All **

Listen to the second part of the land cover series, along with other related Eyes on Earth episodes.

November 13, 2023

####   Eyes on Earth Episode 107 – EROS 50th: Land Cover, Part 2

The National Land Cover Database (NLCD) has a long history as the definitive U.S. land cover product. But the newer Land Change Monitoring, Assessment and Projection (LCMAP) effort takes a longer look back in time.

Core Science Systems Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

Eyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnail

Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019

Eyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnailEyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnail

July 12, 2021

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019

link

The National Land Cover Database, or NLCD, was the first and remains the most well-known set of satellite-based land cover mapping products released by EROS. It sorts the each 30-by-30-meter plot of land in the United States into a land cover class, such as cropland, pasture, high-intensity developed, deciduous forest, and the like.

Core Science Systems, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

Eyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnailEyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnail

July 12, 2021

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019

link

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019

link

The National Land Cover Database, or NLCD, was the first and remains the most well-known set of satellite-based land cover mapping products released by EROS. It sorts the each 30-by-30-meter plot of land in the United States into a land cover class, such as cropland, pasture, high-intensity developed, deciduous forest, and the like.

Core Science Systems, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP 

Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP

Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP 

July 13, 2020

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP

link

The U.S. Geological Survey took a bold step toward documenting change across the landscape with the launch of the first Landsat satellite in 1972. Since then, it’s collected nearly five decades of imagery. But it takes more than just imagery to understand change. It takes time, effort—and serious computing horsepower.

National Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Landsat Missions

Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP 

July 13, 2020

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP

link

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP

link

The U.S. Geological Survey took a bold step toward documenting change across the landscape with the launch of the first Landsat satellite in 1972. Since then, it’s collected nearly five decades of imagery. But it takes more than just imagery to understand change. It takes time, effort—and serious computing horsepower.

National Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Landsat Missions

Eyes on Earth - Collin Homer

Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database

Eyes on Earth - Collin HomerEyes on Earth - Collin Homer

September 16, 2019

#### Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database

link

Sorting Landsat data into an accurate and reliable record of land cover in the United States is one of the most important jobs at EROS. This episode of Eyes on Earth explores the what, how, and why of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). 

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

Eyes on Earth - Collin HomerEyes on Earth - Collin Homer

September 16, 2019

#### Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database

link

#### Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database

link

Sorting Landsat data into an accurate and reliable record of land cover in the United States is one of the most important jobs at EROS. This episode of Eyes on Earth explores the what, how, and why of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). 

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

USGS EROS contributed to a better understanding of the Earth’s surface by leading early land cover mapping efforts.

Return to Eyes on Earth Homepage

View Media Details

View

View Media Details

Several decades ago, EROS employees were pioneers in land cover mapping—turning satellite imagery into a record of what covers the land, from farmland to forest to urban areas. National and global datasets with a variety of uses resulted from these efforts. In this episode, we explore some of this history, along with how it benefited people at the time and the mapping efforts that would follow. Our next episode will look at two modern efforts at EROS, NLCD and LCMAP, and how their strengths are merging for the next generation of land cover and change products.

**Guest:** Jesslyn Brown, longtime research geographer at USGS EROS

**Host:** Jane Lawson (contractor for USGS EROS)

**Producer:** Tom Adamson (contractor for USGS EROS)

**Release date:** Monday, October 30, 2023

Download and Transcript Access

 

### **More about EROS land cover science:**

                                - Eyes on Earth Episode 107 – EROS 50th: Land Cover, Part 2
                                - EROS 50th History: A Leader in Mapping Land Cover and Change
                                - National Land Cover Database (NLCD)
                                - Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP)
                                - USGS Announces Next Generation of Land Cover and Change Products

 

## Related Episodes

                          -  -  November 13, 2023  Eyes on Earth Episode 107 – EROS 50th: Land Cover, Part 2
The National Land Cover Database (NLCD) has a long history as the definitive U.S. land cover product. But the newer Land Change Monitoring, Assessment and Projection (LCMAP) effort takes a longer look back in time.
ByCore Science Systems Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 
-  September 16, 2019  Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database
Sorting Landsat data into an accurate and reliable record of land cover in the United States is one of the most important jobs at EROS. This episode of Eyes on Earth explores the what, how, and why of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). 
ByEarth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 
-  July 13, 2020  Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP
The U.S. Geological Survey took a bold step toward documenting change across the landscape with the launch of the first Landsat satellite in 1972. Since then, it’s collected nearly five decades of imagery. But it takes more than just imagery to understand change. It takes time, effort—and serious computing horsepower.
ByNational Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Landsat Missions, Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection
-  July 12, 2021  Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019
The National Land Cover Database, or NLCD, was the first and remains the most well-known set of satellite-based land cover mapping products released by EROS. It sorts the each 30-by-30-meter plot of land in the United States into a land cover class, such as cropland, pasture, high-intensity developed, deciduous forest, and the like.
ByCore Science Systems Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 
 

### Study Area

### Contacts

#### Michelle Bouchard

##### Communications and Outreach

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

mbouchard@usgs.gov

605-594-6168

### Explore Search

                      - Information Systems
                      - Maps and Mapping
                      - Science Technology
                      - Eyes on Earth
                      - Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
                      - EROS 50th
                      - Land Change Science
                      - National Land Cover Database
                      - LCMAP

View All **

Listen to the second part of the land cover series, along with other related Eyes on Earth episodes.

November 13, 2023

####   Eyes on Earth Episode 107 – EROS 50th: Land Cover, Part 2

The National Land Cover Database (NLCD) has a long history as the definitive U.S. land cover product. But the newer Land Change Monitoring, Assessment and Projection (LCMAP) effort takes a longer look back in time.

Core Science Systems Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

Eyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnail

Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019

Eyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnailEyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnail

July 12, 2021

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019

link

The National Land Cover Database, or NLCD, was the first and remains the most well-known set of satellite-based land cover mapping products released by EROS. It sorts the each 30-by-30-meter plot of land in the United States into a land cover class, such as cropland, pasture, high-intensity developed, deciduous forest, and the like.

Core Science Systems, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

Eyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnailEyes on Earth - National Land Cover Database 2019 thumbnail

July 12, 2021

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019

link

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 54 - National Land Cover Database 2019

link

The National Land Cover Database, or NLCD, was the first and remains the most well-known set of satellite-based land cover mapping products released by EROS. It sorts the each 30-by-30-meter plot of land in the United States into a land cover class, such as cropland, pasture, high-intensity developed, deciduous forest, and the like.

Core Science Systems, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP 

Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP

Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP 

July 13, 2020

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP

link

The U.S. Geological Survey took a bold step toward documenting change across the landscape with the launch of the first Landsat satellite in 1972. Since then, it’s collected nearly five decades of imagery. But it takes more than just imagery to understand change. It takes time, effort—and serious computing horsepower.

National Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Landsat Missions

Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP Eyes on Earth - Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP 

July 13, 2020

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP

link

#### Eyes on Earth Episode 29 – Tracking Landscape Change with LCMAP

link

The U.S. Geological Survey took a bold step toward documenting change across the landscape with the launch of the first Landsat satellite in 1972. Since then, it’s collected nearly five decades of imagery. But it takes more than just imagery to understand change. It takes time, effort—and serious computing horsepower.

National Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Landsat Missions

Eyes on Earth - Collin Homer

Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database

Eyes on Earth - Collin HomerEyes on Earth - Collin Homer

September 16, 2019

#### Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database

link

Sorting Landsat data into an accurate and reliable record of land cover in the United States is one of the most important jobs at EROS. This episode of Eyes on Earth explores the what, how, and why of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). 

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

Eyes on Earth - Collin HomerEyes on Earth - Collin Homer

September 16, 2019

#### Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database

link

#### Eyes on Earth - Episode 3 - The National Land Cover Database

link

Sorting Landsat data into an accurate and reliable record of land cover in the United States is one of the most important jobs at EROS. This episode of Eyes on Earth explores the what, how, and why of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). 

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center