Phase 1 Land Cover Map
December, 1997
The MoRAP Land Cover project is on-going. This Phase 1 map is an interim product designed for use by MoRAP partner agencies. Following are some caveats regarding advisable use based on how the data were derived. We ask that users (1) clearly understand these caveats and keep the limitations of these data in mind, (2) note that the current Phase 1 product represents a work in progress (comments welcome), and (3) acknowledge the source of this information.
This Phase 1 Land Cover Map is a mosaic of the results of at least 15 independent Thematic Mapper satellite digital image classifications. Two dates (spring and fall) were merged and classified. Images were obtained from 1991 to 1993. The multi-date data sets for each scene were constructed with varying spectral wavelength combinations. Each of the resulting 15 data sets was independently processed with unsupervised classification techniques. Sixty spectral classes were generated for each scene and assigned to land cover categories. Class assignments were made by reference to 1990 to 1992, 1:40,000 scale NAPP aerial photography. Land cover class names come from the Missouri Land Cover Classification Scheme (1997).
No ground truth effort has been completed. TM scene edges sometimes can be detected. MoRAP will resolve these seams in Phase 2 of our on-going mapping effort. For this Phase 1 product, production of maps beyond a scale of 1:60,000 is not suggested. Phase 2 will use Ecological Subsections as the template for a more detailed classification, and will rely on extensive ground-based information. Phase 2 products will be produced iteratively by Ecological Subsection, and the entire state is scheduled to be complete by December of 1998. For this statewide Phase 1 product, more detailed, scene-based classifications have been simplified and collapsed into a few generalized cover classes as indicated below.
Land Cover Classes
- Deciduous Forest and Woodland - areas covered by a sparse to dense tree canopy in which deciduous trees comprise 75% or more of the relative cover (deciduous tree cover/total tree cover > 75%); includes upland oak forests and savannas, bottomland softwood forests, etc.
- Evergreen and Mixed Forest and Woodland - areas covered by sparse to dense tree canopy in which evergreen trees are dominant, or in which evergreen and deciduous trees share dominance; includes pine forests, pine-oak forests and woodlands, eastern red cedar and red cedar-oak forests and woodlands, old fields with red cedar and deciduous species, etc.
- Grassland - areas covered by grasses and grass-like plants without a significant tree canopy; includes cool and warm season grasslands, haylands, pastures, etc.
- Cropland - areas used for row crop production; winter wheat is sometimes confused with grassland; areas bare of vegetation are sometimes confused with cropland
- Urban - mainly areas within incorporated municipal boundaries, with some urban areas outside of recognized city boundaries
- Open Water - areas covered by open water
