News
01.12.2003 | General news
New global land Map to aid Forecasting and study of Climate ChangeA global land map, containing an overview of the planet's vegetation and land cover, was unveiled by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) and over 30 partners at a conference in Baveno, Italy, on 26 November 2003.
GLC2000 is a global land cover database with the potential to advance knowledge of climate change and enable scientists to make more accurate forecasts of natural and manmade disasters. Apart from advancing the scientific study of eco-systems, biodiversity and climate change, the GLC2000 project will also improve weather forecasting and the prediction of disasters, from floods to fires and heat-waves.
Daily observations of the planet's land surface, under the GLC2000 initiative took place from 1 November 1999 to 31 December 2000 using the 'VEGETATION' sensor flying on the SPOT-4 satellite. This contribution to the international initiative was made by a consortium of European partners - the European Commission, the French Centre National d' Etudes Spatiales, the Swedish National Space Board, the Italian Space Agency and the Belgian Office of Science and Technology.
As in Europe, local experts across the world mapped their respective regions until a full planetary picture was built up. The JRC then analysed the regional maps and used them to create the GLC2000 database. This new map presents 22 detailed land cover types, ranging from forest and agricultural lands to cities, deserts and permanent snowfields.
For further information on GLC2000, please consult the following web address http://www.gvm.jrc.it/glc2000/defaultGLC2000.htm
Source:Euresearch