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developed based on the experience gained

from numerous United Nations, international

created for mapping exercises, independent of the scale

and country mapping activities, including the

or means used to map. It enables a comparison of land

Africover East Africa Project and the Global Land

cover classes regardless of data source, thematic

Cover 2000 initiative. The new version of the LCCS

discipline or country. The LCCS method enhances the

software is fully compatible with the previous version,

standardization process and minimizes the problem of

thus ensuring continuity of past and future LCCS

dealing with a very large number of pre-defined classes.

mapping activities.

Classification concepts and

user manual
Software version 2

Contact:
GLCN contact: [email protected] SDRN contact: [email protected]

Software version 2

Additional information:
www.glcn.org

Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN) publications

www.fao.org/sd/enpub1_en.htm

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

www.fao.org

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Land Cover
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The manual accompanies version 2 of

Land Cover Classification System

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Land Cover
Classification
System
Classification concepts and
user manual
Software version 2

Revised by
Antonio Di Gregorio
Based on the original software version 1
Prepared by
Antonio Di Gregorio
and
Louisa J.M. Jansen

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Rome, 2005

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GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

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The conclusions given in this report are considered appropriate at the time of its preparation. They may be modified
in the light of further knowledge gained at subsequent stages of the project.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the
expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
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ISBN: 92-5-105327-8

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FAO 2005

FOREWORD
Efficient assessment of land cover and the ability to monitor change are fundamental to
sustainable management of natural resources, environmental protection, food security and
successful humanitarian programmes. Such information is also required by the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in achieving its mandate of raising
levels of nutrition, improving agricultural productivity, enhancing the lives of rural
populations and contributing to sustainable growth of the world economy. However, in the
past, policy-makers and planners have not had access to reliable and comparable land cover
data, not only for lower-income countries but also at the regional and global levels.
FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have been
collaborating in numerous initiatives for improving the reliability and compatibility of
land cover data sets, and enabling access to the information for a large user community.
A recent example of such collaboration is the Global Land Cover Network (GLCN),
launched in 2004, with the support of the Government of Italy, the Government of the
Netherlands and numerous institutes worldwide.
A critical factor in implementing such global activities is the availability of a common,
harmonized land cover classification system that provides a reliable basis for interaction
among the increasing number of national, regional and global land cover mapping and
monitoring activities.
In the absence of a generally accepted or applicable system, FAO and UNEP have
developed the Land Cover Classification System (LCCS), which enables comparison of
land cover classes regardless of mapping scale, land cover type, data collection method or
geographic location. Currently, LCCS is the only universally applicable classification
system in operational use. LCCS' inherent flexibility, its applicability in all climatic zones
and environmental conditions, and the built-in compatibility with other classification
systems has given LCCS the potential to be accepted as the international standard. For
these reasons, LCCS is currently in the approval process to become a standard of the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
LCCS is already an important tool in global mapping, being used in initiatives such as
the Global Land Cover 2000 project, and for the next global assessment, GLOBCOVER,
which aims to produce a global land cover map for the year 2005. Developed initially
through the practical experience of the Africover project, LCCS has been widely adopted
at the national level throughout Africa, Asia, Near East and Latin America. The feedback
from this large user community has resulted in the improved and updated version 2 of the
software that accompanies this document.

David Harcharik
Deputy Director-General FAO

iii

The Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) has been developed by the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) to meet the need for improved access to reliable and
standardized information on land cover and land cover change.
LCCS is a comprehensive, standardized a priori classification system designed to meet
specific user requirements, and created for mapping exercises, independent of the scale or
means used to map. It enables a comparison of land cover classes regardless of data source,
thematic discipline or country. The LCCS system enhances the standardization process
and minimizes the problem of dealing with a very large amount of pre-defined classes.
To facilitate the complex classification process and ensure standardization, innovative
software has been developed to guide the user to select the appropriate class.
The following manual accompanies version 2 of the LCCS software, which has been
developed on the experience gained from numerous FAO/UNEP and country mapping
activities including the Africover East Africa Project. The new version of the LCCS
software is fully compatible with the previous version to ensure continuity of past and
future LCCS mapping activities.

Land Cover Classification System (LCCS), version 2:

Classification Concepts and User Manual

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ABSTRACT

By A. Di Gregorio
208 pages, 76 figures, 12 tables, and CD-ROM with software
FAO Environment and Natural Resources Service Series, No. 8 - FAO, Rome, 2005

Keywords:
Land cover; classification; classification system; standardization; harmonization.

This series replaces the following:

Environment and Energy Series
Remote Sensing Centre Series
Agrometeorology Working Paper
A list of documents published in the above series and other information can be found at the Web site:
www.fao.org/sd

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The first full operational version of the Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) was
developed for the implementation of the Africover - East Africa Project, which was
supported by the Government of Italy (Trust Fund GCP/RAF/287/ITA) in collaboration
with the Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN) and the Soil Resources,
Management and Conservation Service (AGLS) of FAO.
These land cover classification concepts were discussed and endorsed at the meeting of
the International Working Group on Classification and Legend (Senegal, July 1996)
supported by Government of France Trust Fund GCP/RAF/311/FRA (FAO, 1997).
The second version of the LCCS was developed through an interactive feedback
approach involving a large global community, as well as from the experience gained
through the implementation of the Africover and other projects.
In particular, the following are thanked for their contribution to the development of the
LCCS software: Louisa Jansen, Luca Morandini, Antonio Martucci, Wolfgang Prante,
Keya Choudhury, Enrico Botte, Andrea Bellancini, Simone Maffei and Davide De Marchi
(see Appendix E).
Appreciation also goes to the many other institutions and individuals who responded
to earlier versions of the system, especially the U.S. Federal Geographic Data Committee
- Vegetation Sub-committee and Earth Cover Working Group, Washington, October 1996
and Rome, January 1997 (with special thanks to Gyde Lund of the USDA Forest Service,
Washington, D.C.); the LANES concerted action funded under the 4th Framework
Programme of Research on Environment and Climate of the European Commission,
which focused on the development of a harmonized framework for multipurpose land
cover and land use information (with special thanks to Christophe Duhamel of CESDCommunautaire, Luxembourg, coordinating the LANES concerted action). Furthermore,
Salomon B. Kroonenberg of the Geology Section, Subfaculty of Applied Earth Sciences,
Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands, is thanked for provision of the
information on lithology. Finally, UNEP is gratefully acknowledged for its financial
contribution to this publication.
Gratitude also goes to Reuben Sessa, Paolo Prosperi, Thorgeir Lawrence, Carlos Tapia,
Gaia V. Laurin and the Studio Bartoleschi for assisting in the preparationand printing
of the manual.

Antonio Di Gregorio
Senior Remote Sensing Officer, SDRN

CONTENTS
iii Foreword
iv Abstract
v Acknowledgements
ix Acronyms
x Executive Summary
PART ONE
CLASSIFICATION CONCEPTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DEFINITIONS
3 2.1 Land Cover
3 2.2 Land use
3 2.3 Classification and Legend
4 2.4 Hierarchical versus Non-Hierarchical Systems
5 2.5 A priori and A posteriori Systems
3. THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS
7 3.1 Problems with current classification systems
7

3.1.1 Purpose

3.1.2 Consistency

3.1.3 Underlying common principle

10

3.1.4 A priori classification systems

11 3.2 The basis for a new approach

11

3.2.1 Definition adopted for land cover

12

3.2.2 New approach to classification

13

3.2.3 Land Cover Classification System design criteria

14

3.2.4 Dichotomous Phase

14

3.2.5 Modular-Hierarchical Phase

20 3.3 Working with the LCCS Mode Function

25 3.4 Concepts for Primarily Vegetated Areas
26

3.4.1 Natural and Semi-Natural Vegetation (A12 and A24)

34

3.4.2 Cultivated and Managed Terrestrial Areas (A11 and A23)

38 3.5 Classification Concepts for Primarily Non-Vegetated Areas

38

3.5.1 Artificial Surfaces and Associated Areas (B15)

39

3.5.2 Bare Areas (B16)

40

3.5.3 Artificial and Natural Waterbodies, Snow and Ice (B27 and B28)

41 3.6 Environmental and Specific Technical Attributes

41

3.6.1 Environmental Attributes

43

3.6.2 Specific Technical Attributes

43 3.7 The Advantages of the Method Adopted

43

3.7.1 Advantages from the conceptual point of view

44

3.7.2 Advantages from the practical point of view

46 3.8 From Classification To Legend

46

3.8.1 The Minimum Mappable Area concept

47

3.8.2 The Occurrence of Mixed Mapping Units

vii

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PART TWO

LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM: USER MANUAL

4. INSTALLATION
52 4.2 Installation procedure
52 4.3 Directory structure
5. OPERATION

53 5.2 Screen objects

6. THE PROGRAM MODULES
57 6.1 Classification Module
57

6.1.1 Purpose

57

6.1.2 Dichotomous Phase

59

6.1.3 Modular-Hierarchical Phase

65 6.2 Legend Module

6.2.1 Purpose

65

6.2.2 How to create a legend

67

6.2.3 Using the Legend Management Menu

76 6.3 Translator Module

76

6.3.1 Purpose

76

6.3.2 How to translate a classification or legend

80

6.3.3 Comparison of External Classes

83

6.3.4 Comparison of Two LCCS Classes

83

6.3.5 Export table/Import table

65

53 5.1 Selection techniques

51 4.1 Minimum system requirements

85 6.4 Links Function

85

6.4.1 Purpose

85

6.4.2 Links Management Menu

87

6.4.3 How to create a link

90 6.5 Close
91 REFERENCES
95 APPENDIX A: Glossary of classifiers, modifiers and attributes
155 APPENDIX B: Presentation of major land cover categories
175 APPENDIX C: Overview of environmental attributes of each land cover type
181 APPENDIX D: Translator module comparison and similarity assessment values
189 APPENDIX E: Development teams for versions 1 and 2

viii

ACRONYMS
AGLS
AVHRR
CEC
CORINE
DIS
ECWG
FAO
FGDC
GIS
IGBP
LCC
LCCS
LGP
LUCC
NOAA
P/P
PET
ppm
SCS
SDRN
SOTER
T/T
TDS
UNCED
UNEP
UNESCO
USDA

Soil Resources, Management and Conservation Service, FAO

Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
Commission of the European Communities
Coordination of Information on the Environment, EU
Data and Information System
Vegetation Subcommittee and Earth Cover Working Group, USA
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Federal Geographic Data Committee, USA
Geographical Information System
International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme
Land Cover Classification
Land Cover Classification System
Length of Growing Period
Land Use and Land Cover Change
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA
Precipitation
Potential Evapotranspiration
parts per million
Soil Conservation Service, USA
Environment and Natural Resources Service, FAO
Soils and Terrain [methodology]
Temperature
Total Dissolved Solids
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
United States Department of Agriculture

ix

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) is a comprehensive, standardized a priori

classification system, designed to meet specific user requirements, and created for mapping
exercises, independent of the scale or means used to map. The system can be used for any
land cover classification initiative anywhere in the world, using a set of independent
diagnostic criteria that allow correlation with existing classifications and legends.
Land cover classes are defined by a combination of a set of independent diagnostic criteria
the so-called classifiers that are hierarchically arranged to assure a high degree of
geographical accuracy. Due to the heterogeneity of land cover, the same set of classifiers
cannot be used to define all land cover types. The hierarchical structure of the classifiers may
differ from one land cover type to another. Therefore, the classification has two main phases:

an initial Dichotomous Phase, where eight major land cover types are distinguished, and

a subsequent Modular-Hierarchical Phase, where the set of classifiers and their
hierarchical arrangement are tailored to the major land cover type.
This approach allows the use of the most appropriate classifiers and prevents the use
of inaccurate classifier combinations. To facilitate the complex classification process and
ensure standardization, an innovative programme has been developed that should reduce
heterogeneity between interpreters and between interpretations over time. The software
assists the user to select the appropriate class using a step-by-step process, i.e. classifier
by classifier. The flexible manner in which the classification is set up involves the
creation of classes at different levels of the system and the optional use of modifiers,
environmental attributes and specific technical attributes in combination, coupled with
the tremendous number of classes possible. The software can be used as a stand-alone
product or used in combination with a digital image interpretation software suite, which
will allow interpretation of imagery followed by labelling of the mapping units with the
land cover classes.
Further definition of the Land Cover Class can be achieved by adding attributes. Two
types of attributes, which form separate levels in the classification, are distinguished:

Environmental Attributes are attributes (e.g. climate, landform, altitude, soil,
lithology and erosion) that influence land cover but are not inherent features of it,
and which should not be mixed with pure land cover classifiers, and

Specific Technical Attributes are associated with specific technical disciplines. Thus
for (Semi)Natural Vegetation, the Floristic Aspect can be added; for Cultivated
Areas, the Crop Type; and for Bare Soil, the Soil Type.
All Primarily Vegetated land cover classes are derived from a consistent physiognomicstructural conceptual approach that combines the classifiers Life Form, Cover and Height
(in (Semi-)Natural Vegetation) and Life Form (in Cultivated Areas) with Spatial
Distribution. The Primarily Non-Vegetated classes have a similar approach, using
classifiers that deal with surface aspects, distribution or density, and height or depth.
The classification system generates mutually exclusive land cover classes, which
comprise: (1) a unique Boolean formula (a coded string of classifiers used); (2) a standard

name; and (3) a unique numerical code. Both the numerical code and standard name can be
used to build an automatically generated Legend, with the classes that have been created
being grouped according to the main land cover categories and their domains according to
the level of detail. The nomenclature can be linked to a user-defined name in any language.
The advantages of the classifier, or parametric, approach are manifold. The system
created is a highly flexible a priori land cover classification in which each land cover class is
clearly and systematically defined, thus providing internal consistency. The system is truly
hierarchical and applicable at a variety of scales. Re-arrangement of the classes based on regrouping of the classifiers used facilitates extensive use of the outputs by a wide variety of
end-users. Accuracy assessment of the end product can be generated by class or by the
individual classifiers forming the class. All land covers can be accommodated in this highly
flexible system; the classification could therefore serve as a universally applicable reference
base for land cover, thus contributing towards data harmonization and standardization
LCCS VERSION 2
Version 2 of LCCS is an upgrade of the original version 1 (FAO, 2000) and has been
developed on the experience gained from numerous FAO/UNEP and country mapping
activities, including the Africover East Africa Project as well as feedback from the end-user
community. The new version of the LCCS software is fully compatible with the previous
version to ensure continuity of past and future LCCS mapping activities.
The modifications, upgrades and improvements in the new version of the software,
LCCS2, can be divided into eight groups:

Change of the programming language. The software has been re-programmed, from
Access to Visual Basic.

Amelioration of the user interface of the software.

Amelioration and modification of class names and class descriptions.

Augmented types of classifiers and modifiers and environmental attributes to define
an LCCS class.

Increased number of possible combinations of classifiers/modifiers.

Increased flexibility in class creation. There is now more possibility to skip
classifier functions, and a new function to introduce an activate classifier.

Upgrade of the cartographic standards section. In addition to the original
(cartographic) mixed-unit functions, another three types of mixed-unit function
have been added.

Establishment of a new function LCCS LINK.
The upgrading of the software has been implemented in a manner that ensures
compatibility between the old and new versions of LCCS.
The proposed modifications were made available for six months to the user community
through both the LCCS and Africover Web sites, to allow comments and suggestions.

xi

PART ONE
CLASSIFICATION
CONCEPTS
Classification is easy: it is something you just do.
[ F.C. Bawden ]

A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees.
[ W. Blake, Marriage of Heaven and Hell ]

C H A P T E R

INTRODUCTION

PART ONE

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

The main resource controlling primary productivity for terrestrial ecosystems can be
defined in terms of land: the area of land available, land quality, moisture regime and
edaphic character. Despite successful substitution of land-based resources with fossil fuels
and mineral resources, land remains of prime importance (Darwin et al., 1996). Land cover
and land use represent the integrating elements of the resource base. Changes in land cover
and land use affect global systems (e.g. atmosphere, climate and sea level) or occur in a
localized fashion in enough places to have a significant effect (Meyer and Turner, 1992).
Land cover is the expression of human activities and, as such, changes with alterations in
these. Hence, land cover is a geographical feature that can form a reference base for
applications ranging from forest and rangeland monitoring, through production of
statistics, planning, investment, biodiversity, climate change, to desertification control.
Humans have continually reshaped the Earth, but the present magnitude and rate are
unprecedented. Nowadays, it is realized that it is very important to know how land cover
has changed over time, in order to make assessments of the changes one could expect in the
(near) future and the impact these changes will have on peoples lives. As people are the
main users of the land, it is important for any system to be oriented towards them.
Due to the lack of appropriate land cover data, many assessments have used models to
delimit potential land cover (e.g. Alexandratos, 1995). Although the use of potential land
cover is important in modelling simulated future scenarios, there are major limitations.
Information describing current land cover is an important input for planning and
modelling, but the quality of such data defines the reliability of the simulation outputs
(Townshend, 1992; Belward, 1996).
In addition to a high demand for improved land cover data sets because of an increasing
need to be able to precisely describe and classify land cover in order to develop sustainable
land use systems, there is also a growing need for standardization and compatibility
between data sets and for the possibility to map, evaluate and monitor wide areas in a
consistent manner (Di Gregorio, 1991; Reichert and Di Gregorio, 1995; Thompson, 1996;
FAO, 1995, 1997). Technical advances, such as the vast amount of remote sensing data that
has become available from earth observation satellites, makes this increasingly possible
(Di Gregorio, 1995).
In 1993, UNEP and FAO organized a meeting to catalyse coordinated action
towards harmonization of data collection and management and to take a first step
towards an internationally agreed reference base for land cover and land use
(UNEP/FAO, 1994). This was required by the Africover Programme of the

C O N C E P T S

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Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN), with its objective to map land
cover for the whole of Africa, and needed a land cover reference system for operational use.
The objectives of the Africover Programme are to:
respond to the need of a variety of end-users for land cover data;
apply the methodology in mapping exercises, independent of the means used, which
may range from high resolution satellite imagery to aerial photography;
link with existing classifications and legends, allowing comparison and correlation;
and
support, to the extent possible, international ongoing initiatives in classification and
definition of land cover.
The main objective of the initiative is the definition of a reference classification to
respond to the need for standardization or harmonized collection of data, as mentioned in
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Developments (UNCED) Agenda
21 Chapter 10, for which FAO is Task Manager within the United Nations system and to
develop a common integrated approach to all aspects of land cover. This implies a
methodology that is applicable at any scale, and which is comprehensive in the sense that
any land cover identified anywhere in the world can be readily accommodated.
When developing LCCS, existing published classifications and legends, as well as
nomenclatures, were analysed (Danserau, 1961; Fosberg, 1961; Eiten, 1968; UNESCO,
1973; Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg, 1974; Anderson et al., 1976; Kuechler and
Zonneveld, 1988; CEC, 1993; UNEP/FAO, 1994; Duhamel, 1995; Beek, De Bie and
Driessen, 1997), together with relevant FAO documents (Ngre, 1995; Barisano, 1996;
Wyatt et al., unpubl.).
The initial concepts of the classification were discussed by the international Africover
Working Group on Classification and Legend (Senegal, July 1996; Di Gregorio and
Jansen, 1996c; FAO, 1997). The system was developed in collaboration with other
international ongoing activities on classification of land cover, such as the U.S. Federal
Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Vegetation Subcommittee and Earth Cover
Working Group (ECWG); the South African National Land Cover Database Project
(Thompson, 1996); and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP)
Data and Information System (DIS) Land Cover Working Group and Land Use and Land
Cover Change (LUCC) Core Project. The first full operational version of the
classification and software program was developed by the Africover East Africa project
(GCP/RAF/287/ITA) in cooperation with the Soil Resources, Management and
Conservation Service (AGLS) of FAO.
The approach developed serves as the basis for a reference classification system with
links to specific expertise, because it describes and allows correlation of land cover through
a set of independent diagnostic criteria, the so-called classifiers, rather than being
nomenclature based. Also, existing classifications and legends can be translated into the
reference system, thus facilitating the use of existing historical materials. Re-arrangement
of the classes, based on re-grouping of the classifiers used, facilitates the extensive use of
the outputs by a wide variety of end-users.

C H A P T E R

DEFINITIONS

PART ONE

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

2.1 LAND COVER

The definition of land cover is fundamental, because in many existing classifications and
legends it is confused with land use:
Land cover is the observed (bio)physical cover on the earths surface.
When considering land cover in a very pure and strict sense, it should be confined to
the description of vegetation and man-made features. Consequently, areas where the
surface consists of bare rock or bare soil are land itself rather than land cover. Also, it is
disputable whether water surfaces are real land cover. However, in practice, the scientific
community usually includes these features within the term land cover.

C O N C E P T S

2.2 LAND USE

Land use is characterized by the arrangements, activities and inputs people undertake in a
certain land cover type to produce, change or maintain it. Definition of land use in this way
establishes a direct link between land cover and the actions of people in their environment.
The following examples are a further illustration of the above definitions:
grassland is a cover term, while rangeland or tennis court refer to the use of
a grass cover; and
recreation area is a land use term that may be applicable to different land cover
types: for instance sandy surfaces, like a beach; a built-up area like a pleasure park;
woodlands; etc.
2.3 CLASSIFICATION AND LEGEND
Classification is an abstract representation of the situation in the field using well-defined
diagnostic criteria: the classifiers (Figures 2.1 and 2.2). Sokal (1974) defined it as: the
ordering or arrangement of objects into groups or sets on the basis of their relationships.
A classification describes the systematic framework with the names of the classes and the
criteria used to distinguish them, and the relationship between classes. Classification thus
requires the definition of class boundaries, which should be clear, precise, possibly
quantitative, and based upon objective criteria.
A classification should therefore be:
scale independent, meaning that the classes should be applicable at any scale or level
of detail; and
source independent, implying that it is independent of the means used to collect
information, whether it be through satellite imagery, aerial photography, field
survey or using a combination of sources.

]
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FIGURE 2.2

Abstract presentation of a classification

consisting of a continuum with two gradients

Concrete situation in the field

in a particular area

(Source: from Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988)

(Source: from Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988)

L
1

FIGURE 2.1

Circles and triangles in blue and white

representing the actual situation

10

A legend is the application of a classification in a specific area using a defined mapping

scale and specific data set (Figure 2.3). Therefore a legend may contain only a proportion,
or sub-set, of all possible classes of the classification. Thus, a legend is:
scale and cartographic representation dependent (e.g. occurrence of mixed mapping
units if the elements composing this unit are too small to be delineated
independently); and
data and mapping methodology dependent (e.g. an aerial photograph shows
different features from a satellite false colour composite image).
2.4 HIERARCHICAL VERSUS NON-HIERARCHICAL SYSTEMS
Classification systems come in two basic formats, hierarchical and non-hierarchical. Most
systems are hierarchically structured because such a classification offers more consistency
owing to its ability to accommodate different levels of information, starting with
structured broad-level classes, which allow further systematic subdivision into more
detailed sub-classes. At each level the defined classes are mutually exclusive. At the higher
levels of the classification system few diagnostic criteria are used, whereas at the lower
levels the number of diagnostic criteria increases. Criteria used at one level of the
classification should not be repeated at another lower level.

DEFINITIONS

PART ONE

FIGURE 2.3

Legend as application of a classification in a particular area

> 50 m
100%

30 m

>5m

33

50%

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

DEFINED
GEOGRAPHIC
AREA

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Given scale and

data type

78
83
97 98

10%

99 100

Derived legend

C O N C E P T S

2.5 A PRIORI AND A POSTERIORI SYSTEMS

Classification can be done in two ways: either a priori or a posteriori (Figure 2.4). In an a
priori classification system, the classes are abstract conceptualizations of the types actually
occurring. The approach is based upon definition of classes before any data collection
actually takes place. Thus all possible combinations of diagnostic criteria must be dealt
with beforehand in the classification. Basically, in the field, each sample plot is identified
and labelled according to the classification adopted. This method is used extensively in
plant taxonomy and soil science, such as The Revised Legend of the Soil Map of the World
(FAO, 1988) and the USDA Soil Taxonomy (SCS, 1975). The main advantage is that classes
are standardized independent of the area and the means used. The disadvantage, however,
is that this method is rigid, as some of the field samples may not be easily assignable to one
of the pre-defined classes.
A posteriori classification differs fundamentally by its direct approach and its freedom
from preconceived notions. The approach is based upon definition of classes after
clustering the field samples collected. An example is the Braun-Blanquet method, used in
vegetation science. This is a floristic classification approach using the total species
combination to cluster samples in sociological groups (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).
The advantage of this type of classification is its flexibility and adaptability compared with

FIGURE 2.4

Example of an a priori (left) and an a posteriori (right) classification of a concrete

situation in the field
(Source: Adapted from Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988)

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the implicit rigidity of an a priori classification. The a posteriori approach implies a

minimum of generalization. This type of classification better fits the collected field
observations in a specific area. At the same time, however, because an a posteriori
classification depends on the specific area described and is adapted to local conditions, it is
unable to define standardized classes. Clustering of samples to define the classes can only
be done after data collection and the relevance of certain criteria in a certain area may be
limited when used elsewhere or in ecologically different regions.

CONCRETE FIELD SITUATION

Example of a very
general a priori
classification based
on four classes
(triangle in blue and
white and circle in
blue and white)
representing the
field situation on
the right.
Due to the
generalization of
the classes, the user
is obliged to make
the best fit of one
of the hundred
possibilities in the
field into one of the
four classes, which
may result
in selecting a class
that does not
represent well the
actual situation.

Example of
a posteriori
classification.
The classes fit
better the actual
field situation but
the area described
is a portion of
the total.

C H A P T E R

THE CONCEPTUAL
BASIS

PART ONE

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

3.1 PROBLEMS WITH CURRENT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS

Despite the need for a standard classification system, none of the current classifications
have been internationally accepted (Danserau, 1961; Fosberg, 1961; Eiten, 1968;
UNESCO, 1973; Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg, 1974; Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988;
CEC, 1993; Duhamel, 1995). This is because often the land cover classes have been
developed for a specific purpose or scale and are therefore not suitable for other initiatives.
Furthermore, factors used in the classification system often result in an undesirable
mixture of potential and actual land cover (e.g. including climate as a parameter). The
reasons why none of the current classifications could serve as a reference system are
manifold, as will be explained below.

C O N C E P T S

3.1.1 Purpose
A proportion of the existing classifications are either vegetation classifications (e.g.
Danserau, 1961; Fosberg, 1961; Eiten, 1968; UNESCO 1973; Mueller-Dombois and
Ellenberg, 1974; Anderson et al., 1976; Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988), broad land cover
classifications, or systems related to the description of a specific feature (e.g. agricultural
areas). Thus, they are limited in their capacity to define the whole range of possible land
cover classes. An illustration is the UNESCO Vegetation Classification (designed to serve
primarily for vegetation maps at a scale of 1:1 000 000), which considers only natural
vegetation, while all other vegetated areas, such as cultivated areas and urban vegetated
areas, are ignored. Other vegetation classifications, even if they consider agricultural areas,
do not describe these classes with the same level of detail as that used for the natural
vegetation areas. In contrast, systems used to describe agricultural areas give very few
details in their description of natural vegetation.
Many systems have been developed for a certain purpose, at a certain scale, and using a
certain data type, such as the IGBP-DISCover global 1 km data set based on the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Advanced Very High Resolution
Radiometer (NOAA-AVHRR). Hence the derived classes are strictly dependent on the
means used (e.g. in the last-named example, the classes will be only those that can be
detected using NOAA-AVHRR).
Many current classification systems are not suitable for mapping and subsequent
monitoring purposes. The use of the type of diagnostic criteria and their hierarchical
arrangement to form a class is very often in conflict with the ability to define a clear
boundary between two classes. For monitoring, land cover changes take two forms:

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conversion from one category to another (e.g. from forest to grassland), and modification
of conditions within one category (e.g. from cultivated area to intensively cultivated area).
The broader and fewer the categories used to describe land cover, the fewer the instances of
conversion from one to another. If land cover classes are as broad as forest and woodland,
arable land and permanent meadows and pastures (from the FAO Production
Yearbook) then forest fragmentation, shifts from rainfed to irrigated cultivated areas and
less dense grass cover due to overgrazing will be registered as neither conversion nor
modification. A multi-user-oriented classification system should capture both.
3.1.2 Consistency
In most current classifications, the criteria used to derive classes are not systematically
applied. Often, the use of different ranges of values depends on the importance given by
the user to a particular feature (e.g. in many systems the cover ranges to distinguish treedominated areas are many, whereas only one single cover range is used to define shrub- or
grass- dominated areas).
In some classifications the class definition is imprecise, ambiguous or absent. This means
that these systems fail to provide internal consistency. An example is the frequency with
which classes in the CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) Land
Cover system overlap with other classes elsewhere in the same classification (CEC, 1993).
In most systems, the full combination of diagnostic elements describing a class is not
considered, e.g. a system that describes vegetation with the diagnostic criteria of three
ranges of cover matched with three ranges of height must consistently apply these ranges
for all life forms considered. The reason why most systems fail in application of this basic
classification rule is that the entire set of permutations of the possible classifiers would lead
to a vast number of classes that cannot be handled with the current methods of class
description. Thus, in the example above, if there were 10 classes of each, the result would
be 100 combinations. Therefore, the current systems often leave gaps in the systematic
application of the diagnostic criteria used.
Very often the systems contain a number of classes, which, due to their interrelation
and hierarchical structure, appear to be a proportion of a broader set of classes. Thus, these
types of systems are mere legends. The characteristic of legends is that only a proportion
or sub-set of the entire range of possible classes is described. Such legends have the
disadvantage that the user cannot refer back to a classification system, which precludes
comparisons with other systems.
Threshold values are very often derived from knowledge of a specific geographic area,
so that elsewhere the class boundary definition between two classes may become unclear,
due to overlaps or gaps. In these cases, any comparisons will be impossible or inaccurate.
3.1.3 Underlying common principle
An underlying common principle has not often been defined in land cover classification.
A mixture of different features is used to define a class, especially features such as climate,
geology, soil type and landform (thus, in tropical rain forest the term tropical, which

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

is usually climate related, is used to describe a certain floristic composition). Features such
as climate, geology and landform influence land cover but are not inherent features of it.
This type of combination is frequently found and is often applied in an irregular way, with
no hierarchy. This may lead to ambiguity in the definition of the class.
Classification of vegetation using the diagnostic criteria of height and cover will
lead to a different perspective of the same feature in comparison with the use of leaf
phenology and leaf type (Figure 3.1). It is therefore important to come to a basic
understanding of the criteria to be used as underlying principles for land cover description.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

FIGURE 3.1

Example of description of a land cover using a different underlying principle

LEAF

HEIGHT

30 m
3

> 5 m evergreen

mixed

deciduous
aphyllous

5
1

broadleaved
(very small)

50%

10%

LEAF

COVER

needle
leaved

TYPE

100%

C O N C E P T S

> 50 m

PHENOLOGY

23
97 98

99 100

N A T U R A L

SPECIFIC

24

25

broadleaved
(very large)

V E G E TAT I O N

GEOGRAPIC

AREA

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3.1.4 A priori classification systems

In an a priori classification system classes are pre-arranged. The use of such a classification
assumes that all possible classes can be derived, independent of scale and tools used, from
the system. Having all classes pre-defined in the system is the intrinsic rigidity of an a
priori classification system. The advantage of such a system is mainly that it is the most
effective way to produce standardization of classification results among user communities.
The disadvantage is that to be able to describe consistently any land cover occurring
anywhere in the world, one needs an enormous number of pre-defined classes. Such a
system should be flexible in the sense that any occurring land cover can be accommodated.
How can one introduce this type of flexibility while using the classical approach of class
names and descriptions?
This can be achieved by increasing the number of classes in an a priori system, but the
problem then arises of how the users will find their way through a jungle of class names
(Figure 3.2). Furthermore, this situation makes standardization more difficult to attain, as
every user may have a slightly different opinion on how to interpret some classes because the
class boundary definitions between classes will be based on very slight, subjective differences.
The wrong, or different, designation of the same land cover feature among various
classes will undermine the standardization process that is one of the primary objectives of
the classification system. Ultimately, the attempt to harmonize will fail. The a priori
classification approach appears to be a vicious circle: the attempt to create this type of
classification as a tool for standardization obliges one to accommodate the enormous
variety of occurring land cover in a limited number of more generic classes, while the
endeavour to create more classes increases the danger of lack of standardization, thus
sabotaging the basic principle forming the starting premise.
The above illustrates that there is not as much compatibility between classification
systems, or between classification and legend, as may be desired. There are numerous
inconsistencies in definition of classes, class boundaries, in the use of threshold values, etc.
However useful the current classifications may be, these factors limit the possibility of
using these methods on a broad range of applications.
In the context of developing a new system, it is fundamental to identify the criteria to
which any reference classification, to the extent possible, should adhere (Box 3.1).
FIGURE 3.2

INCREASING NUMBER OF CLASSES

Problem of the current a priori classifications in relation to their flexibility

10

H I G H level of standardization

L O W flexbility

UNDERSTANDABLE LIST OF CLASS NAMES

LIMITED NUMBER OF GENERIC CLASSES

ENORMOUS LIST OF CLASS NAMES WITH

UNCLEAR OR TOO NARROW CLASS BOUNDARY

ADEQUATE NUMBER OF DETAILED CLASSES

L O W level of standardization

H I G H flexbility

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

BOX 3.1

GENERAL CRITERIA FOR A REFERENCE CLASSIFICATION

The reference classification should be:
comprehensive, scientifically sound and practically oriented;
capable of meeting the needs of a variety of users (neither single-project
oriented nor taking a sectoral approach); users can use just sub-sets of the
classification and develop them to their own specific needs;
potentially applicable as a common reference system and facilitating

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

comparisons between classes derived from different classifications;

a flexible system that can be used at different scales and at different levels
of detail, allowing cross-reference of local and regional maps with
continental and global maps without loss of information;
able to describe the complete range of land cover features (e.g. forest and
cultivated areas as well as ice and bare land, etc.), with clear class boundary
definitions that are unambiguous and unique;
adapted to fully describe the whole variety of land cover types with the
minimum set of classifiers necessary (the fewer the classifiers used in the
definitions, the less the error expected and the less time and resources

C O N C E P T S

necessary for field validation); and

based on a clear and systematic description of the class, where the diagnostic
criteria used to define a class must be clearly defined, with pure land cover
criteria distinct from environmental criteria (e.g. climate, floristic and
altitude), as the latter influence land cover but are not inherent features of it.

3.2 THE BASIS FOR A NEW APPROACH

3.2.1 Definition adopted for land cover
The common integrated approach adopted here defines land cover as the observed
(bio)physical cover on the earths surface (see Section 2.1, above), but, in addition, it is
emphasized that land cover must be considered a geographically explicit feature that
other disciplines may use as a geographical reference (e.g. for land use, climatic or
ecological studies).
Land is a basic source of mass and energy throughput in all terrestrial ecosystems, and
land cover and land use represent the integrating elements of the resource base. Land cover,
being the expression of human activities, changes with modifications in these activities.
Therefore, land cover as a geographically explicit feature can form a reference basis for
other disciplines.

11

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3.2.2 New approach to classification

3.2.2.1 Increasing flexibility while maintaining mappability
To create a standardized, hierarchical, consistent, a priori classification system containing
systematic and strict class boundary definitions implies the basic requirement of having to
build flexibility into the classification system. In this context, flexibility can have various
meanings. First of all, flexibility should address the potential for the classification system
to describe enough classes to cope with the real world. At the same time, however,
flexibility should adhere to strict class boundary definitions that should be unambiguous
and clear. In addition, the classes in such a system should be as neutral as possible in the
description of a land cover feature in order to answer to the needs of a wide variety of endusers and disciplines.
Many current classification systems are not generally suitable for mapping, and
subsequent monitoring, purposes. The integrated approach requires clear distinction of
class boundaries. Furthermore, the use of diagnostic criteria and their hierarchical
arrangement to form a class should be a function of the mappability, i.e. the ability to
define a clear boundary between two classes. Hence, diagnostic criteria should be
hierarchically arranged in order to assure at the highest levels of the classification a high
degree of geographical accuracy.
How does one increase the classification systems flexibility while maintaining the
principle of mappability and aiming at standardization? These prerequisites can only be
accomplished if the classification has the possibility of generating a high number of classes
with clear boundary definitions. In other words, it should be possible to delineate a large
number of classes in order to match the enormous variation of land cover features, while
maintaining the clear distinction of class boundaries. In current classification systems this
possibility is hampered by the manner in which these classifications are set up. Differences
between classes can only be derived from class descriptions. Therefore, it would be very
difficult for the user to distinguish between such classes just based upon class names or
unsystematic descriptions, as is the case with most of the current classification systems.
3.2.2.2 Basic principle
One of the basic principles adopted in the new approach is that a given land cover class is
defined by the combination of a set of independent diagnostic attributes, the so-called
classifiers. The increase of detail in the description of a land cover feature is linked to the
increase in the number of classifiers used. In other words, the more classifiers added, the
more detailed the class. The class boundary is then defined either by the different amount
of classifiers or by the presence of one or more different types of classifiers. Thus, emphasis
is no longer on the class name, but on the set of classifiers used to define this class.
3.2.2.3 Issues impeding application of the new approach
The straightforward application of this approach is hampered by two main factors. First,
land cover should describe the whole observable (bio)physical environment and therefore
deals with a heterogeneous set of classes. Obviously, a forest is best defined using a set of

12

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

classifiers that differ from those used to describe snow-covered areas. Instead of using the
same set of classifiers to describe such heterogeneous features, in the new approach the
classifiers are tailored to each land cover feature. According to the general concept of an a
priori classification, it is fundamental to the system that all the combinations of the
classifiers must be created in the system. By tailoring the set of classifiers to the land cover
feature, all combinations can be made without having a tremendous number of theoretical
but redundant combinations of classifiers. Secondly, two distinct land cover features,
having the same set of classifiers to describe them, may differ in the hierarchical
arrangement of these classifiers in order to ensure high mappability.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

3.2.3 Land Cover Classification System design criteria

Land cover classes are defined by a string of classifiers, but due to the heterogeneity of land
cover, and with the aim of achieving a logical and functional hierarchical arrangement of
the classifiers, certain design criteria have been applied.
The Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) has two main phases (Figure 3.3).
The initial Dichotomous Phase, has eight major land cover types:
Cultivated and Managed Terrestrial Areas
Natural and Semi-Natural Terrestrial Vegetation
Cultivated Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Areas
Natural and Semi-Natural Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Vegetation
Artificial Surfaces and Associated Areas
Bare Areas
Artificial Waterbodies, Snow and Ice, and
Natural Waterbodies, Snow and Ice.
This is followed by a subsequent so-called Modular-Hierarchical Phase, in which land
cover classes are created by the combination of sets of pre-defined classifiers. These
classifiers are tailored to each of the eight major land cover types.
The tailoring of classifiers in the second Phase allows the use of most appropriate
classifiers to define land cover classes derived from the major land cover types and at the
same time reduces the likelihood of impractical combinations of classifiers. This results in
a land cover class defined by:
a Boolean formula showing each classifier used (all classifiers are coded);
a unique number for use in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and
a name, which can be the standard name as supplied or a user-defined name.

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3.2.4 Dichotomous Phase

As stated above, a dichotomous key is used at the main level of classification to define the
major land cover classes (Figure 3.3). Each major land cover type is defined as shown in
Tables 3.1 to 3.3.
Three classifiers are used in the Dichotomous Phase, namely Presence of Vegetation,
Edaphic Condition and Artificiality of Cover. These three classifiers have been
hierarchically arranged, although independent of this arrangement the same eight major
land cover types would be keyed out. The hierarchical arrangement is thus not important
in this Phase, but is a guiding principle in the subsequent Modular-Hierarchical Phase.

14

3.2.5 Modular-Hierarchical Phase

In this phase the creation of the land cover class is given by the combination of a set of predefined pure land cover classifiers. This set of classifiers is different for each of the eight
main land cover types. This difference is due to the tailoring of the classifiers to their
respective type (Figure 3.4).
These pure land cover classifiers can be combined with so-called attributes for further
definition. Two types of attributes, which form separate levels in the classification, are
distinguished (see Figure 3.4 for two examples):
Environmental Attributes. These attributes (e.g. climate, landform, altitude, soils,
lithology, erosion) influence land cover but are not inherent features of it and should
not be confused with pure land cover classifiers. These attributes can be combined
in any user-defined order.
Specific Technical Attributes. These attributes refer to the technical discipline. Thus,
for (Semi-)Natural Vegetation, the Floristic Aspect can be added (e.g. the
methodology of how this information was collected, as well as a list of species); for
Cultivated Areas, the Crop Type can be added, either according to broad categories
commonly used in statistics or by crop species; and for Bare Soil, the Soil Type
according to the FAO/UNESCO Revised Soil Legend can be added. These
attributes can be added freely to the pure land cover class without any conditions.
The user is obliged to start with the pure land cover classifiers. However, at any time
the user can stop dependent upon the level of detail required and derive a land cover
class (Table 3.4). Further definition of this class can be achieved by adding a single or a
combination of any of the other types of attributes. These attributes are not hierarchically
ordered and selection of them will generate a separate coded string.

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

TABLE 3.1

Distinction at the main dichotomous level

Classifiers used

Land Cover Class Name and Description

DICHOTOMOUS PHASE: INITIAL-LEVEL DISTINCTION
A. Primarily Vegetated Areas
This class applies to areas that have a vegetative cover of at least
4% for at least two months of the year. This cover may consist of
Woody life forms (Trees, Shrubs), Herbaceous life forms (e.g. Forbs,
and Graminoids) or a combination of them, or consist of life forms
of Lichens/Mosses (only when other life forms are absent). A
separate cover condition exists for Lichens/Mosses that can be only
applied if this life form contributes at least 25% to the total
vegetative cover (see Appendix A: Glossary).

Presence of Vegetation:
Primarily
non-vegetated

B. Primarily Non-Vegetated Areas

This class includes areas that have a total vegetative cover of less
than 4% for at least 10 months of the year, or an absence of
Woody or Herbaceous life forms and with less than 25% cover of
Lichens/Mosses

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

Presence of Vegetation:
Primarily vegetated

C O N C E P T S

TABLE 3.2

Distinctions at the second level

Land Cover Class Name and Description

Classifiers used

DICHOTOMOUS PHASE: SECOND-LEVEL DISTINCTION

Primarily vegetated
Edaphic Condition:
Terrestrial

A1. Terrestrial Primarily Vegetated Areas

The vegetation is influenced by the edaphic substratum.

Primarily non-vegetated
Edaphic Condition:
Terrestrial

B1. Terrestrial Primarily Non-Vegetated Areas

The cover is influenced by the edaphic substratum.

Primarily vegetated
Edaphic Condition:
Aquatic or regularly
flooded

A2. Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Primarily Vegetated Areas

The environment is significantly influenced by the presence of
water over extensive periods of time. The water is the dominant
factor determining natural soil development and the type of plant
communities living on its surface. Includes marshes, swamps, bogs
and all areas where water is present for a substantial period
regularly every year. This class includes floating vegetation.

Primarily non-vegetated
Edaphic Condition:
Aquatic or
regularly flooded

B2. Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Primarily Non-Vegetated Areas

The environment is significantly influenced by the presence of
water over an extensive period of time each year.

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Distinction at the third level of the dichotomous phase into eight major land cover types

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TABLE 3.3

Land Cover Class Name and Description

DICHOTOMOUS PHASE: TERTIARY-LEVEL DISTINCTION

Primarily vegetated Terrestrial

Artificiality of Cover:
Artificial/managed

A11. Cultivated and Managed Terrestrial Areas

This class refers to areas where the natural vegetation has been
removed or modified and replaced by other types of vegetative
cover of anthropogenic origin. This vegetation is artificial and
requires human activities to maintain it in the long term. In between
the human activities, or before starting crop cultivation, the surface
can be temporarily without vegetative cover. Its seasonal
phenological appearance can be regularly modified by humans (e.g.
tillage, harvest, and irrigation). All vegetation that is planted or
cultivated with an intent to harvest is included in this class (e.g.
wheat fields, orchards, rubber and teak plantations).

Primarily vegetated Terrestrial

Artificiality of Cover:
(Semi-)natural

A12. Natural and Semi-Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetated areas are defined as areas where the vegetative
cover is in balance with the abiotic and biotic forces of its biotope.
Semi-natural vegetation is defined as vegetation not planted by
humans but influenced by human actions. These may result from
grazing, possibly overgrazing the natural phytocenoses, or else from
practices such as selective logging in a natural forest whereby the
floristic composition has been changed. Previously-cultivated areas
that have been abandoned and where vegetation is regenerating
are also included. The secondary vegetation developing during the
fallow period of shifting cultivation is a further example. The human
disturbance may be deliberate or inadvertent. Hence semi-natural
vegetation includes vegetation due to human influences but which
has recovered to such an extent that species composition and
environmental and ecological processes are indistinguishable from,
or in a process of achieving, its undisturbed state. The vegetative
cover is not artificial, in contrast to classes A11 and A24, and it does
not need human action to be maintained in the long term.

Aquatic or Regularly Flooded

Artificiality of Cover:
Artificial/managed

A23. Cultivated Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Areas

This class includes areas where an aquatic crop is purposely planted,
cultivated and harvested and which is standing in water over
extensive periods during its cultivation period (e.g. paddy rice, tidal
rice and deepwater rice). In general, it is the emerging part of the
plant that is fully or partly harvested. Other plants (e.g. for
purification of water) are free-floating. They are not harvested but
they are maintained. This class excludes irrigated cultivated areas.

Classifiers used

16

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

A24. Natural and Semi-Natural Aquatic or Regularly Flooded

Vegetation
This class describes areas that are transitional between pure terrestrial and aquatic systems and where the water table is usually at or
near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. The
predominant vegetation, at least periodically, comprises
hydrophytes. Marshes, swamps, bogs or flats where drastic
fluctuations in water level or high concentration of salts may
prevent the growth of hydrophytes are all part of this class. The
vegetative cover is significantly influenced by water and dependent
on flooding (e.g. mangroves, marshes, swamps and aquatic beds).
Occasionally-flooded vegetation within a terrestrial environment is
not included in this class. Natural Vegetated Aquatic habitats are
defined as biotopes where the vegetative cover is in balance with
the influence of biotic and abiotic forces. Semi-Natural Aquatic
vegetation is defined as vegetation that is not planted by humans
but which is influenced directly by human activities that are
undertaken for other, unrelated purposes. Human activities (e.g.
urbanization, mining and agriculture) may influence abiotic factors
(e.g. water quality), affecting species composition. Furthermore, this
class includes vegetation that developed due to human activities but
which has recovered to such an extent that it is indistinguishable
from its former state or which has built up a new biotope which is in
balance with the present environmental conditions. A distinction
between Natural and Semi-Natural Aquatic Vegetation is not always
possible because human activities distant to the habitat may create
chain reactions that ultimately disturb the aquatic vegetative cover.
Human activities may also take place deliberately to compensate for
disruptive effects with the aim of keeping a natural state.

Primarily non-vegetated
Terrestrial
Artificiality of Cover:
Artificial/managed

B15. Artificial Surfaces and Associated Areas

This class describes areas that have an artificial cover as a result of
human activities such as construction (cities, towns, transportation),
extraction (open mines and quarries) or waste disposal.

Primarily non-vegetated
Terrestrial
Artificiality of Cover:
(Semi-)natural

B16. Bare Areas

This class describes areas that do not have an artificial cover as a
result of human activities. These areas include areas with less
than 4% vegetative cover. Included are bare rock areas, sands
and deserts.

Primarily non-vegetated
Aquatic or Regularly Flooded
Artificiality of Cover:
Artificial/managed

B27. Artificial Waterbodies, Snow and Ice

This class applies to areas that are covered by water due to the
construction of artefacts such as reservoirs, canals, artificial lakes,
etc. Without these, the area would not be covered by water, snow
or ice.

Primarily non-vegetated
Aquatic or Regularly Flooded
Artificiality of Cover:
(Semi-)natural

B28. Natural Waterbodies, Snow and Ice

This class refers to areas that are naturally covered by water, such
as lakes, rivers, snow or ice. In the case of rivers, the lack of
vegetation cover is often due to high flow rates and/or steep
banks. In the case of lakes, their geological origin affects the life
conditions for aquatic vegetation. The following circumstances
might cause water surfaces to be without vegetation cover: depth,
rocky basins, rocky and/or steep shorelines, infertile washed-in
material, hard and coarse substrates.

C O N C E P T S

Primarily vegetated Aquatic

or Regularly Flooded
Artificiality of Cover:
(Semi-)natural

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

Land Cover Class Name and Description

PART ONE

Classifiers used

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Overview of the Land Cover Classification System, its two phases and the classifiers

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FIGURE 3.3

18

DICHOTOMOUS PHASE

MODULAR-HIERARCHICAL PHASE

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

FIGURE 3.4

The Modular-Hierarchical Phase

I
I
II

II

III
IV
V
VI

III

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

pure
land cover
classifiers

IV

environmental
attributes

V
VI

specific
technical
attributes

VII

C O N C E P T S

Example of tailoring of the classifiers and attributes for Cultivated and Managed Terrestrial Lands
(left) and Natural and Semi-Natural Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Vegetation (on the right).

Since the classification is suitable for mapping purposes, the system gives high priority to
mappability and the user needs to follow specific rules:
A higher level of land cover classifier must be used before going to a lower level
(because mappability is high at higher levels and decreases with lower levels).
The modifiers, which refine the classifier further, are optional and do not necessarily
need to be determined.
All land cover classifiers at one level of the classification have to be determined
before the system allows one to go to the next level.
At any time inside a land cover classifier level the user can stop, and a mutually
exclusive class is defined.
All land cover classes defined in such a way are hierarchically arranged in the
Legend (see Legend Module).
At any time the user can further define the land cover class using environmental or
specific technical attributes, alone or in combination. These attributes will add a
second, separate code to the land cover class because they are not inherent features
of land cover.
Each land cover class is defined by a Boolean formula (i.e. a combination of the
classifiers used), a unique code (numerical) and a name (nomenclature).

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Example of the formation of land cover classes

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TABLE 3.4

Classifiers used

Boolean formula

Standard class name

Code

Life form and cover

A3A10

Closed forest

20005

Height

A3A10B2

High closed forest

20006

Spatial distribution

A3A10B2C1

Continuous closed forest

20007

Leaf type

A3A10B2C1D1

Broad-leaved closed forest

20095

Leaf phenology

A3A10B2C1D1E2

Broad-leaved deciduous forest

20097

2nd layer: LF, C, H

A3A10B2C1D1E2F2F5F7G2

Multi-layered broad-leaved
deciduous forest

20628

3rd layer: LF, C, H

A3A10B2C1D1E2F2F5F7G2

Multi-layer broad-leaved
deciduous forest with emergents

20630

EXAMPLE: NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION (A12)

3.3 WORKING WITH THE LCCS MODE FUNCTION

The LCCS Mode function allows the user to skip the dichotomous phase for the classes
belonging to primarily vegetated areas. This function has been added in recognition that
for some specific mapping applications it is not feasible to separate Terrestrial from
Aquatic and/or Artificial from Natural/Semi-Natural Vegetation. The software allows the
user to work in five different mode functions:
Mode 0 This is the default mode and it will indicate that the user has previously gone
through the dichotomous phase to build up the class using the classifier combination.
Mode 1 Here the user skips the division between terrestrial and aquatic in the
dichotomous phase. The activation of the skip button at this stage will allow the user to
access the modular hierarchical phase only for Terrestrial Cultivated and Managed Areas,
and Semi-Natural Vegetation (See Figure 3.5).
All the classes of Cultivated and Managed Land and/or Semi-Natural/Natural
Vegetation generated under this mode function will therefore have no differentiation
between edaphic conditions (Terrestrial or Aquatic Regularly Flooded)

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THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

FIGURE 3.5

Mode 1 occurs when the buttons shown in the figure are selected

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

Mode 2 Here the user selects the Primarily Vegetated and Terrestrial options. The
second skip button can then be activated which allows the user to omit the differentiation
between Cultivated and Managed Terrestrial Area(s) and Natural and Semi-Natural
Terrestrial Vegetation. With Mode 2 setting there is only access to the modular hierarchical
phase from Terrestrial Natural/Semi-Natural Vegetation (See Figure 3.6). That means that
all classes of Terrestrial Natural/Semi-Natural Vegetation generated with this mode
function will not be differentiated according to the artificiality of vegetation.
FIGURE 3.6

Mode 2 activation

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Mode 3 This is similar to Mode 2, with the exception that in the upper part of the
dichotomous phase the Aquatic or Regularly Flooded alternative has been selected
instead of the Terrestrial option. This allows access to the modular hierarchical phase only
from Aquatic/Regularly Flooded Natural/Semi-Natural Vegetation (See Figure 3.7).

22

FIGURE 3.7

Mode 3 activation

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

Mode 4 Here both skip buttons in the dichotomous phase are activated, thereby
skipping the division between Terrestrial Aquatic or Regularly Flooded and Cultivated
and Managed Terrestrial Area(s) Natural and Semi-Natural Terrestrial Vegetation. This
will allow access to the modular hierarchical phase only from Terrestrial SemiNatural/Natural Vegetation (See Figure 3.8).

FIGURE 3.8

Mode 4 activation

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

A legend can be set up combining classes built up in different mode functions. The
mode type used is added automatically to the LCCS GIS code and to the classifier
sequence. (See Figure 3.9 and 3.10)
The activation of the LCCS cartographic standard (mixed units) can be done in any
LCCS mode function. However, to form a mixed unit (example A/B), the user has to
remain in the same mode function.

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Land Cover Class window showing what a class description will look like when Mode
function is used

FIGURE 3.9

FIGURE 3.10

Display Legend window showing a class defined in Mode function

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THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

3.4 CONCEPTS FOR PRIMARILY VEGETATED AREAS

There are different ways of making an orderly arrangement of the Primarily Vegetated
Areas, with varying success according to region or purpose. Vegetation has a multitude of
properties and features and a certain degree of abstraction is required when classifying.
However, agreement could be reached on selection of a relatively small number of
diagnostic criteria to identify plant communities.
Plant communities, or phytocenoses, are characterized by two important features:
all plant communities consist of growth forms; and
all plant communities consist of plant species.
This applies to all phytocenoses on earth (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988). Growth
forms (e.g. trees, shrubs, herbaceous, etc.) are so important that various vegetation
scientists have used them as criteria for classification (Danserau, 1961; Mueller-Dombois
and Ellenberg, 1974). The growth forms are distributed within the plant community in
layers or strata. This stratification is common and the distinction of the individual strata is
of fundamental importance when analysing the plant community. Plant communities are
not limited to vertical arrangement into layers: they are also arranged horizontally (i.e. the
horizontal spatial distribution).
Thus, when observing plant communities and considering their growth forms, two
factors are fundamental:
physiognomy, the overall appearance of the vegetation; and
vegetation structure, which is defined as the spatial distribution pattern of growth
forms in a plant community (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988). The structure, then,
describes the individual strata, usually characterized by height and density or
coverage of the respective growth forms.
At the same time, a plant community consists of taxa (botanical species) that are usually
unevenly distributed insofar as some may be common, or dominant, while others are less
conspicuous. The component taxa can be used to describe the plant community as well as
the structure. A description using taxa is called floristic composition of the plant
community. The floristic composition usually contains all species, though it is unusual to
include the rare or incidental ones.
The various existing classification systems have emphasized one or other of the above
(e.g. physiognomic-structural systems; floristic systems and physiognomic-floristic
systems). There is no doubt that a full description of a plant community must consider
both physiognomic-structural and floristic aspects. A phytocenose can have the same
structural aspect but different floristic composition, as well as the same floristic
composition but a different structural aspect. However, problems arise when attempting to
incorporate both types of information in a single classification system.
In LCCS, Natural and Semi-Natural Vegetation, both in the Terrestrial Areas (A12)
and Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Areas (A24), is classified using a pure physiognomicstructural method. The parameters considered are: (1) physiognomy; (2) vertical and
horizontal arrangement; (3) leaf type; and (4) leaf phenology of plants. This concept has
been adopted with the conviction that only a pure structural representation of vegetation

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

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is able to incorporate, without any confusion of terms, floristic aspects of vegetation as

well as environmental attributes (e.g. landform, climate, altitude, etc.). The proposed
classification allows the user to add freely these attributes at any level of the structural land
cover class created.
Users not familiar with classical vegetation classification and mapping (Eiten, 1968;
UNESCO, 1973; White, 1983; Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988) or ecological studies should
be able to build up a scientifically sound vegetation classification by following the Land
Cover Classification System. This will avoid the separation between classical vegetation
classification and land cover classification. A variety of users should be able to apply the
results of the classification, even those who are not specialized in vegetation mapping.
The physiognomic-structural approach selected for classification of vegetated areas in
a land cover classification system poses a challenge with regard to classification of
vegetated areas other than (semi-)natural vegetated areas, namely cultivated and urban
vegetated areas. These managed vegetated areas are also characterized by plant
communities having growth forms and taxa, a structure and a floristic composition.
Therefore, the physiognomic-structural approach adopted is equally applicable to such
areas. Using the same approach to describe and classify this type of area at a certain level
of detail has the advantage that all Primarily Vegetated Areas can be compared.

26

3.4.1 Natural and Semi-Natural Vegetation (A12 and A24)

General rules for classification
Before starting to use the classifiers, the user has to take into account some basic rules
governing the concepts of classification of (Semi-)Natural Vegetation, namely:
the definition of Life Form, and
the definition of dominance.
These two main aspects are very important and must be carefully determined because
in the software the determination of main Life Form has consequences for the options
available at subsequent levels. Certain choices at a high level of the system may disable
choices at lower levels.
Life Form of a plant is defined by its physiognomic aspect: Woody Life Forms are
distinguished from Herbaceous Life Forms and from Lichens/Mosses Life Forms.
The Woody Life Form is subdivided into Trees and Shrubs. A condition of Height
is applied to separate Trees and Shrubs. Plants higher than 5 m are classified as
Trees. In contrast, plants lower than 5 m are classified as Shrubs. These general
rules are subjected to the following exception: a plant with a clear physiognomic
aspect of trees can be classified as Trees even if the Height is lower than 5 m but
more than 3 m. In this case, a sub-condition of physiognomic aspect is added to the
Height condition.
A special class, called Woody, had been created for plants included into the 2-7 m range,
when no further definition into Tree or Shrubs is specified. The Woody class can be
applied basically in two cases: the vegetation is an intricate mixture of both trees and
shrubs which cannot be distinguished and with height included in the 2-7 m range;

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

the user is not interested in further subdivision into trees or shrubs or has no
information about it. If the user does not know if the vegetation is composed by
Trees or Shrubs, the use of mixed units is recommended (A//B).
These are the limits recommended for Life Form distinction, but exceptions are allowed:
Plants essentially herbaceous but with a woody appearance (e.g. bamboos and ferns)
are classified as Trees if the height is more than 5 m, and as Shrubs if the height is
less than 5 m.
Concerning the concept of dominance, two criteria need to be considered:
The main criterion is the uppermost canopy layer. This means that the dominant
layer goes from Woody Life Forms (Tree/Shrub or Woody canopy) to Herbaceous
Life Form (Forbs or Graminoids).
This general rule is subject to a sub-condition of Cover: It is only valid if the dominant
Life Form has a Cover either Closed or Open. If the Life Form is Sparse, the dominance
goes to another Life Form that has a Closed or Open cover (Figure 3.11).
When the user has decided these two main aspects, the building of classes can start.
The rules explained above show that in order to determine a (Semi-)Natural Vegetation
class, a minimum of three classifiers need to be selected:
Life Form
Cover
Height

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

FIGURE 3.11

Main structural vegetation domains

(Source: Di Gregorio and Jansen, 1996a).
trees

shrubs

herbaceous

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
main layer

CLOSED (forest)
TREES

TREES

closed

OPEN (woodland)

open
X

SHRUBS

CLOSED (thicket)

closed

SHRUBS

open

OPEN (shrubland)

X
HERBACEOUS

sparse to absent

closed to absent

sparse to absent

CLOSED TO OPEN

HERBACEOUS
closed to open

SPARSE
VEGETATION

DEPENDING ON
THE DOMINANT
LIFE FORM

closed to absent

sparse to absent

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These are the minimum elements required to form a Natural or Semi-Natural

Vegetated land cover class, for both Terrestrial and Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Areas.
Because Height (in its standard denotation) is automatically linked to the Life Form
chosen, the classifiers needed to be determined are actually two: Life Form and Cover.
3.4.1.1 Life Form and Cover
A Life Form is a group of plants having certain morphological features in common
(Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988). According to the quality of the main axis or shoots, a
further distinction is made into Woody Life Forms or Herbaceous Life Forms. For further
subdivision, the following growth form criteria can be applied:
Branching symmetry, subdividing Trees and Shrubs; and
Herbaceous plant physiognomy, subdividing Forbs from Graminoids (Strasburger
et al., 1983; Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988) and from Lichens/Mosses Life Forms.
The full definitions and guidelines for application can be found in Appendix A and in
the Glossary of the software.
Cover can be considered as the presence of a particular area of the ground, substrate or
water surface covered by a layer of plants considered at the greatest horizontal perimeter
level of each plant in the layer (according to Eiten, 1968). A distinction is made between
Closed (>6070 percent), Open (between 6070 and 1020 percent) and Sparse (<1020
percent but >1 percent). As herbaceous plants are seasonal in character, cover is always
assessed in terms of fullest development.
The reason for expressing cover in terms of ranges instead of absolute values is
discussed in the relevant guidelines of the software program and in Appendix A.
3.4.1.2 Height
The Height of a certain layer is measured from the ground to the average top of the life
form that is being examined (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988). The fact that single plants of
one synusia differ from the average height can be ignored, apart from the fact that they can
form their own layer (e.g. the emergents of a rainforest that tower above the rest). The
Height is classed as: Trees >303 m; Shrubs 30.3 m; and Herbaceous 30.03 m. Each
class can be further subdivided.
The major Height classes are linked to the Life Form selected. These classes provide
general information regarding height because, in the concept of the classification, this
criterion has not been given a prevalent importance. The user can choose to remain at this
generic level or to go to the modifiers, whereupon the importance of height increases.
In the case of Shrubs or Herbaceous (Forbs or Graminoids) life forms, it is strongly
recommended not to remain at the level of the standard definition of Height, if this is
possible, but instead to select one of the modifiers. The ecological significance of these life
forms can be strongly correlated with height (e.g. separation between low and tall herbs or
between dwarf and high shrubs is important when considering the potential for
grazing/rangeland).

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THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

3.4.1.3 Spatial Distribution or Macropattern

The next classifier that can be applied is the Macropattern. It is defined as the horizontal
spatial distribution of vegetation in a certain area. It should not be confused with Cover
because that defines the spatial arrangement of Life Forms (e.g. trees, shrubs, etc.).
Macropattern describes the spatial arrangement of specific structural vegetation types (e.g.
Closed Forest, Closed Shrubs). This classifier may seem unusual, but there are good reasons
for having it:
Often the Macropattern reflects an ecological or an evolutionary aspect of
vegetation (e.g. scattered vegetation in arid areas; agricultural encroachment inside
forest areas; degradation due to overgrazing). In many classifications, one finds
terms that are extremely subjective, like Degraded Forest or similar. The present
classification aims to be neutral in its land cover description and avoids ambiguous
terminology. Therefore Macropattern is used as a neutral classifier to describe
vegetation status;
this classification has been built up for mapping purposes, therefore spatial
distribution of land cover is an important aspect; and
macropattern is easily detectable from remote sensing data (photographs and
imagery), i.e. it has good mappability.
Macropattern should thus be used to give supplementary ecological information (or to
show a human-induced degradational aspect of natural vegetation).
Macropattern is a concept closely linked with scale, therefore its inclusion in a
classification system (that should consider only scale-independent parameters) can
introduce ambiguities in application. In addition it is relevant for a very specialized group
of users (vegetation ecologists), who are more familiar with this concept.
For these reasons, in version 2 of LCCS, Macropattern is not an active part of the
classifiers sequence and can only be utilized after the activation of the specific button.
The combinations between Cover and Macropattern are unrestricted (this is
nevertheless only valid for Closed and/or Open Cover, as will be explained later), which
means that, for instance, a Closed Tree formation (Closed Forest) can be either Continuous
or Fragmented depending on its spatial distribution in the mapping unit.
Due to this dimensional aspect, Macropattern is linked with the mapping scale. This
may seem to contradict the main classification concept explained above, namely that the
elements of a classification system must be scale independent. To determine Macropattern,
one should refer to the overall appearance of vegetation formation in a certain area in a
homogeneous landscape. However, if one wants to be more precise or objective in the
application of this classifier, some specific rules are given below to help to standardize the
interpretation. Since we are dealing with the practical application of this concept in a
cartographic context, the concepts of cartographic mixed units and minimum mappable
areas will be used. These concepts are further described in Section 3.8.
A certain structural vegetation type has a continuous Macropattern if, inside the
minimum mappable area, it covers more than 80 percent of the area.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

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A particular structural vegetation type would be considered a Fragmented Macropattern if,

inside the minimum mappable area, it covers more than 20 percent but less than 80 percent.
This situation is linked with the mixed-unit concept. Three cases are possible:
The structural vegetation type (e.g. dense forest) covers more than 50 percent of the
area and the other element (e.g. agricultural fields) covers less than 50 percent but
more than 20 percent. In this case the resulting unit will be a mixed unit with the
fragmented dense forest as the dominant class (e.g. fragmented dense
forest/agricultural fields).
The structural vegetation type (e.g. dense forest) covers less than 50 percent but
more than 20 percent of the area. The other element (e.g. agricultural fields) covers
more than 50 percent. In this case the class is also mixed, but the dominant class will
be the agricultural fields (i.e. agricultural fields/fragmented dense forest).
When a unit contains three elements (e.g. fragmented dense forest, agricultural fields
and bare areas) the rules for mixed units should be applied (see Section 3.8). In this
case it could be possible to have a structural vegetation type with a Fragmented
Macropattern as single unit. For example, fragmented dense forest, 70 percent;
agricultural fields, 15 percent; and bare areas, 15 percent. As neither of the
subsidiary elements reaches a cover exceeding 20 percent, the unit must be
considered a single mapping unit of fragmented dense forest. This is the only case
when a structural vegetation type with Fragmented Macropattern must be
considered as a single mapping unit. Even if theoretically possible, this case must be
considered as very unusual and therefore be avoided.
The Continuous or Fragmented classifiers are linked with the Cover, Closed or Open
(e.g. Closed Continuous Forest, Closed Fragmented Forest, Continuous Woodland or
Fragmented Woodland). Fragmentation can be further subdivided into Striped or Cellular
(e.g. the tiger bush in the Sahel, where Closed Shrubs are present in the inter-dunal areas,
which can be represented as Fragmented (Striped) Closed Shrubs).
The Parklike Patches Macropattern is directly linked with the cover category Sparse. In
effect, this is simply redundant information. When the user defines the cover of a certain
life form to be Sparse, the only Macropattern available for this structural vegetation type
is Parklike Patches.
The Macropattern concept is preferentially used for Woody Life Forms (Trees, Shrubs).
Herbaceous Life Forms (Graminoids, Forbs) can have a Macropattern, but this is
subordinated to the absence of Woody Life Forms. When linear patches of dense shrubs
(typical of tiger bush) are present together with dense herbaceous vegetation filling the space
between patches, one could have two different perspectives of this situation, either
Fragmented Shrubs/Herbaceous or Fragmented Herbaceous/Shrubs. In the application of the
Macropattern, the rule obliges the user to always give preference to the Woody Life Form
component. Macropattern can be applied to Herbaceous Life Forms only when there is no
significant presence of Woody Life Forms (Trees, Shrubs). For instance, patches of dense
herbaceous vegetation in sandy areas can be called fragmented herbaceous/sand.

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

A structural vegetation type is Fragmented when the sizes of the patches of the
vegetation are between 1/15 and 1/2 of the minimum mappable unit. This rule is a very
artificial one and should not be rigidly applied. Nevertheless, the rule assists the user by
providing some reference indicator of what a Fragmented Macropattern should look like.
If the patches become too small, at a certain level they could coincide with the life form
itself, thus contradicting the basic rule explained above, namely that Macropattern
describes the specific arrangement of structural vegetation types and must not be confused
with the cover of the life form.
If all the above-mentioned classifiers are determined, the user can enter the next level
and add a new set of information.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

3.4.1.4 Water Seasonality

For Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Natural and Semi-Natural Vegetation (A24), the second
level classifier consists of Water Seasonality. This classifier type can be described as the
persistence of the water at or near the surface. There are three subdivisions:
(Semi-)Permanent (three months a year or more than a specific season);
Temporary or Seasonal (less than three months a year or during a specific season), and
Waterlogged.

C O N C E P T S

3.4.1.5 Leaf Type and Leaf Phenology

This level consists of the classifiers Leaf Type and Leaf Phenology. This option is included
to allow user to opt for a basic physiognomic-structural vegetation classification but this
option can be skipped if preferred. The choice of the dominant Life Form will deactivate a
number of choices at this level as a consequence of the conditions of the classification.
The classifier Leaf Type is subdivided into:
Broadleaved: referring to trees and shrubs of the botanical group Angiospermae,
with the exception of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), that is broadleaved but belongs to the
Gymnospermae taxonomically.
Needleleaved: referring to trees and shrubs of the botanical group Gymnospermae
(Ford-Robertson, 1971) carrying typical needle-shaped leaves. Note that this category
includes all plants with needle-like leaves, even though they are not conifers.
Aphyllous: this category encompasses plants without any leaves and plants which
apparently do not have leaves in the common sense. In the first case, photosynthesis
takes place through other organs, such as stems, branches and twigs; in the latter
case the leaves are very short-lived or extremely reduced to scales and thorns.

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Leaf Phenology is determined from the general behaviour of woody plants throughout
the year. A distinction is made between evergreen and deciduous:
Evergreen: perennial plants that are never entirely without green foliage (FordRobertson, 1971).
Deciduous: perennial plants that are leafless for a certain period during the year
(Ford-Robertson, 1971). Leaf shedding usually takes place simultaneously and in
connection with the unfavourable season (UNESCO, 1973).
The modifiers Semi-Deciduous, Semi-Evergreen and Mixed, as well as Perennial and
Annual, are explained in the Glossary.

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3.4.1.6 Stratification or Layering

The user can describe up to three layers of stratification (including the main layer) for
Terrestrial Vegetation (A12) and Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Vegetation (A24), see
Appendix B for details. The users may be disappointed by the limited number of layers at
their disposal, but the classifier Stratification should contribute to the structural definition
of a vegetation class. This means that this classifier must cover all the possible
combinations with the main Life Form selected and its Cover (e.g. if we can have layering
for Closed Trees, the same must be valid for Closed or Open Shrubs or Closed
Graminoids, etc.). The layering is an active component of the class set-up; it is not a mere
descriptive (optional and unsystematic) item of the class. The proposed classification
allows the user to first build up a land cover class with the use of the classifier Stratification
and, where more detail is wanted, add a users description to the standard one, which may
contain information on any additional layers/strata.
Some limitations in the use of the classifier Stratification have been introduced in order
to avoid irrelevant (from the structural point of view) class combinations. The following
examples will further clarify this concept:
Tree Savannah is clearly defined by two main elements: a Herbaceous vegetation
layer and a Sparse Trees layer. Thus, the Stratification of the two elements
Herbaceous and Tree layer is crucial for the definition of this class.
Closed Forest is clearly defined by the element of a Closed Tree layer. Limitations
have been introduced (as will be explained below) for this class in the use of
Stratification. It is not possible, in this case, to determine the presence of a
Herbaceous layer because the classification rules set up for the Layering allow the
user only to determine sub-layers of Trees and/or Shrubs. The determination of a
Herbaceous layer would not contribute to the main structural meaning of the class
as defined at the first level. The element Herbaceous layer can be added as part of
the user-defined description of the class (see Legend Edit).
The limitations introduced, as shown in the two examples above, are to avoid
introducing elements not crucial for the determination of the structural aspects of a land
cover class. These elements can be added in the class description in the Legend (see Legend
Edit). These limitations have the practical purpose of reducing the number of possible
combinations of classifiers, which otherwise could lead to the creation of an even larger

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

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number of classes that would ALL have the same structural meaning. All limitations in use
of Stratification are built into the software program.
From the practical point of view in the use of the Stratification concept, it is important
to recognize that two possible types of Stratification exist:
where the second stratum consists of the same Life Form as the main stratum
(e.g. trees-trees and shrubs-shrubs); and
where the second stratum consists of a different Life Form (e.g. trees-shrubs).
The second case is quite straightforward and does not present any difficulty in the
selection of classifiers. The first case needs additional explanation. In the case of a
dominant Life Form of Trees with a second stratum of Trees, it is important that these
layers are clearly distinguishable one from the other (e.g. a second stratum of Trees
Emergent over a Closed Tree canopy, where these emergents must not be part of the
discontinuity of the Closed Tree canopy but clearly a distinct layer). The sub-condition of
Height will pre-set the available choices of Height for second and/or third layers/strata.
For example, with a main stratum of Closed Low Trees (37 m), the emergents to be
defined in the second stratum cannot have the same height (option 37 m therefore not
available) because the Sparse Trees of the second layer have to be taller.
The Height parameter explained above depends on the Height value chosen for the
main stratum; it is not applied if the general Height class is selected. If the user selects the
general Height class for the main stratum, then for subsequent strata the general Height
classes are the only options available.
The main conditions applied for Stratification/Layering are the following:
Forbs and Graminoids are considered always together as Herbaceous.
For Trees, three strata including the main, can be considered (e.g. a main Closed
Tree layer with a second lower Closed to Open Tree layer and a third Sparse Tree
layer of emergents is called a Multi-Layered Forest With Emergents).
When the main stratum is Closed Trees or Open Trees and there is a second layer of
Sparse Trees then the Height of the second layer must be higher, i.e. emergent. If
they are lower they are not considered as an independent stratum.
For Shrubs the number of strata with the same Life Form is two, including the
main strata.
For Herbaceous, only one stratum is possible.
If the main stratum is Trees and the Cover is Open, then it is impossible to have the
same Life Form with Cover Open To Closed with a different height as a second
stratum (e.g. Open High Trees with Open Low Trees is impossible).
If the main stratum is Shrubs and the Cover is Closed or Open with the general
option of Height, then it is impossible to have the same Life Form with Cover Open
To Closed with a different height as a second stratum (e.g. Open High Shrubs with
Closed To Open Low Shrubs is impossible). The only exception to this rule is when
the second stratum consists of Dwarf Shrubs.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

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These operate in combination with:

If the cover of the main stratum is Closed Trees or Closed Shrubs, then none of the
Herbaceous layers are considered or described (this can be added as a user-defined
description).
Sparse Herbaceous is never considered as a second layer except when the main layer
is Sparse Trees or Sparse Shrubs (but it can be added as user-defined description).
If the main stratum is Shrubs or Herbaceous, only one layer of trees can be
considered. This is linked to the criterion of dominance, as described earlier, because
the Trees or Shrubs can only be Sparse.
Only two layers other than the main layer are considered both for Terrestrial
Vegetation (A12) and for Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Vegetation (A24).

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3.4.2 Cultivated and Managed Terrestrial Areas (A11 and A23)

In existing approaches, cultivated areas are often only described and classified by
determining the crop species, the cultural practices and, in some cases, land tenure
information. This may result in descriptions like rainfed agricultural area or state-owned
rubber plantation. These descriptions are highly sectoral and do not address the needs of
a wide variety of end-users. Another important aspect is that the principle of having a high
level of geographical accuracy is frequently lacking in the sectoral approaches.
Description of agricultural areas in land cover terms should be exhaustive and neutral
so that the results can be used by a broad user community. Furthermore, these areas are
Primarily Vegetated land cover types, thus their description should have a link to
(Semi-)Natural Vegetated land cover types at a certain level of detail, e.g. a user interested
in trees because of the nesting prospects of a certain bird may not be directly interested in
knowing if these trees are part of a crop or (Semi-)Natural Vegetation. Furthermore, the
focus should be on the definition of geographically well-defined classes, i.e. classes having
a high mappability.
Therefore, the approach taken in order to enable a wide variety of users to employ the
descriptions of cultivated areas is that of a basically physiognomic-structural classification.
This means that at a high level of classification the cultivated area description is based on
the structure of the vegetation, whereas at lower levels, with lower mappability, the focus
is on description of the spatial and temporal dimensions. This type of description should,
however, assure a high degree of compatibility with existing agricultural classification
systems. This means that not only should the classes be compatible, but also should the
methods of deriving classes and their spatial and temporal dimensions (Duhamel, 1995).
The spatial and temporal dimensions for cultivated areas clearly differ from (Semi-)Natural
Vegetation, as in most cases there is a constant flux in the observable cover.
Owing to this flux, the moment of observation of the land cover is very important, as
the land might be ploughed, sown or harvested (with no crop actually visible) or a crop is
clearly visible and different crop growth stages can be identified. These temporal
dimensions influence the land cover but should not influence its description, because the
area should be classified independent of the time of observation. It is for this reason that

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

in the definition of Cultivated Areas provision is made for the fact that vegetative cover is
not always present.
In the structural approach, physiognomy or Life Form is the principal classification
criterion, followed by the vertical structure, the crop layering and horizontal structure, i.e.
the Field Macropattern, of the area. This will result in detailed cover information that can
be optionally combined with Crop Type as a specific technical attribute to establish the link
with many current classification systems.
In the major land cover type of Terrestrial Cultivated Areas and Managed Lands (A11),
Managed Lands form a separate category. They comprise land cover classes that are clearly
vegetated and managed, though not with the intent of harvesting as is the case for
Cultivated Areas. The structural description of their cover in this classification may appear
simplistic, but a further description in land use terms would not render much more
information. The description in cover terms will assure a high level of mappability, which
can be freely combined with user-defined land use descriptors.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

3.4.2.1 Life Form Managed Lands

Managed Lands form a separate category inside the Cultivated Terrestrial Areas and
Managed Lands (A11) and consist of one single classifier: Life Form. The Managed Land
Areas are described by the Life Form composition rather than description of the individual
Life Forms of the vegetation. They are defined by specifying the occurrence of trees, shrubs
and/or herbaceous life forms. Three options are available: Parklands, Parks or Lawns.
Managed Lands may comprise private gardens, public green areas, sport fields, etc.
They are usually found in the (peri-)urban environment. This category may be further
elaborated in future to include a wider range of classifiers for more detailed descriptions.
3.4.2.2 Life Form Cultivated Areas
Two main aspects of the classifier Life Form should be taken into account:
the concept of Life Form in this classification; and
determination of the dominant Life Form.
Careful determination of these two main aspects is important because the classification
is set up in such a way that the choice of the main Life Form has consequences for the
choices available at lower levels due to certain built-in conditions.
Life Form is defined by the physiognomy of the plants. Under Cultivated Terrestrial
Areas, Trees and Shrubs are distinguished from Herbaceous plants, subdivided into Forbs
or Graminoids. Under Cultivated Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Areas, only Graminoid
and Non-Graminoid crops are distinguished. The following rule applies: those plants that
belong to the Graminaceae family but have a woody appearance (e.g. bamboos) are
classified as Herbaceous plants. This rule differs from the rules applied in Natural and
Semi-Natural Vegetation (major land cover types A12 and A24).

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For determination of dominance the following rules apply:

The main criterion is the uppermost canopy layer. This means that the cover goes
from Trees to Shrubs to Herbaceous/Forbs/Graminoids.
This general condition is subject to a sub-condition of marginality, i.e. the crop
should cover at least 15 percent of the area and/or should return the highest
economic revenue.
These two rules are the main criteria for determining the main crop. There are no
restrictions to possible crop Life Form combinations (in contrast to (Semi-)Natural
Vegetation, as explained in the next section).
The Trees and Shrubs Life Forms can have two additional modifiers: Leaf Type
(Broadleaved or Needleleaved), in combination with Leaf Phenology (Evergreen or
Deciduous). The introduction of this modifier for these two Life Forms assures a link with
the description of the natural vegetated areas.

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3.4.2.3 Spatial Aspect Size and Distribution

The second classifier that can be applied is Spatial Aspect Size. This classifier often implies
other aspects (e.g. land tenure, mechanization, land reclamation, etc.). Large-scale
irrigated agriculture or similar terms are common in many classifications systems. This
classification needs to be neutral in its land cover description without including ambiguous
terminology. Therefore, Spatial Aspect has been selected as a neutral classifier. For mapping
exercises, Spatial Aspect is an important aspect at the meso- or macro-level. Furthermore,
it is an easily detectable characteristic (e.g. on aerial photographs and satellite imagery), i.e.
it has good mappability.
The Field Size classifier is applicable at the level of the individual field and has
three categories:
less than 2 ha;
2 to 5 ha; and
more than 5 ha.
This classifier can be skipped because size is a very subjective parameter.
Spatial Distribution is the horizontal pattern of cultivated fields in a certain area. It can
be easily measured, taking the distance between one field and the next. A distinction has
been made into three classes:
Continuous describes a continuum of more than 50 percent of cultivated fields. In
this case the land cover mapping unit may be single (inside the mapping unit the
fields take up more than 80 percent) or mixed (the fields occupy 5180 percent of
the mapping unit). Generally, when the fields occupy 5180 percent of the mapping
unit, the area in between the fields can be considered by the user as part of the
cultivated area or the user can decide to make a mixed mapping unit, depending
upon which land cover features the user wants to highlight.

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

The Spatial Distribution is Scattered Clustered or Scattered Isolated when, within the
cultivated field area, other land cover types are present. They are defined as follows:
If the percentage of fields is more than 20 percent but less than 50 percent, it is
Scattered Clustered: this means that the resulting mapping unit is a mixed land
cover class of a cultivated area with another subordinate land cover class and
both components need to be defined in the legend (e.g. 40 percent of fields and
60 percent of semi-natural vegetation).
If the percentage of fields is more than 10 percent but less than 20 percent it is
considered Scattered Isolated. This means that the resulting mapping unit is a
mixed land cover class where the dominant class is not this one. It is the only case
where a class comprising less than 20 percent is present in a mixed mapping unit
(see Section 3.8).
As for Macropattern in (Semi-)Natural Terrestrial Vegetation, this classifier in version
2.0 of the software (LCCS2) is not an automatic part of the classification sequence. To use
it, the user must activate the specific button.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

3.4.2.4 Crop Combination (only for A11)

At the second level, the Crop Combination is specified for the Cultivated Terrestrial Areas.
If there is more than one crop, the crops present can be specified together with details of
the possible overlap in growing period between the main and secondary crops. The order
in which an additional crop is specified follows the same condition as stated above.
The dominance is determined by the main criterion of the second-uppermost
canopy layer. This means that the cover goes from Trees to Shrubs to
Herbaceous/Forbs/ Graminoids.
This general condition is subject to a sub-condition of marginality i.e. the crop
should cover at least 15 percent of the area (but less than the main crop) and/or
should return the second highest economic revenue.
It is important to note that the second-level classifier Crop Combination can also be
skipped by the user because of the apparent difficulty in determining the classifiers
correctly. This skip function will then permit the user to continue the description of the
main crop at the third level.
3.4.2.5 Water Seasonality (only for A23)
The second level classifier Water Seasonality of Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Cultivated
Areas describes the duration of water on or near the surface during the main crop
cultivation period. If any additional crops are cultivated after or in overlap with the main
crop, the period of water at or near the surface for these crops should be neglected.

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3.4.2.6 Cover-Related Cultural Practices

Water Supply and Cultivation Time Factor (A11)
At the third level of classification, the classifier Cover-Related Cultural Practices Water
Supply is determined. The options Rainfed Agriculture, Post Flooding and Irrigated Agriculture
for Cultivated Terrestrial Areas have implications for the options available under Cultivation
Time Factor. Post Flooding cultural practices are not possible in a Permanent Cultivation
system. It is also obvious that the dominant crop determined will have implications for other
classifiers (e.g. a Tree Crop will result in a Permanent Cultivation system).
A Permanent Cultivation system in combination with either a Trees or Shrubs Life
Form designates what is commonly known as plantations and orchards (e.g. a forest
plantation or a coffee plantation). However, these names do not occur per se in this
classification system. In combination with Crop Type, a link to current systems can be
made and to commonly used names such as plantation (e.g. the combination of Shrub
Crop and Crop Type: Tea covers Tea Plantation, while Tree Crop and Crop Type: Hevea
spp. refers to Rubber Plantation).
3.4.2.7 Cover-Related Cultural Practices Fallow Period (only for A23)
Cover-Related Cultural Practices Fallow Period is the third-level classifier for Aquatic or
Regularly Flooded Cultivated Areas. It has three subdivisions: Permanent; Relay
Intercropping; and Sequential. They are, however, defined differently from Cultivated
Terrestrial Areas because they refer to the practices that occur after harvest of the main
aquatic crop (see Appendix A: Glossary). These practices may not relate to the same
Aquatic or Regularly Flooded environment of the main crop.
3.5 CLASSIFICATION CONCEPTS FOR PRIMARILY NON-VEGETATED AREAS
Areas primarily characterized by a cover other than vegetation fall into two categories:
those with a non-vegetal cover and those with no cover at all. The latter is a category that
describes the land surface rather than any cover of the land but which has been included
here, as explained earlier (see Section 2.1).
The approach adopted for describing Primarily Non-Vegetated Areas is, as for
Vegetated Classes, a structural-physiognomic approach, i.e. the physiognomy, the cover
(i.e. density) and structure are used as parameters. The classifiers Surface Aspect (Artificial
Surfaces and Bare Areas) and Physical Status (Artificial and Natural Waterbodies, Snow
and Ice) can be regarded as descriptors of the physiognomy of the materials, like Life Form
for vegetation. The further classifiers and modifiers of Bare Areas and Artificial Surfaces
contain elements of Cover, as for Terrestrial Vegetation, whereas the Water Persistence
classifier is similar to Water Seasonality in Aquatic Vegetation.
3.5.1 Artificial Surfaces and Associated Areas (B15)
Areas with an artificial cover resulting from human activities are described in most
classification systems in terms of use, whereas the description of cover is equally
important. An example is urban areas where the surface generally consists of

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THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

impervious materials. This type of surface greatly influences run-off and the peak flow
characteristics of water. Another example is tarmac roads in hilly terrain, where road
constructors need to carefully plan for the discharge of excess water that, in poor designs,
may lead to disastrous forms of erosion.
The Associated Areas are mainly domains where the original surface is removed, such
as extraction sites, or where materials have been deposited on top of the original surface,
such as waste dumps and other type of deposits.
The characteristics of the cover of the surface are crucial in the land cover description and
therefore embody the main classification concept. This major land cover type is classified
depending upon the Surface Aspect. A category for the Built-Up Object can be specified
using the scroll list (e.g. cities and towns, roads, open mines, official waste dump sites, etc.).

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

3.5.1.1 Surface Aspect

The Surface Aspect distinguishes two main classes, with one class having two levels with an
increase in detail. A much more detailed class description can be made using the modifier
options. These modifiers are explained in terms of cover rather than land use terminology.
The Artificial Surface areas can be further defined according to the shape and density
of the artefacts.

C O N C E P T S

3.5.2 Bare Areas (B16)

Areas that are primarily bare are usually described by geologists, soil scientists or geomorphologists (using technical terms like granite rock, rendzhina, sand dunes, inselberg, tor, etc.).
This type of description is highly technical and may be difficult to understand for users
with a different background. A different approach is therefore needed for describing the
type of material on the surface, with additional options to go into more detail, in
combination with elements describing either some specific properties (physical or
chemical) of the surface material or describing some specific forms. Specific forms implies
that the surface may consist of shapes that form a pattern at the macro-level. The focus of
the cover description is on the surface and not on the subsoil.
The major land cover type Bare Areas is therefore described mainly by the appearance
of the surface. The concept adopted describes the aspects of the cover: whether it is
consolidated or not, what kind of material it consists of (e.g. rock, sand) and which may be
combined with Macropattern. The more discipline-related descriptors for geology,
landform and soil are available as attributes and can be used to link the land cover
description to the technical disciplines.
3.5.2.1 Surface Aspect
The Surface Aspect describes the surface of the Bare Area at two levels, with an increase in
detail. A further specification can be made by using one of the modifiers. These modifiers
specify some physical or chemical properties.

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3.5.3 Artificial and Natural Waterbodies, Snow and Ice (B27 and B28)
The two major land cover types describing water surfaces or other physical appearances of
water, Artificial Waterbodies, Snow and Ice (B27) and Natural Waterbodies, Snow and Ice
(B28) are described by taking into account their temporal aspect. Water, snow and ice may
not be present all year round and therefore it is also important to know what the cover is
when they are absent. This temporal aspect should not influence the classification results
because classification by default is independent of temporal change.
In most existing classification systems these land cover types are only briefly described
in terms of cover, with no additional information. The concept adopted by this
classification puts more emphasis on the temporal aspect.
The major difference between these two major classes is that Artificial Waterbodies,
Snow and Ice are surfaces in places where, under natural circumstances, no water, snow or
ice surface would exist. Therefore these surfaces are the result of an artefact, such as the
construction of a dam, artificial snow or ice-making.

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3.5.2.2 Macropattern
The Macropattern describes the pattern of the surface. This classifier is linked to the
Surface Aspect because a Macropattern can only be of the same material as the surface
described. Hence the choice made under Surface Aspect may disable certain choices in this
classifier. Two types are distinguished, namely Bare Soil and Loose and/or Shifting Sands.

3.5.3.1 Physical Status

The Physical Status describes in which form water is found. Three options are available:
Water, Snow or Ice. Depending on the choice made here, other classifiers at lower levels
may be disabled. For water and ice a further specification can be made into Flowing or
Standing Water and Moving or Stationary Ice.
3.5.3.2 Persistence
Persistence, i.e. the duration that Water, Snow or Ice covers the surface, is described. If
Water, Snow or Ice is present for nine months or less per year, the surface then exposed can
be further specified.
3.5.3.3 Depth
The Depth can be described because it is directly related to cover aspects. The proposed
classifier has not been given a lot of detail because the most important feature to be
determined is whether it is deep or not, i.e. whether it is shallower or deeper than 2 m.
This limit has an ecological meaning as it is the maximum rooting depth for the great
majority of aquatic plants (Cowardin et al., 1979).
3.5.3.4 Sediment Load
The suspended Sediment Load in the water influences the cover and implies other
environmental aspects, such as upstream erosion and downstream sedimentation. It also

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PART ONE

influences the aquatic fauna and flora. It is a relatively easily observed characteristic of the
water, but difficult to measure as it fluctuates. Therefore the subdivision has not been
given great detail.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

3.6 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SPECIFIC TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTES

The pure land cover classifiers can be combined with so-called attributes for further
definition of the land cover class. Two types of attributes are distinguished, forming
distinct levels in the classification:
Environmental Attributes: attributes that are not inherent features of land cover but
may influence the land cover.
Specific Technical Attributes: attributes referring to the technical discipline of the
major land cover type.

C O N C E P T S

3.6.1 Environmental Attributes

3.6.1.1 Landform
Land forms are described first and foremost by their morphology and not by their genetic
origin or the processes responsible for their shape. The dominant slope is the most
important differentiating criterion, followed by relief intensity.
This attribute can be applied to all classes except Artificial Surfaces and Artificial and
Natural Waterbodies, Snow and Ice. The attribute consists of two different levels, i.e.
major land form and slope class according to the Soils and Terrain (SOTER) methodology
(UNEP/ISSS/ISRIC/FAO, 1995).
3.6.1.2 Lithology
The lithology can be described based on the geological parent material and its age. The
options have been provided by S.B. Kroonenberg (personnel communication., 1998). Three
major groupings are distinguished and further subdivided (see Appendix A: Glossary).
3.6.1.3 Soils
For the Primarily Vegetated Areas, the user can describe first the soils Surface Aspect,
followed by a detailed description of the soil profile according to the Revised Soil Legend
(FAO, 1988). For Bare Areas (B16) only the soil profile description is applicable because
the soil surface aspect is a classifier of this major land cover type.
3.6.1.4 Climate
The concept adopted to add climatic parameters to the land cover classes is from De Pauw,
Nachtergaele and Antoine, 1996, whose revised Length of Growing Period (LGP)
approach gives recognition to the relevant climatic constraints in any major region of the
world. The combination of Thermal Classes and Moisture Classes gives the climate.
No conditions have been pre-set.

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3.6.1.6 Erosion
In the description of Erosion in the land cover, emphasis is given to accelerated or humaninduced erosion. Human-induced erosion is often the result of irrational use and poor
management, such as incorrect agricultural practices, overgrazing or overexploitation of
the (semi-)natural vegetation. These practices result in a cover type with specific features.
Most of the erosion can be classified as either Water or Wind erosion and deposition, with
Mass Movements as a third major category. Further subdivision can be made by using the
User-defined Attribute option in the Legend Module.
This attribute is applicable in all Primarily Vegetated Areas and Bare Areas (B16).
3.6.1.7 Water Quality (only for A24)
This attribute is only applicable in (Semi-)Natural Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Terrestrial
Areas (A24). It can be used to specify the salinity of the water, which is measured in ppm
of total dissolved solids (TDS) according to Cowardin et al. (1979).

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3.6.1.5 Altitude
This attribute can be used in all major land cover types. The classes of this attribute are a
proposal and can be further subdivided by using the possibility available in the Legend
Module to create a user-defined attribute (see Section 6).

3.6.1.8 Vegetation (only for B16, B27 and B28)

This attribute is applicable for Bare Areas and Artificial and Natural Waterbodies, Snow
and Ice (e.g. sandy riverbed with scattered vegetation) to indicate that less than 4 percent
of vegetation is present. In the case of the presence of Lichens and/or Mosses, they should
be less than 20 percent of the total mapped area (see Appendix A).
3.6.1.9 Cover/Crop Density (only for A11 and A23)
This attribute is only applicable for the Cultivated Areas, both Terrestrial and Aquatic or
Regularly Flooded. This attribute gives information on the density of the permanent crops,
(e.g. Trees and Shrubs) or the cover of the temporary life forms (e.g. Herbaceous, Forbs
and Graminoids). This information is an indicator of the success of crop establishment and
hence its possible yield.
Density has not been used as a land cover classifier, as for (Semi-)Natural Vegetated
Areas, because it normally would not add any useful information to the land cover class.
The density is related to the planting distance of the crop, which differs according to crop
(e.g. olive trees versus maize). However, it is a useful attribute when describing a cultivated
area that does not have the expected density of the crop (e.g. in marginal areas).

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PART ONE

3.6.2 Specific Technical Attributes

These attributes are related to the technical discipline associated with the major land cover
types. Thus, for (Semi-)Natural Vegetated areas, the Floristic Aspect can be described; for
Bare Areas, the Soil Type (as discussed under Soils); for Cultivated Areas, the Crop Types;
and the Salinity for Artificial and Natural Waterbodies, Snow and Ice.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

3.6.2.1 Crop Type (only for A11 and A23)

The Crop Type can be specified according to the major groupings used for the FAO
Production Yearbooks. If a Crop Type is not present, it can be defined and added under the
header Other in the boxes that open upon clicking. Furthermore, the name of the crop has
to be linked to the dominant, second or third crop choices in order for the entry to be
saved. A maximum of three names can be specified.

C O N C E P T S

3.6.2.2 Floristic Aspect (only for A12 and A24)

This attribute has two major divisions: whether the name is derived from a single plant
form or from a group of plant types. In the first option, a further subdivision is possible
into Dominant Species (Height, Cover or combination of both) and Most Frequent Species.
The second option is subdivided into: Plant Groups (e.g. Braun-Blanquet) and Plant
Groups Derived Without Statistical Methods (e.g. same ecological significance; same
geographical distribution; same dynamic significance). The specific name of the Floristic
Aspect can be added with the User-Defined Attribute option in the Legend Module.
3.6.2.3 Salinity (only for B27 and B28)
The Salinity of the water can be specified for Artificial and Natural Waterbodies. Three
main classes are distinguished, based upon Cowardin et al. (1979).
3.7 THE ADVANTAGES OF THE METHOD ADOPTED
3.7.1 Advantages from the conceptual point of view
LCCS is a real a priori classification system in the sense that, for the classifiers considered, it
covers all their possible combinations. Some particular combinations are excluded, due to
conditions that are elements of the classification system. In this case the type of combinations
and the conditions, i.e. the reasons for this exclusion are clearly listed and explained.
A given land cover class is clearly and systematically defined, making a clear and
unambiguous differentiation by use of the classifiers as follows:
pure land cover classifiers (each one ordered from the general to a more specific level);
environmental attributes (e.g. Climate, Landform, Geology, etc.); and
specific technical attributes (e.g. Floristic Aspect for (Semi-)Natural Vegetation).
This system avoids unclear definitions (e.g. tropical rain forest where a climatic
attribute is used for a floristic description).
The classification is truly hierarchical. The class hierarchical arrangement is a basic
component of the mechanism of the class formation. The difference between a land cover
class (at a more general level) and a further subdivision of it is given through the addition

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of new classifiers (on a more detailed level of the one forming the previous class). The more
classifiers used, the greater the detail of the land cover class defined.
The classes derived from the proposed classification system are all unique and
unambiguous, due to the internal consistency and systematic description of the class as a
basis for objective and repeatable classification. Correlation studies between classifications
show that, in many cases, definitions of the class names are often either unclear or
unsystematic or both, due to the fact that in traditional classifications and legends the
meaning of a class is derived only from its general description. Such a descriptive text is
very often unsystematic and, as a result, in many cases there are insufficient details to
define strict boundary conditions. The classes are therefore open to misinterpretation and
lack internal consistency. With the present classification, the users primary descriptive tool
is the Boolean Formula of all classifiers used to build the class; this cannot be anything
other than a systematic description of the class. In addition to this, the traditional class
description is used. A strict class boundary definition and internal class consistency are
inherent in the method.
LCCS is designed to map at a variety of scales, from small to large.
For two main reasons, the classification can be used as reference classification:
the classification contains a large number of classes (the classes of the existing
classifications and legends can always be accommodated); and
emphasis is on a set of classifiers rather than just a name, which allows easy
correlation even when a range of values, such as the percent of cover of a given life
form, does not fit with the proposed value; the dissimilarity is clear and remains
limited to only a portion of the elements forming the class. This event however
should be extremely rare due to the different levels, from more general to more
specific, forming a single type of classifier.
3.7.2 Advantages from the practical point of view
The specific design of the classification allows easy incorporation and integration into GIS
and databases. The mechanisms of how the classes are built up, as discussed earlier,
facilitate overlay procedures.
It will produce a real multi-user database. Despite the high demand for natural
resources information, many databases are not developed to meet multi-user requirements.
This is shown by the fact that, in practice, very often the number of real users is often a
small portion of the potential ones. An important cause is the inherent rigidity of the
natural resources information (i.e. land cover) of the databases. Two cases are typical:
the original project is very specialized (e.g. vegetation ecology), hence the class name
and description of the resulting legend are difficult to understand by other users
(such as rural planners, statisticians, etc.); or
the original project is not specialized, so the classes or the class descriptions are too
generic to be used by specialized disciplines.

44

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

The ways in which current classifications determine the classes (names and generally a
broad description) do not allow a great deal of flexibility in use by the final user. The
present classification system assumes two types of final users:
the one that uses the classification to build up the database (the user basically doing
the interpretation activity); and
the one that is the final user of the database created.
The system obliges the first user (the database builder) to follow specific rules in the
combination of classifiers (to assure standardization and comparability of the data set) but
allows the database user (see Section 3) to define freely the set of classifiers by which they
wish to re-aggregate the original polygons of the database. Because the class definition is
linked with the classifiers Boolean Formula, this is a straightforward process. Of course,
the number of potential recombination of classifiers is extremely large and some
combinations may be illogical, but this respects the concept of multiple users, each with
their very specific needs.
For interpretation purposes, the advantages are:
It is highly flexible, responding not only to the information available or gathered in
a given area, but also to the time and budgetary constraints of a project. This means
that within one land cover map, mapping units will contain the maximum available
information, but the quantity of information may differ between the mapping units.
This will not affect the homogeneity of the resulting map. It will be possible, for
instance, to have, within the same map in a certain geographical area, polygons of a
class formed with a certain number of classifiers (a high number as more ancillary
information is available), while, in another part, polygons where the same type of
class will have fewer classifiers. It will always be possible to compare the two classes.
It rationalizes the field data collection. The classes are defined by a combination of
classifiers: field surveyors should detect the single classifiers and not deal with the
final class name. This means that the field survey can be done independent of, or in
parallel to, the interpretation process.
It facilitates standardization of the interpretation process, contributing to its
homogeneity. Despite the huge number of classes the interpreter can generate to fit
the land cover variations, one is dealing only with a limited number of classifiers. So
one does not need to scroll inside a big, obscure list of class names, but must simply
aggregate a limited number of well-defined classifiers. This will also reduce
heterogeneity among interpreters and among interpretations over time.
It allows the building up of a new procedure of accuracy analysis of the result. Until
now, accuracy analysis was done for single classes; henceforth it will be possible to
assess the accuracy not only for the entire class but also for each of the classifiers
forming the specific class. This will give a high flexibility to finalization of the classes.
If, for instance, a class formed by five classifiers shows an accuracy of 60 percent,
which is too low according to the established standard, then by looking at the
individual classifiers forming this class the user can analyse the contribution of each
individual classifier to the overall class accuracy. If, in the example, the first four

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
C O N C E P T S

45

3.8 FROM CLASSIFICATION TO LEGEND

Classification is an abstract representation of the situation in the field using a particular set
of diagnostic criteria, whereas a legend is the application of the classifications abstract
design in a particular area using a defined mapping scale and a particular data set. This
transition implies establishment of specific conditions not present in the classification
concept (e.g. Minimum Mappable Area and Mixed Mapping Units). Because one of the
ultimate goals of this classification is to provide a useful tool for mapping exercises, these
conditions will be discussed here, even if they are not strictly appropriate to the main
subject of this chapter.

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classifiers have an accuracy of 90 percent while the fifth classifier only 60 percent, the
user may decide to eliminate this last and less accurate classifier in order to have a final
class with less detail but with a higher accuracy.

46

3.8.1 The Minimum Mappable Area concept

The Minimum Mappable Area is a concept applied by cartographers when addressing the
smallest area that can be shown on a map. This concept is therefore scale-dependent and not
related to classification. However, the issue is addressed here as it usually presents problems.
The concept of one single mappable area is generally applied. Historically, the
cartographer determined one particular minimum area to be represented on the map. This
was applied to all classes contained in the legend. The disadvantage of this method is that
classes with a difference in importance would follow the same rules. It would have been
more logical to define a set of different sizes for the various features with differing
importance (Di Gregorio, 1991).
The flexibility of this current classification (LCCS2) allows the introduction of the
concept of a variable minimum mappable area. Thus, the user can relate the size of the
minimum mappable area to the eight major land cover types from which the classes are
derived (Figure 3.12).

THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS

PART ONE

FIGURE 3.12

Example from the East Africa Project,

with variable minimum mappable areas (not at original scale)

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

A11 A23

A24

A12

C O N C E P T S

B15 B27 B28

B16

3.8.2 The Occurrence of Mixed Mapping Units

In the classification system, all classes are unique and no Mixed Mapping code is considered.
However, LCCS2 offers the possibility of generating a mixed code when saving a class from
the classification to the legend module. In effect, when moving from the abstract concept of
the classification system to the practicalities of the field, the user has to deal with a particular
legend that reflects both parameters of scale and inherent characteristics of the area. LCCS2
considers several types of mixed codings, with an exhaustive and codified syntax. Two basic
types of mixed coding are present:
thematic mixed coding; and
spatial (with or without being time-related) mixed coding.
Thematic mixed coding relates to a thematic uncertainty. It means that the specific
polygon coded with the thematic mixed code cannot reflect unique thematic information
(written A//B, implying equal to A OR B, where A and B are land cover classes). It needs
a certain level of generalization of the information. This syntax can be used only if the
internal capabilities of generalization of LCCS are inadequate. In LCCS, in fact, the user has
a certain possibility of generalizing the thematic class, meaning going from a more general
to a more detailed level of class definition. If, for instance, the classifier Woody is used, this
implies that an intricate mixture of trees and shrubs is present in which neither trees nor
shrubs are clearly dominant. Thematic mixed coding, then, is an extra resource for the user

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to further generalize the thematic meaning of a class or for acting at a single-polygon level
where, due to interpretation problems, a certain level of generalization is required.
Spatial mixed coding relates to the constraint of the scale when representing a
geographical feature. It means that in the specific polygon coded Spatial Mixed, all the
features are present but, due to the scale constraint (Minimum Mappable Area), they cannot
be represented singularly (written A/B, implying equal to A and B).
A Spatial Mixed Mapping code is always characterized by two or three (maximum)
separate single land cover classes as defined in the classification system. The conditions
governing the use of mixed mapping units are that within the minimum mappable area, two
or more land cover classes are present, in a spatially separate entity (e.g. patches of
agricultural fields inside a forest).
In this case, the general criterion proposed is that the cover of each one of the classes
considered must be more than 20 percent (and consequently less than 80 percent) of the
mapping unit. The limit of 20 percent is thus the threshold of visibility of a class in a
Spatial Mixed Unit. The only exception to this rule is in the major land cover type
Cultivated Areas, where the use of the option Scattered Isolated of the classifier Spatial
Distribution goes from 10 to 20 percent (see Section 3.4.2.3).
The sequence of the class names in a mixed mapping unit represents the dominance (e.g.
for Forest/Cultivated Areas, Forest is more than 50 percent and less than 80 percent,
whereas Cultivated Areas is less than 50 percent but more than 20 percent). A Mixed
Mapping Unit can contain a maximum of three classes.
A variation of Spatial Mixed coding is the so-called Layering. This situation applies
when a feature belonging to Agricultural and Managed Area and another belonging to
Natural Semi-Natural Vegetation occur in two separate strata (e.g. rainfed cultivated fields
with open natural trees). For this specific case a different syntax is used (written A + B,
implying A and B layering).
A particular case is Time-Related Mixed coding. This applies only to classes belonging
to the major land cover categories Cultivated and Managed Terrestrial Area(s) (A11) or
Cultivated Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Area(s) (A23), where the syntax is A///B,
indicating A in one year; B in the other. Such coding is used to describe the situation
where, in different years, different types of cultivation occur in the same field (i.e. the
mapping unit). This is the case when the user has, for example, a situation of cultivated fields
of paddy rice in one year (e.g. when there is sufficient rainfall), followed by a terrestrial crop
in a subsequent year (e.g. when rainfall is poor). This particular type of Time-Related Mixed
coding shows often a cyclic, almost customary, alternation of different crops in subsequent
years (e.g. generally an Aquatic crop followed by Terrestrial crops, or an Irrigated crop
followed by Rainfed crops). It is important to note that the alternation of crops should be
considered only when this occurs on an annual basis. The combination of different crops
in the same growing period is an option already considered in LCCS class creation (see the
classifiers related to Crop Combination in A11). However, because of the specific nature of
this type of Mixed Unit, that occurs only where crops are growing, the classes composing
such a mixed unit can only be those of Cultivated Area(s).

PART TWO
USER MANUAL FOR
SOFTWARE VERSION 2

C H A P T E R

INSTALLATION

PART TWO

U S E R

A user-friendly interface has been built around the set of databases holding the numerous
potential land cover classes formed by selection of the classifiers and attributes available.
The branching options in the classification system are many and the software application
should make any of these classes easily retrievable. Visual Basic 6 has been used as the
development platform.
This section of the User Manual will cover:
hardware and software requirements;
installation procedure; and
directory structure.

M A N U A L

Please note that LCCS comes as a run-time software application.

It is therefore not necessary to have Visual Basic installed on the computer.
Before trying to install the Land Cover Classification System, ensure that the PC meets
the requirements specified below.
4.1 MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Hardware
Pentium processor.
8 MB RAM (16 MB or more recommended).
Hard disk with at least 60 MB of free space.
The screen size can be variable. For the best visualization, set the screen to 1024 by
768 pixels.
Operating System
Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP.

51

4.3 DIRECTORY STRUCTURE

The installation looks for the following directory structure and if necessary creates it:
C:\Program File\TerraNova\LCCS20, which contains the database software and
the databases.

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4.2 INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

LCCS comes as a Run-time version. The user has to follow the usual installation procedure
for Windows-based programs.
For all the operating systems, the procedure is:
Insert the CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive (usually D:)
Click on Start
Run
Type D:/setupLCCS/Setup.exe
After having completed this step, a guided set-up procedure is activated. It is highly
recommended that its proposals be accepted regarding the installation directory and
naming of new program groups.
At the end of the set-up operation, the installation procedure will ask you to restart the
system. Subsequently, a new sub-directory C:\Program File\TerraNova\LCCS20 is
created and a new Land Cover Classification System icon is added to the Windows
Desktop and Program Manager, within the TerraNova program folder.

Please note that in order LCCS2 to work correctly the user must not change the
original operating system's Regional Options. For example, if the OS is in English
(United States), the Regional Options must also be set in English (United States).
Although the Regional Options will not effect the installation process it may
cause a system error when launching the LCCS2 software. Should this occur
please return the Regional Options back to the original OS' settings. This can be
done in the Control Panel of the Start up menu.

52

C H A P T E R

OPERATION

PART TWO

U S E R

Though no previous knowledge of Microsoft Windows is required to operate LCCS, there

are some Selection Techniques and Screen Objects that the user should become familiar
with in order to be able to use the LCCS Action Panel without problems.

M A N U A L

5.1 SELECTION TECHNIQUES

Mouse click: moving the arrow shaped mouse cursor to an object (such as a button
or a symbol) and pressing the mouses left button once.
Double click: as above, but pressing the left mouse button rapidly twice.
5.2 SCREEN OBJECTS
Typical objects in LCCS, through which the user communicates with the program by
making a selection or triggering an action, are:
Buttons: clicking when the mouse arrow is over a button triggers the action usually
displayed as the buttons label (like making a menu choice or quitting a program).
Buttons can take 3 different states:
Enabled but not activated: the button is raised.
Enabled and activated: the button appears sunken.
Disabled: a button that is disabled cannot be activated; its label becomes light grey.
Combo Boxes: these boxes let the user select from a list of items. By typing the first
few characters of a possible choice in the box, a matching entry will be displayed and
can be selected by pressing <Enter> or by double-clicking on the desired list item.
A list of entries unfolds upon clicking the down-arrow at the right hand side.
Should the list be longer than the size of the box, vertical scrollbars are displayed at
the right hand side of the box, inviting the user to click on the up or down arrows
to see further entries in the list box.
LCCS Sub-menus: like the Main Menu screen, the LCCS sub-menus let the user
branch to further options by clicking on one of the menu buttons.
F1 Key/Help: pressing the F1 key in any of the forms or screens of LCCS brings up
a context-sensitive Help screen. The effect of pressing the F1 key is the same as
clicking on the Help button.
The Classification Module Actions Panel appears in the majority of forms and screens
of this module. This panel contains 14 buttons that trigger various actions (Figure 5.1).

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The buttons of the Action Panel trigger the following events:

Return to main level This button opens a box containing the question Do you
really want to quit building this class? with the options Yes or No.
Return to previous level This button brings the user back to the previous level, with
all previously selected buttons visible.
Show legend management menu This button brings the user to the Legend
Management Menu.
Show image database query This button activates stand-alone commercial public
domain software for image display (e.g. satellite imagery).
Show classifiers defined for this level This button opens a window with the relevant
classifier options and their corresponding codes. The Close button can be used to
close this window.
Help This button opens the Help facility of the current major land cover type the
user is in and which contains all definitions and guidelines for the correct use of the
classifiers, modifiers and attributes.
Show class information This button opens a new window in which the classifier,
modifier and attributes codes used can be viewed, as well as the name of the land cover
class. The button in the lower right-hand corner can be used to close this window.
Save this class in the legend This button opens a window in which the user has to
select one of its options before the class can be successfully saved in the Legend
Module (for further explanation see Section 6.2).
Show attributes management menu This button brings the user to the
environmental and specific discipline-related-attributes level of the classification.
Go to next level This button brings the user to the next level of the classification and
is only enabled when all available classifiers in the form have been determined. This
button is not available for environmental and specific-discipline-related attributes.
Show items selected in previous level This button shows all the previous classifiers
selections in the previous levels. You cannot use this function to change the previous
choices. This button is active starting from the first level, after the Dichotomous Phase.
Show LCCS class definition language editor This button allows entry to a
programming language editor. Access to this area is restricted and requires a
password. The button is active starting from the Dichotomous Phase.
Show links management menu This button opens the links tools.
Show links information This button shows the links information related to the
combinations of classifiers active in that moment. This button is active only if a link
file is open.

OPERATION

PART TWO

The buttons are in the enabled position when the action they trigger is valid. The
<Show class information> button in the enabled position indicates that a land cover
class has been formed, i.e. the minimum set of classifiers to define a land cover class has
been selected.
In the Legend Module, the screen objects consist of buttons that may also be followed
by a combo box or sub-menu with several options, as described earlier.
For the main Legend menu options Display, Standard Description and Classifiers Used,
a report will be shown that can be printed. The same applies for Similarity Assessment in
the Translator Module.
In the Translator Module, the selection technique consists of clicking on button objects
or highlighting a selected item by clicking once on it (especially in list boxes).

U S E R
M A N U A L

FIGURE 5.1

The Action Panel in the classification module

55

C H A P T E R

THE PROGRAM
MODULES

PART TWO

U S E R

Each of the three modules will be discussed in detail regarding their purpose, the options
available and the links with other modules of the software, together with the Links Function.

M A N U A L

6.1 CLASSIFICATION MODULE

6.1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this module is to define a land cover class according to two main phases:
An initial Dichotomous Phase, where the user derives the main land cover type.
For this phase a choice is made between two alternatives at each level, hence the
term dichotomous. After having determined the main land cover type, the user
can proceed to the next Phase, but can also define a generic class using only this
initial phase.
A subsequent Modular-Hierarchical Phase, where a land cover class is defined by
determining one classifier at a time. The classifiers available are tied to the main land
cover type. In this Phase, the selection of one classifier at a high level may have
consequences for the options available subsequently. The system is constructed in
such a way that classifiers selected at a higher level automatically inactivate certain
lower-level options.
At any level within these Phases the user can ask for the land cover class and store its
Boolean formula, numerical code and class name in the Legend Module.
6.1.2 Dichotomous Phase
In the Dichotomous Phase the user can select the major land cover category to which the
land cover belongs. There are two ways to proceed through the options. Either:
start at the top of the key and determine at each level which option is valid by
clicking the appropriate button; or
identify immediately to which major land cover type the class belongs and click
directly on the relevant button.

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FIGURE 6.1

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Having determined the major land cover type (Figure 6.1), the Dichotomous Phase is
completed and the user automatically enters the next phase. A pop-up screen will inform
the user of the change of Phase.
If the level of information needed or available to determine a land cover class is very
limited, the user can select the appropriate choice(s) in this phase and a land cover class will
be defined. This class will consist of a Boolean formula; a standard name; and numerical
code. This class can be stored in the Legend Module (see Section 6.2). Classes thus defined
are broad categories because of the limited number of classifiers used. For more detailed
definition of classes, the user should apply the classifiers of the Modular-Hierarchical Phase.

58

The dichotomous phase with the classifier options Primarily Vegetated Area(s) >
Terrestrial > Natural and Semi-natural Vegetation selected

THE PROGRAM MODULES

PART TWO

6.1.3 Modular-Hierarchical Phase

The Modular-Hierarchical Phase is a phase where the set of available classifiers is tailored to
the major land cover type. This means that the type, amount and hierarchical arrangement of
classifiers will differ from one major land cover type to another.
In each module, however, three groups of classifiers and attributes are available and
they are always presented in the same hierarchical order. Each type of classifier and
attribute is also presented in a different colour on the video screen (Figure 6.2). A
distinction is made between:
pure land cover classifiers at the top level of the module;
environmental attributes at an intermediate level; and
specific technical or discipline-related attributes at a lower level.

U S E R
M A N U A L

FIGURE 6.2

Example of classifier options at different levels of detail, major land cover type A12,
Herbaceous is subdivided in Forbs and Graminoids

6.1.3.1 Pure Land Cover Classifiers

The difference between these classifiers and the attributes is that the land cover classifiers
are strictly hierarchical. One cannot skip a classifier and go on to the next one unless this
possibility is provided for by the program, as occurs with Semi-Natural and Natural
Vegetation and Cultivated Terrestrial Areas and Managed Lands. The user must
proceed step-by-step in order to develop the structural-physiognomic concept.
The classifiers are also ordered according to their mappability. The classifiers at a high
level have a higher mapping accuracy than classifiers at lower levels, which means that
they will contribute more to establishing clear and precise boundaries between different
land cover classes than will lower-level classifiers. If a classifier cannot be determined, the
user can stop.

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Definition of the land cover class results in:

a unique Boolean formula (a coded string of the classifiers used);
a standard name (nomenclature); and
a unique numerical code, which may be useful in GIS applications.
Both the numerical code and standard name can be used to automatically generate a
Legend (see Section 6.2).
The user will start to identify any land cover class using the pure land cover
classifiers. A minimum number of these classifiers needs to be determined before the
user is allowed to combine these classifiers with any of the attributes. If the minimum
requirement for classifiers has been satisfied, the button for proceeding to the
environmental attributes will be enabled, as well as the buttons to display the class and
save it to the Legend.
The pure land cover classifiers are always presented in blocks in which the choices are
mutually exclusive, i.e. the user can select only one option. Even when the classifiers are
presented in two rows (e.g. in Life Form Woody above Trees and Shrubs in Figure 6.3),
only one option can be selected. If the user clicks on the button Woody followed by
clicking on Trees, the button Woody will return to its original, inactive, position.

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FIGURE 6.3

Example of classifier options at different levels of detail: e.g. major land cover type
A12 where Herbaceous is subdivided in Forbs and Graminoids)

THE PROGRAM MODULES

PART TWO

There are also options that further modify a classifier option (Figure 6.4). These are
called Modifiers and they immediately follow a classifier option (e.g. in Leaf Phenology
for Forbs and Graminoids; Mixed above Perennial and Annual; or in Height for all
Life Forms). Modifiers belonging to one classifier option are mutually exclusive. Only
after selection of the classifier can a modifier be added. If the user clicks the button of a
modifier without having clicked on the appropriate classifier first, a message will pop up
to inform the user that the classifier should be selected first.

U S E R

FIGURE 6.4

Example of modifier that further defines a classifier option (major land cover class
A12 classifier leaf phenology with modifier options mixed and semi-deciduous)

M A N U A L

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The use of these modifiers will generate (examples are shown in Figure 6.5):
a separate Boolean Code (e.g. Basic Classifier: A3A10B2C1 and Modifier: B5)
a distinct numerical code that follows the classifier code and is separated from it by
a hyphen (e.g. 20007-13152); and
a change to the standard name (e.g. Continuous Closed High Forest).
The more classifiers used, the more specific becomes the land cover class defined.
Choices made at a high level may have implications for the availability of a certain
classifier at a lower level. If certain options are no longer valid, the buttons are disabled.
In this way the user is guided through the program and invalid choices prevented.

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FIGURE 6.5

Examples of show class windows with a land cover class defined in the Natural and
Semi-natural Terrestrial Vegetation major land cover type

THE PROGRAM MODULES

PART TWO

6.1.3.2 Environmental Attributes

The environmental attributes are not hierarchically ordered and the user is free to add
appropriate choices in any order. Use of these attributes further defines the environmental
settings in which a land cover unit is found (Figure 6.6). The options within one
environmental attribute are mutually exclusive. Use of attributes will result in:
a separate string of codes in the Boolean formula (e.g. Basic Classifier: A3A10B2C1L2L7; Modifier: B5);
no alteration of the numerical code (e.g. 20007-13152 remains unchanged); and
no change in the standard name, as these choices follow the standard name and each
choice refers back to the attribute itself (e.g. Class Name: Continuous Closed High
Forest; Major Landform: Sloping Land; Slopeclass: Rolling).

U S E R
M A N U A L

FIGURE 6.6

Example of show class window with a land cover class with additional environmental
attributes: Landform, Climate and Floristic Aspect

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6.1.3.3 Specific Technical Attribute

Use of the specific technical attribute will further define the land cover class using the
related discipline (e.g. for vegetation, the method of how species were recorded can be
specified; for cultivated areas, the crop type can be specified. See Figure 6.7). Again,
choices are mutually exclusive. Use of a specific technical attribute will result in:
a separate code added to the string of codes of attributes in the Boolean formula
(e.g. Basic Classifier: A3A10B2C1-L2L7T3; Modifier: B5);
no alteration of the numerical code (e.g. 20007-13152 remains unchanged);
no change in the standard name as the specific technical attribute choice follows the
standard name and after any environmental attributes used (e.g. Class Name: Closed
High Forest; Major Landform: Sloping Land; Slopeclass: Rolling; Floristic aspect:
Dominant species [Height or cover or a combination of both]).
The user can go through the levels of the Modular-Hierarchical Phase of certain major
land cover classes and build up as many classes as needed. These classes can be stored in
the Legend Module, described in detail in the next Section.

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FIGURE 6.7

Example of the use of the specific technical attribute floristic aspect

THE PROGRAM MODULES

PART TWO

6.2 LEGEND MODULE

6.2.1 Purpose
The main purpose of the Legend Module is to take the land cover classes identified and
store them in a hierarchical structure that groups the classes according to the main land
cover type. Therefore, the Legend usually contains only a sub-set of the Classification,
namely those classes that are applicable in the area (to be) interpreted or mapped.
In addition to providing a hierarchical structure, the Legend also offers the capability
to display, edit and add user-defined attributes to a land cover class. It provides standard
descriptions for the classes identified and the classifiers used, and all this information can
be exported in various formats.
Since in the Legend the classification is applied to a specific area, Mixed Mapping Units
can be formed. A Mixed Mapping Unit can comprise two, three or more classes (depending
upon the type of mixed coding option selected) from the same major land cover type, or
two, three or more classes from different major land cover types. The order of the classes in
a Mixed Mapping Unit reflects their dominance in the mapping unit (see also Section 3.8.2).

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6.2.2 How to create a legend

Land cover classes are defined in the Classification Module. A Legend is created by storing
these land cover classes in the Legend. To store a class defined in the Classification Module,
the Save this class in the legend button needs to be clicked on in the action panel of the
Classification Module (see Section 5.2), upon which a sub-menu appears (Figure 6.8).
This sub-menu asks the users whether they want to use one of the possible options to
create a mixed coding symbology. Four different types of mixed coding options are
available: Thematic; Spatial/Cartographic general; Layering, and Time related (see Section
3.8.2). The Thematic mixed coding is the default option. If the user has no mixed coding
to define, clicking on the Single option stores the class defined in the classification
module as a single coding class in the Legend module. The user can then proceed to define
the next new land cover class.
If a mixed code is to be created, the following steps must be followed:
Select one of the four types of mixed coding options.
Define the Mixed option for the class. When the 1st mixed is selected the program
keeps the first class defined in memory and awaits definition of the second or third
components. The mixed coding procedure is completed by clicking End Mixed.
To annul storage of a land cover class in the Legend the user can select Reset all process.
The number of classes that can be used in the mixed coding function depends upon the
type of mixed coding chosen:
Thematic Mixed unit: no limit to the number of classes (A//B//C//D//)
Spatial/Cartographic Mixed unit (general): up to three classes (A/B/C)
Spatial/Cartographic Mixed unit (layering): up to two classes (A+B)
Time Related Mixed unit: up to two classes (A///B)

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The user has unrestricted possibilities to combine different mixed coding options
(e.g. A/B//C+D///C). The only restriction is that one cannot repeat the same mixed
coding option in a different part of the string (e.g. A/B//C/D is not possible because A/B
and C/D are in different parts of the string).
The syntax is:
A single slash (/) indicates that both classes A and B are present in the polygon
(A/B), with the first code covering the majority of the polygon.
Two slashes (//) indicate that there is uncertainty regarding the presence of the two
classes. There is either class A OR class B present in the polygon (A//B).
Three slashes (///) indicate a time-related mixed unit (A///B) and is applicable only
for agriculture. It means in the first year there is class A present and in year 2 there
is class B present.
The Help button gives further information on option selection when writing a class to
the Legend.
When a mixed mapping unit has been stored in the legend module, the user can then
proceed to define other land cover classes.

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FIGURE 6.8

From the classification module Save class to legend window, where the user has to
indicate whether or not the defined land cover class is part of a Mixed Unit

THE PROGRAM MODULES

PART TWO

6.2.3 Using the Legend Management Menu

From the Legend command on the main LCCS2 window, or from the command Legend
Menu on the action panel, the user can manage their own legend in term of visualization,
editing of more information, printing or other actions (Figure 6.9).

FIGURE 6.9

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The Legend Management Menu

M A N U A L

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Example of Edit Legend and Add User-Defined Attributes.

FIGURE 6.10

6.2.3.1 Edit Legend and Add User-Defined Attributes

Clicking on Edit Legend and Add User-Defined Attributes... brings up a screen where
the classes comprising the Legend are displayed, with the elements composing the class in
different boxes (Figure 6.10).

The numerical LCC Code, the Boolean Formula and the Label fields cannot be edited.
The user can edit all the other fields: Map Code; User Label, and Description. To edit
these fields, select the class and then select the Pencil icon
. If you do not edit the
Map Code field, using a personal coding for the different classes, the system will apply a
numerical progressive ID. All the elements of a class are listed in this window. These are
the standard elements of a class and are identical for anyone anywhere in the world using
the system and defining the same class. These elements help the user to trace which class
needs to be edited.
To delete a Class, the user must select the class and click on the delete button:
.
To add User-defined attributes, click on this
button.

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Land cover classes can be cloned in order to add some specific user-defined attributes
to the standard land cover class selected. This allows the addition of more specific and useroriented attributes while maintaining a standardized land cover class. The user might want
to further define a classifier and/or attribute already used, or to add a new attribute.
A standard set of options is provided.
To clone a standard land cover class and add a user-defined attribute, the steps are:
Identify the land cover class to be cloned in the Identify class to be cloned box.
Click on the
button.
A window with the Type of Clone opens (see Figure 6.11) in which one attribute
option needs to be selected, followed by clicking either OK to accept or Cancel if
the operation needs to be cancelled. The option selected will add a figure between
brackets to the coded string of classifiers of the class (e.g. 20007-13152(3)).
The cloned land cover class is shown in the lower part of the screen.
Click on the
, by the User-Defined box; type in the attribute to be added in the
Users Label box and a description in the Description box, if any.

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Press OK.
Select from the list of the User-Defined box, the attributes to add to the class and press apply.
A pop-up message with Cloned legend successfully recorded will be displayed. Press
OK. The cloned class will be listed at the end of the list.
Press Close when no more classes need to be cloned in order to add user-defined attributes.

FIGURE 6.11

Window with the options for definition of the Type of clone in order to add a user-defined
attribute

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6.2.3.2 Display
The Display button in the Legend Management Menu calls up the classes contained in
the Legend and displays them in a pre-defined hierarchical structure (Figure 6.12):
The land cover classes defined are grouped under the main land cover type to which
they belong and according to the Structural Domain within one major land cover type
(e.g. Natural and Semi-Natural Terrestrial Vegetation) (Box 6.1 and Appendix B).
Within one domain, classes are hierarchically ordered according to the level of
classifiers used.
The displayed items are horizontally distributed in columns. Table indicates which of
the eight primary groupings of the dichotomous phase is involved, with the full Structural
Domain name given at the start of the group. LCC Code is the numerical code. Level
indicates the information level. Classifiers displays the generated Boolean string of
classifiers used. Users label shows the personal name assigned to the class by the user
[Note: the user is not obliged to fill this field; it can remain empty]. Land Cover Class
Name is the software-assigned description of the class and is automatically generated.
Map Code is automatically generated by the software in progressive numeric format,
but can be fully edited by the user. Users Description [off-screen in Figure 6.12] is a
detailed description of the class and can be filled in or not, as the user wishes.
Mixed Mapping Units will be displayed under the Structural Domain Mixed Class
under the major land cover type of the first and therefore dominant element of the class.

FIGURE 6.12

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Example of Display Legend screen

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6.2.3.3 Standard Description

The user is provided with a Standard Description for every class defined in the
Classification Module and stored in the Legend. This description gives more insight into
the classifiers used and the structure of the class than can be inferred from the standard
name alone. User-defined attributes are not incorporated in the Standard Description; for
an explanation of those, the Legend Edit option should be used.

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BOX 6.1
M A N U A L

MAJOR LAND COVER TYPES WITH THEIR STRUCTURAL DOMAINS

A11. Cultivated and Managed
Terrestrial Areas

A12. Natural and Semi-Natural

Terrestrial Vegetation

A23. Cultivated Aquatic or

Regularly Flooded Areas

A24. Natural and Semi-Natural

Aquatic or
Regularly Flooded Vegetation

B15. Artificial Surfaces and

Associated Areas

Tree Crops
Shrub Crops
Herbaceous Crops
Graminoid Crops
Non-Graminoid Crops
Managed Lands
Forest
Woodland
Thicket
Shrubland
Grasslands
Sparse Vegetation
Lichens/Mosses
Aquatic Or Regularly Flooded Graminoid
Crops
Aquatic Or Regularly Flooded NonGraminoid Crops
Forest
Woodland
Closed Shrubs
Open Shrubs
Grasslands
Sparse Vegetation
Lichens/Mosses
Built-Up Areas
Non-Built-Up Areas

B16. Bare Areas

Consolidated Areas
Unconsolidated Areas

B27. Artificial Surfaces and

Associated Areas

Artificial Waterbodies
Artificial Snow
Artificial Ice

B28. Natural Waterbodies,

Snow and Ice

Natural Waterbodies
Snow
Ice

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6.2.3.4 Classifiers Used

In the Display, Edit Legend and Add User Defined Attributes and Standard Description
menu options, the Boolean Formula of the land cover class defined is displayed. The menu
option Classifiers Used gives the user the possibility to interpret what these code strings
mean, as it presents, under the headings of the major land cover types, the key to the codes
used in the Legend (Figure 6.13).

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Example of legend Classifiers Used

FIGURE 6.13

In the Standard Class Description, classes are hierarchically arranged according to the
Structural Domains of each Major Land Cover Type (see Box 6.1), identical to the Legend
Display, and the following information is shown:
The standard land cover class name (LCC Label) followed by the user-defined label,
if any (LCC User defined label).
The Standard Description of the class is given, followed by the User defined
description, if any. This description may be useful in reports accompanying maps in
which the classes of the map are described in more detail.

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This explanation will be useful in GIS and database queries where the user wants to
re-select the data according to a certain classifier or a group of classifiers. Combining
numerical codes and the Boolean formula allows re-grouping according to userdefined queries.
The Standard Description can be printed by selecting Print from the toolbar at the top
of the screen (Figure 6.14).

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FIGURE 6.14

Example of the Legend Standard Description

M A N U A L

6.2.3.5 Print
Clicking on this menu option will not invoke a new screen display but will send the created
Legend to the printer. The output appears as described under Display (Section 6.2.3.2).
6.2.3.6 Save/Retrieve
This set of options allows the user to Save and Retrieve the legends created without
enabling exchange facility with other LCCS users. A legend stored in this way can only be
retrieved by the same copy of the software program.
To Save a Legend, click on Save and a window will open in which the user is asked
to type in the legend name in the appropriate box. No pathway needs to be entered.
To Retrieve a Legend, click on Retrieve and a window will open containing the
names of the legends already saved. Click with the mouse on the correct name and
click OK or Cancel.
The option Delete in the Retrieve window will delete a stored legend.

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FIGURE 6.15

FIGURE 6.16

The Export Legend sub-menu

The Import Legend sub-menu

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6.2.3.7 Export/Import
Selecting the Export/Import option on the menu causes a new window to open which
contains a number of options. This set of options allows storage of legends in specified
formats and exchange of legends with other LCCS users on different computer platforms.

74

To Export a Legend: click on Export and select one of the five options displayed
(Figure 6.15):
To a text file will store the Legend as a .txt file;
To an HTML file will store the Legend as an .htm file;
To an XML file will store the Legend as an .xml file;
To an Excel file will store the Legend as a spreadsheet .xls file; and
To an external (and already existing) Access database will store the Legend as an
Access database file for re-import as an .mdb file. Note that an empty .mdb file
must be created first, ready to receive the data;
select Export to export the legend in the selected file format(s); and
a new window opens in which the user can type the name and select the directory
in which to store the legend.
To Import a Legend, click on Import and specify whether it is a spreadsheet or an
external database file and select the path and the filename of the legend to be
imported. It is possible to import a legend from a .txt file, from an .xls spreadsheet
file or from an .mdb database file (Figure 6.16).
At the end of the procedure, LCCS will export two files; one in the format selected
(name.xls) and, the second, in .txt format (name_gc.txt) where gc means GIS code. The .txt
file contains only the GIS code of the exported legend.

THE PROGRAM MODULES

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6.2.3.8 New Legend

This option allows the user to remove the existing Legend, which can be stored in the
Output to window specifying the directory and name. The default format is a .txt file and
a new legend can be created, as the user is so informed. When one creates a new legend, the
software will automatically create a .txt file, with the same name as the legend, plus an
additional extension, should the user wish to create links (see Section 6.3, on Links
Function). For instance, if the legend is called LandCover, there would be two files:
LandCover.txt and LandCover_lnk.txt.

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6.2.3.9 Import GIS Code

Using this command is possible to import an existing class from another legend using the
GIS Code alone. When one clicks on the command, a window will appear asking for the
GIS Code (Figure 6.17). It is also possible to browse a .txt file containing a list of GIS
Codes. The user can even activate the option Show Imported GIS Code, which shows the
description of the imported class. A notification message is generated by the software
when the GIS code is imported correctly. After this, the user can see and manage the
imported class, on the same basis as classes that have been created normally using the
classification forms.

FIGURE 6.17

Example of Legend Import GIS Code

6.2.3.10 Export GIS Code

This function, allows export of an existing legend using only the GIS Codes. The user
can select the command from the Legend Management window, a dialog panel will
appear, asking if the user wants to export only one GIS Code or all the Codes of the
active legend (Figure 6.18). In the first case, one has to select the class to export from the
whole list and after insert the path and the name of the new .txt file where the GIS Code
will be stored. In the second case, the user enters the path and the name of the .txt file
containing all the GIS Codes.

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Export GIS Code sub-menu

6.2.3.11 Close
The Close menu option will return the users to where they were previously. If the user was
in the Classification Module before, new classes can be defined and written to the Legend.

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FIGURE 6.18

6.3 TRANSLATOR MODULE

6.3.1 Purpose
Existing classifications and legends can be translated into the reference classification. By
translating them into LCCS, the system acts as a reference base allowing correlation
between classifications and legends, or both.
The Translator Module (Figure 6.19) is accessible from the main LCCS menu and offers
the possibility to:
translate classes of existing classifications and legends into LCCS;
assess similarity of classes according to other classifications and legends using LCCS
as a reference base;
compare classes of translated classifications and legends and their attributes, using
LCCS as a reference base, at the level of the individual classifiers used; and
compare two land cover classes of LCCS and their attributes (these may be two
classes belonging to the same major land cover type or two classes belonging to two
different land cover types), which may be useful when comparing a preliminary land
cover class with a validated land cover class in field surveys.
FAO will coordinate input of translated classifications and legends for the time being.
Major current classifications translated into the system will come as a standard with the
software program or be provided as they become available.
6.3.2 How to translate a classification or legend
Translation of external classifications and legends into LCCS can be done by using the
Classification Module, thus creating a new Legend (see Sections 6.1 and 6.2) that can be
imported into the Translator Module, or prepared by direct input of external classes. In
both cases the Import option will be used.

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FIGURE 6.19

Main Translator Module Menu

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FIGURE 6.20

First screen of import procedure

6.3.2.1 Import
If the user has created a new Legend containing all the classes of the classification or legend
to be imported, these classes can be imported in the Translator Module one by one. From
the Translator Module menu choose Import: this will result in opening a new screen
(Figure 6.20) that displays the classes stored in the Legend Module (bottom left box).

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Classes are now ready to be exported from the Legend Module into the Translator Module
using the following procedure:
Create a new classification by clicking on New Class and fill in the Code and
External Classification Name fields.
Click on one of the classes displayed in the bottom left list and then select Add
Legend or simply double click on the class.
If needed, type the original name or a different one in Class Name in legend field
and fill in the Map Code field, then click on Save Class. If not specified, a Map
Code will be assigned automatically on the basis of the number and order of the
previously imported classes. Note that if the user has more legends already
imported and some new classes are being added to the last one, after clicking on
Save Class, the software will go back to the first legend in the External
Classification list, so the user must select again the correct legend and repeat the
same steps for each class to import.
If a class consists of two LCCS classes, i.e. a Mixed Class, the procedure is the same.
The software will automatically recognize the Mixed Class. In the ENV attributes field the
software will show the environmental attributes related to a class with ENV attributes; in
the case of a mixed class, the mixed symbol (/ or //) will appear in the same ENV attributes
field. This stepwise procedure allows each individual land cover class in the Legend to be
exported into the Translator Module.
Metadata information can also be associated with the imported legend using the
Background Info command (Figure 6.21).

FIGURE 6.21

Legend Background Information window

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6.3.2.2 Display Imported Legend

This screen will display the final result of the external classification imported and its
translation to LCCS (Figure 6.22). The user can opt either to display according to the order
used in the original classification or legend, or to display according to LCCS order. Mixed
Classes will be displayed according to the dominant, and first-mentioned, class.
To display an imported Legend:
Select the classification and click on the OK button.
The imported classes will be shown in the order of the original IDs on the left side
of the screen.
There are two other options for displays, which affect the order in which the classes
are displayed: Original AZ follows the order of the imported legend or
classification, whereas External AZ follows the intrinsic LCCS order.
The Add User Defined Legend button will allow the user to add user-defined classes
to the legend.
The Close option will bring the user back to the Main Menu of the Translator Module.

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FIGURE 6.22

Imported legend displayed

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6.3.3 Comparison of External Classes

6.3.3.1 Similarity Assessment
The similarity of individual external classes to other legends or classifications can be
quantified. Select the option Similarity Assessment in the Translator Module Menu. In the
screen displayed, the user has to select the classification and then the reference class with
which the other classes will be compared. A number of threshold settings are provided.
These values are stored in a table of correspondence in which two assumptions have been made:
the classifier Trees is the same whether coming from Natural or Semi-Natural
Vegetation or from Cultivated Areas; and
the classifier Herbaceous comprises Graminoids and Forbs or Non-Graminoids,
therefore the threshold has been set at 50 percent. The same applies to Woody.
To make a Similarity Assessment of two classes (e.g. as in Figures 6.23 and 6.24):
Select the Classification that should provide the Reference Class.
Select the reference class from the list.
Click the Compare similarity assessment button.
Select the Legend to be Compared from the list on the right.
Chose the parameters for the comparison.
Set the threshold values. Two groups are distinguished: (i) to set if the first classifier
should be the same; (ii) to set the threshold value of the similarity.
Select Empty Report.
Click Process and the assessment will start. A pop-up message will be displayed
when the assessment has been completed.
Select Preview Report and a report will be displayed showing the Reference Class,
the legend or classification selected for similarity assessment and the results, namely
the classes and the similarity value.
Select Close to return to the Main Menu of the Translator Module.

THE PROGRAM MODULES

PART TWO

FIGURE 6.23

First screen of the Similarity Assessment, in which the reference land cover class is selected

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FIGURE 6.24

Compare Similarity Assessment window for the Afghanistan

reference class and the Lebanon legend

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6.3.3.2 Comparison of External Classes

Once classes have been translated into LCCS, the system can act as a reference base for
comparison. Individual classes provided by the system can be compared at the level of their
classifiers and attributes; user-defined attributes will not be considered. By selecting the
option Comparison of External Classes from the Translator Module Menu, a screen will be
displayed showing the translated classifications or legends available and their class codes.
The user has to choose the two classes to compare, selecting them from the list and clicking
on the relative arrow button: a Reference Class and a Class to be Compared. They can
belong to the same classification or different ones (Figure 6.25).

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Comparison of External Classes window

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Clicking on the OK button will bring the user to the comparison screen (Figure 6.26),
where the colours of the boxes give the comparison status. The comparison will take into
account all the classifiers of the class to be compared with those of the reference class. The
following colours may be displayed:
blue: from the same classifier, the options selected are identical;
red: from the same classifier, different options have been selected (e.g. from the
classifier Life Form one class contains the option Trees and the other Non-Graminoids);
yellow: the two classifiers are different and comparison does not make sense or only
one of the two classes contains this classifier.
The same procedure can be followed for comparison of Environmental Attributes, if
any, by clicking on the Attributes button.

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6.3.4 Comparison of Two LCCS Classes

Two LCCS classes may be compared at the level of classifiers and attributes used. Such a
comparison might be between a class defined in a preliminary interpretation and another
derived from field observation. Selecting Comparison of LCCS Classes from the Translator
Module Menu will open a window which allows the user to select the two classes to be
compared: the Reference Class and the Class to be Compared (see Figure 6.27). The two
Classes can be entered manually by typing the correct codes or can be selected from the
list opened by clicking on the buttons with three dots. The results of the comparison are
displayed in a similar screen to the one for the Comparison of Two External Classes
(Section 6.3.3, Figure 6.27).
6.3.5 Export table/Import table
Export/Import is used to export or import the translated legends. Five different file
formats are available for the export action (the same formats as for export of an LCCS
legend) and three formats are available for the import action (the same formats for import
of an LCCS legend).

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Compare Similarity Assessment Calculation window

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FIGURE 6.26

FIGURE 6.27

Example of Comparison of LCCS classes window

Here the user can type in the correct code or use the buttons and select the classes to compare
from the list

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6.4 LINKS FUNCTION

6.4.1 Purpose
LCCS Links is a new function introduced in version 2 of the software. It allows the user
to establish a link between each single classifier forming an LCCS class and any value
linked to any biophysical characteristic that can be related to land cover.
Links works by creating a range of values that can be associated with each classifier. The
logic is that this range of values will become narrower as the information content increases.
If, for example, end-users want to define the firewood production of one area in terms of
tonnes per hectare, they can start by defining a link of value 1001000 for the classifier
trees. This general, wide range will be narrowed when the classifier closed will be
added to the classifier trees. In this case, the range could be 8001000. Should another
classifier be added, e.g. open, the range would be further restricted, for example
400800, and similarly for other classifier combinations.
Therefore, the user creates different ranges of values linked with the classifier(s) that are
relevant for the information to be determined. When the link is completed, activation of the
link in the presence of an LCCS legend will automatically determine a range of values linked
to the whole set of classes present in the legend. Basically, the software will check the
classifier(s) present for each class and accordingly assign the value determined by the link.

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6.4.2 Links Management Menu

From the Action Panel (Figure 5.1), click on the Show Links Management menu button.
A window will appear with a set of commands (Figure 6.28) for creating and managing
Links properties.
FIGURE 6.28

Links Management Menu

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In this window, there are ten commands; initially, five are active and five inactive. All
of them will be active when you click Create a new link or Open Link (see below).
Create a new link command is for creating a new link file. The link file will be stored
with an .lcl file extension readable only from LCCS2.
The Open Link command opens an existing Link file, already created by the
current or other user.
Reset all Links deletes all the links already related to the class legend. The software
will ask if the user wishes to save the link data in .txt format.
Export and Import commands allow the export and import of link table attributes.
Five different file formats are available for exporting and three formats are available
for importing (the formats are the same as the ones for exporting and importing
LCCS legends).
Close will close the active link, so that the user is ready to open a new link section.
It is important to note that to be certain that all previous parameters added have
been removed from the list, one must return to the Dichotomous Phase.
The Links Management Menu window changes appearance when a new link is created
or an existing link is opened, showing the activation of more options: (Figure 6.29).

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FIGURE 6.29

FIGURE 6.30

Links Management Menu with all the

functions activated

Link file type sub-menu

THE PROGRAM MODULES

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Record macro, used to record the range of the link.

Activate Link, used to import a link file already created in an existing legend or a
new one.
Close Link closes the active link, but without deleting the information linked to
the legend.
View Link Tree shows all the ranges associated with the link and the related classifiers.
View Link Info shows the user the information on the active classifiers.

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6.4.3 How to create a link

To create a link file, click on the Create a new link command. The software will ask to
select one of two possibilities (Figure 6.30):
Encrypted Link File, available only to advanced users authorized with a password; or
Text File Link, active for all users.
The user must then select the file name and path for storage of the link file and use the
subsequent window to insert a description of the link created.
When this is done, the software passes to Record Macro Mode, closes the link window
and goes back to the classification window. As soon the user has selected a class, e.g. Trees,
a new window (Figure 6.31) will appear, ready for entry of the range values.

M A N U A L

FIGURE 6.31

Example of a generic Define link ranges window

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Example of Natural and Semi-Natural Terrestrial Vegetation group, ready to enter the
range of Firewood production; the active link and its path is shown on the active title bar

FIGURE 6.32

The user can now enter the range of variation in numeric format between a minimum
and a maximum value. In the Range Type field, the unit of measurement needs to be
specified (it is possible to use letters, numbers, special characters and spaces, alone or in
combination). For instance, the user might give to the Trees classifier (A1) a range between
10 and 500 and then click Save. If the same range must be given to a group of classifiers,
before saving, the user should select the OR operator by either clicking on Save or
hitting the Esc key on the keyboard, then continue with classifier selection. When finished,
the user has to click with the right-hand mouse button on the last selected classifier to go
back to the Define link range window, remove the OR operator and finally click Save. It
is possible to assign further range values to the next classifiers using the same procedure
but is important to always save for each level of classification. It is also very important to
try to use a hierarchical method for inputting the ranges. The user should proceed
sequentially from A to B, then to C and then D (Figure 6.32). It is not advisable to try to
go from A to C and then back to B, and then to D (mixing of the steps is not allowed).

88

THE PROGRAM MODULES

PART TWO

If Include Previous Classifier option is active, the list of all the classifiers will be
displayed (Figure 6.33); if it is inactive, the user can see only the link for the last active
classifier of the combination.
From the Links Management menu, clicking on View Link Info[rmation] button and
then on View Hierarchical Tree or clicking directly on View Link Tree the user can see
the sequence of the active classifiers highlighted with the related range value (Figure 6.34).
The same window is displayed when the user clicks on the Show links information button
from the toolbar in the classification mode.

U S E R

FIGURE 6.33

Example of a Define link ranges window with firewood production ranges

M A N U A L

FIGURE 6.34

View hierarchical tree window

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In Stop macro mode, all the classifiers are selectable without modifying the previous
range value(s) added. If one or more classifiers have links, they are displayed in the Legend
Management Menu window (Figure 6.9) in Display or Standard Description mode, but
only if the class created contains one or more classifiers with link values. In Display, the
link will be listed after the relative class set off by a grey bar. When the link file is ready,
the user can start to create the legend. The information will be automatically linked to the
classifiers used in the legend. It is possible to see the value (the last classifiers with a link or
the list of all the classifiers with their related links) using the Display command or Standard
Attributes command from the Using Legend Management Menu window.

90

6.5 CLOSE
The Close menu option will return the users to where they were previously. If the user was
in the Classification Module, new classes can now be defined and saved in the Legend.

PART TWO

REFERENCES
Alexandratos, N. (ed). 1995. World Agriculture: Towards 2010. An FAO Study. Rome: FAO, and
Chichester, UK: Wiley and Sons.
Anderson, J.R., Hardy, E.E., Roach, J.T. & Witmer, R.E. 1976. A land use and land cover
classification system for use with remote sensor data. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper,
No. 964. USGS, Washington, D.C.

U S E R

Barisano, E. 1996. Proposition prliminaire pour une lgende de loccupation du sol pour le projet
Africover. Draft report. FAO, Rome.

M A N U A L

Beek, K.J., De Bie, K. & Driessen, P. 1997. Land information and land evaluation for land use
planning and sustainable land management. The Land, 1(1): 2744.
Belward, A. (ed). 1996. The IGBP-DIS global 1 km land cover data set DISCover Proposal and
implementation plans. Report of the Land Cover Working Group of the IGBP-DIS. IGBP-DIS
Working Paper, No. 13. Stockholm.
CEC [Commission of the European Communities]. 1993. CORINE Land Cover Guide
technique. Brussels.
Cowardin, L.M., Carter, V., Golet, F.C. & LaRoe, E.T. 1979. Classification of wetlands and
deepwater habitats of the United States. Office of Biological Services, Fish and Wildlife Services,
U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington D.C.
Danserau, P. 1961. Essai de rpresentation cartographique des lments structuraux de la vgtation.
pp. 233255, in: H. Gaussen (ed). Mthodes de la cartographie de la vgtation. Centre National
de la Recherche Scientifique. 97th International Colloquium, Toulouse, France, 1960.
Darwin, R., Tsigas, M., Lewandrowski, J. & Raneses, A. 1996. Land use and cover in ecological
economics. Ecological Economics, 17: 157181.
De Pauw E., Nachtergaele F.O. & Antoine J. 1996. A provisional world climatic resource inventory
based on the length-of-growing-period concept. In Batjes N.H., Kauffman J.H. & Spaargaren O.C.
(Ed.), National Soil Reference Collections and Databases (NASREC Vol.3), ISRIC, 1996, pp.30-43.
Di Gregorio, A. 1991. Technical report on the land cover mapping of Lebanon. FAO Project
NECP/LEB/001/SAU.
Di Gregorio, A. 1995. FAO land use statistics: A case study for three countries using remote sensing
and GIS technology. Consultancy Report for FAO Statistics Division, Rome.
Di Gregorio, A. & Jansen, L.J.M. 1997. A new concept for a land cover classification system.
Proceedings of the Earth Observation and Environmental Information 1997 Conference.
Alexandria, Egypt, 1316 October 1997.
Di Gregorio, A. & Jansen, L.J.M. 1996a. Part I Technical document on the Africover Land Cover
Classification Scheme. pp. 433; 6376, in: FAO. Africover Land Cover Classification. 1997.
Di Gregorio, A. & Jansen, L.J.M. 1996b. FAO Land Cover Classification System: A Dichotomous,
Modular-Hierarchical Approach. Paper presented at the Federal Geographic Data Committee
Meeting Vegetation Subcommittee and Earth Cover Working Group. Washington D.C., 1517
October 1996.

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Duhamel, C. 1995. Programme tldtection et statistique. Cadre de travail statistique utilisation des
sols. Draft. Eurostat/CESD-Communautaire, Luxembourg.
Eiten, G. 1968. Vegetation forms. A classification of stands of vegetation based on structure, growth
form of the components, and vegetative periodicity. Boletim do Instituto de Botanica (San Paulo),
No. 4.
European Soils Bureau (ed). 1997. Geo-referenced Soil Database For Europe. Manual of
Procedures. Draft 2.1. pp. 7981.
FAO. 1988. FAO-UNESCO Soil Map of the World. Revised Legend. FAO/UNESCO/ISRIC
World Soil Resources Reports, No. 60 (Reprinted 1990)
FAO. 1995. Planning for sustainable use of land resources. Towards a new approach. FAO Land and
Water Bulletin, No. 2.
FAO. 1997. Africover Land Cover Classification. Rome.
FAO. 2000. Land Cover Classification System (LCCS). Classification Concepts and User Manual
for software version 1.0. By A. Di Gregorio and L.J.M. Jansen. Rome.
Ford-Robertson, F.C. (ed). 1971. Terminology of Forest Science, Technology Practice and Products.
Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC.
Fosberg, F.R. 1961. A classification of vegetation for general purposes. Tropical Ecology,
2: 128.

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Di Gregorio, A. & Jansen, L.J.M. 1996c. The Africover Land Cover Classification System: A
Dichotomous, Modular-Hierarchical Approach. Working Paper with the Proposal for the
International Working Group Meeting. Dakar, 2931 July 1996. FAO, Rome.

Humboldt, A. von. 1807. Ideen zu einer Physiognomik der Gewaechse. Tbingen.

Jansen, L.J.M. & Di Gregorio, A. 1997. Problems of current classifications: development of a new
approach. Paper prepared for the EC Eurostat Seminar on Land Cover and Land Use
Information Systems for European Policy Needs. Luxembourg, 2123 January 1998.
Kuechler, A.W. & Zonneveld, I.S. (eds). 1988. Vegetation Mapping. Handbook of Vegetation
Science, Vol. 10. Dordecht, the Netherlands: Kluwer Academic.
Meyer, W.B. & Turner II, B.L. 1992. Human population growth and global land use/land cover
change. pp. 3961, in: Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, No. 23.
Mueller-Dombois, D. & Ellenberg, J.H. 1974. Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology. New York,
USA and London: John Wiley.
Ngre, T. 1995. Report of the Preparatory Mission: Outlines for the Africover Classification System.
Draft document. FAO, Rome.
Reichert, P. & Di Gregorio, A. 1995. Preparation of a forest cover map and reconnaissance forest
inventory of Albania. Technical Report of FAO Project GCP/ALB/002/IDA.
SCS [U.S. Soil Conservation Service]. 1975. Soil Taxonomy, by the Soil Survey Staff. USDA
Agriculture Handbook, No. 436. Washington, DC.
Sims, D. 1995. Background note on ongoing activities relating to land cover and land use
classification. FAO/AGLS, Rome.

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Sokal R. 1974. Classification: purposes, principles, progress, prospects. Science, 185(4157): 111123.

PART TWO

Thompson, M. 1996. A standard land-cover classification for remote-sensing applications in South

Africa. South African Journal of Science, 92: 3442.
Townshend, J.R.G. (ed). 1992. Improved global data for land applications. IGBP Report No. 20.
IGBP Secretariat/Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.
Trochain, J.L. 1961. Reprsentation cartographique des types de vgtation intertropicaux africains.
pp. 87102, in: H. Gaussen (ed). Mthodes de la cartographie de la vgtation. Centre National
de la Recherche Scientifique. 97th International Colloquium, Toulouse, France, 1960.

U S E R

UNEP/FAO. 1994. Report of the UNEP/FAO Expert Meeting on Harmonizing Land Cover and
Land Use Classifications. Geneva, 2325 November 1993. GEMS Report Series, No. 25.

M A N U A L

UNEP/ISSS/ISRIC/FAO. 1995. Global and National Soils and Terrain Digital Databases (SOTER).
Procedures Manual. FAO World Soil Resources Reports, 74 (Rev. 1).
UNESCO. 1973. International Classification and Mapping of Vegetation. Paris.
Walter, H. 19681973. Die Vegetation der Erde. Stuttgart, Germany: Gustav Fischer Verlag.
White, F. 1983. The Vegetation of Africa. A Descriptive Memoir to Accompany the
UNESCO/EATFAT/UNSO Vegetation Map of Africa. UNESCO. Paris, France.
Wyatt, B., Billington, C., De Bie, K., De Leeuw, J., Greatorex-Davies, N. & Luxmoore, R.
(unpubl.) Guidelines for land cover and land use description and classification. Draft Final
Report. UNEP/FAO/ITC/ITE/WCMC, Huntingdon, UK.

93

APPENDIX

GLOSSARY
OF CLASSIFIERS,
MODIFIERS AND
ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

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A1.1.1 LIFE FORM (A12 AND A24)

A Life Form is a group of plants having certain morphological features in common
(Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).
A further distinction is made between Lichens/Mosses and, according to the quality of
the main axis or shoots, Woody or Herbaceous. For further sub-division, additional
growth form criteria are: the quality of the main axis or shoots, sub-dividing Woody from
Herbaceous; branching symmetry, sub-dividing Trees from Shrubs; and physiognomy of
the herbaceous plants, sub-dividing Forbs and Graminoids from Lichens/Mosses
(Strasburger et al., 1983; Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).
Guidelines
The Life Form is the first classifier the user will use and therefore the most critical one.
Depending on the main Life Form selected, the classification and its software program will
reduce the number of options available for the second and third strata.
In selecting the main Life Form, two main criteria have to be considered:

Definition of Life Form

Definition of the dominance of a Life Form

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A1.1
NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL VEGETATED AREAS
(A12 AND A24)

Definition of Life Form

Life Form of a plant is defined by its physiognomic aspect: Woody plants, sub-divided into
Trees and Shrubs, are distinguished from Herbaceous Life Forms, which are sub-divided
into Forbs and Graminoids, and Lichens/Mosses.
A condition of Height is applied to separate Trees from Shrubs: woody plants higher
than 5 m are classified as Trees. In contrast, woody plants lower than 3 m are classified as
Shrubs. This general rule is subject to the following exception: a woody plant with a clear
physiognomic aspect of trees can be classified as Trees even if the Height is lower than 5 m
but more than 3 m. In this case, a subcondition of physiognomic aspect is added to the
Height condition.
These are the recommended thresholds for Life Form characterization, but exceptions
are allowed:

Plants essentially herbaceous but with a woody appearance (e.g. bamboos and ferns) are
classified as Trees if the height is more than 5 m and as Shrubs if the height is less than 5 m.

For the classifier Woody alone, when no other specification is added (indistinct
and/or intricate mixture of trees and shrubs), the higher limit is set at 7 m and the
lower one at 2 m.

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

Definition of the dominance of a Life Form

The dominance of a Life Form is based on the uppermost canopy level, ranging from Trees
to Shrubs to Forbs/Graminoids. This main condition for uppermost canopy has to be
considered in conjunction with the sub-condition Cover, ranging from Closed or Open to
Sparse. In other words, the uppermost canopy concept is only valid if the dominant Life Form
has a cover either Closed, Open or Closed to Open. If the Life Form is Sparse then the
dominance goes to another Life Form that has a Closed or Open cover.
This can be illustrated by the following example from A12:
What is normally called Tree Savannah consists of a closed herbaceous
vegetative cover that forms the main layer, with a second layer of sparse trees
projecting above. In this case, the use of the uppermost canopy concept would
designate the trees as a dominant layer over the herbaceous layer. Because of the
sub-condition of cover, sparse trees cannot be the dominant Life Form with the
presence of the closed herbaceous layer. This concept must be carefully considered
due to the in-built conditions in the classification system. If the user starts with
the wrong main Life Form, e.g. sparse trees, the option to select closed herbaceous
as second layer will not be available because the system excludes any closed
vegetation layer if the main stratum is sparse.
Figure A1.1 summarizes the above criteria for determining the dominant Life Form:
Layering conditions for dominant life forms are illustrated in Figure A1.2 Trees; Figure
A1.3 Shrubs; and Figure A1.4 Herbaceous/Forbs/Graminoids.

FIGURE A1.1

Matrix for determining the dominant Life form

trees

shrubs

herbaceous

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
main layer

CLOSED (forest)
TREES

TREES

closed

OPEN (woodland)

open
X

SHRUBS

CLOSED (thicket)

closed

SHRUBS

open

OPEN (shrubland)

X
HERBACEOUS

sparse to absent

closed to absent

sparse to absent

CLOSED TO OPEN

HERBACEOUS
closed to open

SPARSE
VEGETATION

DEPENDING ON
THE DOMINANT
LIFE FORM

closed to absent

sparse to absent

97

Layering criteria for Trees

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FIGURE A1.2

LAYERING CONDITIONS

FIRST LAYER
FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL

CLOSED

OPEN

SPARSE

HEIGHT
[ not influencing the layering except for subcondition of height ]

MACROPATTERN
LEAF TYPE
LEAF PHENOLOGY
[ not influencing the layering; can be skipped ]

LAYER
THIRD

LAYER

SECOND

TREES

98

TREES

CLOSED
OPEN

SPARSE

SHRUBS

CLOSED
OPEN

SPARSE

HERBACEOUS

CLOSED
OPEN

HEIGHT
[ not influencing the layering except for subcondition of height ]

TREES

SHRUBS

SPARSE

SPARSE

HEIGHT
[ not influencing the layering except for subcondition of height ]

SPARSE

APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

FIGURE A1.3
Layering criteria for Shrubs

LAYERING CONDITIONS

FIRST LAYER
FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL

SHRUBS

CLOSED

OPEN

SPARSE

HEIGHT
[ not influencing the layering except for subcondition of height ]

MACROPATTERN
LEAF TYPE
LEAF PHENOLOGY
[ not influencing the layering; can be skipped ]

CLOSED
OPEN

SPARSE

SHRUBS

CLOSED
OPEN*

SPARSE

HERBACEOUS

CLOSED
OPEN

SPARSE

HEIGHT
[ not influencing the layering except for subcondition of height ]

TREES

SHRUBS

SPARSE

SPARSE

THIRD

LAYER

SECOND

LAYER

TREES

HEIGHT
[ not influencing the layering except for subcondition of height ]

* Only for dwarf shrubs

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Layering criteria for Herbaceous/Graminoids/Forbs

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FIGURE A1.4

LAYERING CONDITIONS

FIRST LAYER
FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL

HERBACEOUS, GRAMINOIDS, FORBS

CLOSED

OPEN

HEIGHT
[ not influencing the layering ]

LAYER
SECOND

MACROPATTERN
LEAF TYPE
LEAF PHENOLOGY
[ not influencing the layering; can be skipped ]

TREES

SHRUBS

SPARSE

SPARSE

HEIGHT
[ not influencing the layering ]

THIRD

LAYER

SHRUBS

100

SPARSE

SPARSE

HEIGHT
[ not influencing the layering ]

APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

Guidelines
This special class had been created for plants in the 2-7 m range, when no further definition
into Tree or Shrubs is specified.
The Woody class can be applied basically in two cases:

the vegetation is an intricate mixture of both trees and shrubs which cannot be
distinguished and with height included in the 2-7 m range;

the user is not interested in further subdivision into trees or shrubs or has no
information about it.
If the user does not know if the vegetation is composed by Trees or Shrubs, the use of
mixed units is recommended (A//B).

APPENDIX

A1.1.2 WOODY (A12 AND A24)

Perennial plants with stem(s) and branches from which buds and shoots develop are defined
as woody (Ford-Robertson, 1971). Semi-woody plants are included here (Eiten, 1968).
Depending on the branching symmetry, a distinction is made between Trees and Shrubs
(Strasburger et al., 1983). With reference to the International Classification and Mapping of
Vegetation (UNESCO, 1973), bamboos and tuft plants (palms, tree ferns, etc.) can also
belong to this category. Depending on their height, they are classified as Trees or Shrubs.

A1.1.3 TREES (A12 AND A24)

A tree is defined as a woody perennial plant with a single, well-defined stem carrying a
more-or-less-defined crown (Ford-Robertson, 1971) and being at least 3 m tall.
Guidelines
A condition of Height is applied to separate Trees from Shrubs: woody plants higher than
5 m are classified as Trees. In contrast, woody plants lower than 5 m are classified as
Shrubs. This general rule is subject to the following exception: a woody plant with a clear
physiognomic aspect of a tree can be classified as Trees even if the Height is lower than 5 m
but more than 3 m. In this case, a subcondition of physiognomic aspect is added to the
Height condition.
These are the recommended thresholds for Life Form characterization, but exceptions
are allowed:

Plants essentially herbaceous but with a woody appearance (e.g. bamboos and ferns)
are classified as Trees if the height is more than 5 m and as Shrubs if the height is less
than 5 m.

For the classifier Woody (indistinct and/or intricate mixture of trees and shrubs), the
higher limit is set at 7 m and the lower one at 2 m.

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A1.1.4 SHRUBS (A12 AND A24)

Shrubs are woody perennial plants with persistent woody stems and without any defined
main stem (Ford-Robertson, 1971), being less than 5 m tall. The growth habit can be erect,
spreading or prostrate.
Guidelines
Life Form of a plant is defined by its physiognomic aspect. This is the case when Woody
plants, sub-divided into Trees and Shrubs, are distinguished from Herbaceous plants, subdivided into Forbs and Graminoids, and Lichens/Mosses.
A condition of Height is applied to separate Trees from Shrubs: woody plants higher
than 5 m are classified as Trees. In contrast, woody plants lower than 5 m are classified as
Shrubs. This general rule is subject to the following exception: a woody plant with a clear
physiognomic aspect of trees can be classified as Trees even if the Height is lower than 5 m
but more than 3 m. In this case, a subcondition of physiognomic aspect is added to the
Height condition.
These are the recommended thresholds for Life Form characterization, but exceptions
are allowed:

Plants essentially herbaceous but with a woody appearance (e.g. bamboos and ferns)
are classified as Trees if the height is more than 5 m and as Shrubs if the height is less
than 5 m.

For the classifier Woody (indistinct and/or intricate mixture of trees and shrubs), the
higher limit is set at 7 m and the lower one at 2 m.
This category in A12 includes: other Woody plants that are not shrublike (e.g. ground
lianas), Welwitschia and plants that are definitely not herbaceous (e.g. agave and cactoids).
A1.1.5 HERBACEOUS (A12 AND A24)
Plants without persistent stem or shoots above ground and lacking definite firm structure are
defined as herbaceous (Scoggan, 1978). There are two categories, depending on the physiognomy,
namely Graminoids and Forbs Forbs (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988; UNESCO, 1973).
Guidelines
The classifier Herbaceous can be applied in two cases:

The vegetation is an intricate mixture of different Life Forms (e.g. Forbs and
Graminoids) forming a continuous layer of the two elements.

The level of detail of the description of the class does not require a separation
between Forbs and Graminoids.
Forbs - Are all broad-leaved herbaceous plants in the common sense (e.g. sunflower,
clover, etc., in A12) and all non-graminoid herbaceous plants (UNESCO, 1973). Therefore
ferns, except tree ferns (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988) and very low, non-leafy succulents
are included (Eiten, 1968).

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

Guideline
The category applies where Forbs comprise more than 75 percent of the overall Herbaceous coverage.
In A24, a further distinction can be made into Rooted and Free-floating Forbs.
Rooted (A24) - These are aquatic plants that grow on a substrate but are structurally
supported by water (UNESCO, 1973; Cowardin, 1979).
Free-floating (A24) - Defined as a non-anchored plant that floats freely in the water or on
the water surface, e.g. formations like common duckweed (Lemna minor) or water
hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (UNESCO, 1973; Cowardin, 1979).

Graminoids - Includes all herbaceous grasses and other narrow-leaved grass-like plants
that are not grasses according to the taxonomic definition (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).
Bamboos are technically grasses but they are Woody in form and therefore classed with
Shrubs or Trees.
Guidelines
Graminoid vegetation is defined by the presence of more than 75 percent of Graminoids in
the herbaceous coverage. There is no upper limit of height: the only condition is the
physiognomy of the plant.
Lichens/Mosses (A12 and A24) - Lichens are composite organisms formed by the
symbiotic association of fungi and algae. They are found encrusting rocks, tree trunks, etc.
and they are often found under extreme environmental conditions (Lawrence, 1989). In
tundras of North America and Eurasia, lichens (e.g. Cladonia spp.) may cover large areas
(Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).
Mosses are a group of photo-autotrophic land plants without true leaves, stems or
roots, but with leaf- and stemlike organs, e.g. sphagnum (Gray, 1970). Several plants
commonly called mosses in fact belong to other groups: reindeer moss is a lichen;
Spanish moss is a vascular plant (parasite) and Irish moss is an alga (Lawrence, 1989).
Guidelines
This category is only applied if the other Life Forms are not present and when
Lichen/Mosses cover more than 20 percent. Otherwise they do not form a specific class but
their presence can be mentioned in the description of another land cover class.
Lichens as specific class is applied when both Lichens and Mosses are present and when
Lichens contribute 25 percent or more of the total cover.
Mosses as specific class is applied when both Lichens and Mosses are present and when
Mosses contribute 25 percent or more of the total cover.

103

Closed (more than 70-60 percent) - A layer of a certain Life Form covers more than 7060
percent of a defined area. A closed cover composed of Trees or Shrubs has crowns
interlocking, touching or very slightly separated. In the last-named case, the distance
between two perimeters is no more than 1/6 of the crown average diameter (Eiten, 1968).
The crowns can form an even or uneven closed canopy layer.

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A1.1.6 COVER (A12 AND A24)

The cover can be considered as the proportion of a particular area of the ground, substrate
or water surface covered by a layer of plants, considered at the greatest horizontal
perimeter level of each plant in the layer (according to Eiten, 1968). A distinction is made
between closed (more than 6070 percent), open (7060 percent to 2010 percent), closed to
open (between 100 and 15 percent) and sparse (2010 percent to 1 percent). The reason of
expressing cover through ranges instead of using absolute values will be explained in the
Guidelines below.
As herbaceous plants are seasonal in character, it has to be noted that the cover of
herbaceous vegetation is always considered at the time of its fullest development.

Guideline
If plants are growing in a defined area with the crowns touching each other, presuming that
the crowns of a Woody Life Form are round, the cover of the canopy will be approximately
78 percent. However, crowns are in reality often interlocking and small open spaces in the
canopy are frequent. Therefore, in a closed canopy layer, the lower limit of closed vegetation
is set at 60 percent. Because of the great variability of the horizontal character of closed
vegetation, in particular the different crown shapes of the plant species, the range of values
can vary from 60 to 70 percent.
Open (7060 to 2010 percent) - Between 70-60 and 20-10 percent of a defined area is
covered by a certain Life Form. In the case of Trees and Shrubs, the crowns are usually not
interlocking. The distance between the perimeters can range from very small up to twice
the average diameter (Eiten, 1968).
This category is further sub-divided into Open (7060 to 40 percent) and Very Open
(40 to 2010 percent).
Guideline
In the case of woody vegetation with a cover of between 7060 and 40 percent, the plants
are standing rather close together and, from a distance, they may appear to grow
continuously (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988). To separate the two subclasses, the limit is set
at 40 percent. The practical reason behind this is that at 40 percent coverage with Trees the
distance between two perimeters equals the mean radius of a tree crown (UNESCO, 1973).

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

Guidelines
There are two reasons for the application of the range of 20 to 10 percent:

There is a great variability in the horizontal character of closed vegetation, namely
different crown densities or crown shapes of the plant species (see also closed).

Sparse cover is rarely homogenous but grows in clumps and therefore cannot easily
be defined as one single value.

APPENDIX

Sparse (2010 to 1 percent) - Between 2010 and 1 percent of a defined area is covered by
a certain layer of plants. The distance between two perimeters of a Life Form is more than
twice the average perimeter diameter (Eiten, 1968). In many cases, a sparse Life Form might
be associated with another Life Form of greater cover continuity, e.g. savannas are
characterized by sparse trees standing out from a herbaceous closed or open layer. Subdivision is made into Sparse (2010 to 4 percent) and Scattered (4 to 1 percent).

Close to Very Open (100 to 15 percent) - A layer of a certain Life Form covers between
100 percent and 15 percent of a defined area. The crowns can form an even or uneven
closed canopy layer (see also: open; closed).
Close to Open (100 to 40 percent) - A layer of a certain Life Form covers between 100 percent
and 40 percent of a defined area. The crowns can form an even or uneven closed canopy layer
(see also: open; closed).
A1.1.7 HEIGHT (A12 AND A24)
The height of a certain layer is measured from the ground to the average top of the Life
Form being assessed (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988). The fact that single plants of one
synusia differ from the average height can be ignored, apart from the fact that they can
form their own layer (e.g. the emergents of a rainforest that tower above the rest).
Height sub-divisions are: >30 down to 3 m for Trees; 5 m to 0.3 m for Shrubs; and
3 m to 0.03 m for Herbaceous. Each class is further sub-divided.
Guidelines
There is an overlap between the lower height limit for trees and the upper limit for shrubs
and also between the minimum height for shrubs and the maximum height for herbaceous.
Height classes are directly related to Life Forms as Height plays a complementary role
in the definition of the structural classes. When a specific Height class is chosen, the user
deliberately decides to give more emphasis to Height in the classification.

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A1.1.8 SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION MACROPATTERN (A12 ONLY)

Spatial distribution, or Macropattern, is concerned with the horizontal distribution of the
vegetation (Feoli et al., 1991).
Macropattern is further sub-divided into: Continuous, Fragmented and Parklike Patches.

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Guidelines
The Macropattern shows an ecological or a degradation aspect of vegetation (e.g. scattered
vegetation in arid areas, agricultural encroachment inside forest areas, degradation due to
overgrazing, etc.). In many classifications, one finds terms that are extremely subjective, like
Degraded Forests or similar. The classification presented here aims to be neutral in land
cover description, without including ambiguous terminology. Therefore Macropattern is
selected as a neutral classifier to describe the vegetation status:

The classification presented here was built up for mapping purposes, therefore, spatial
distribution of land cover is an important aspect; and

Macropattern is easily detectable from remote sensing data (photographs and
imagery), i.e. it has great mappability.
Macropattern should thus be used to give supplementary ecological information (or to
show a human-induced evolution aspect of natural vegetation). The user has the possibility
to skip this classifier if it is felt to be irrelevant information.
Macropattern is defined as the horizontal spatial distribution of vegetation in a certain
area. It should not be confused with Cover, which defines the spatial arrangement of Life
Forms (e.g. trees and shrubs). Macropattern describes the spatial arrangement of specific
structural vegetation types (e.g. Closed Forest and Closed Shrubs).
The combinations between Cover and Macropattern are unrestricted (this is
nevertheless only valid for Closed Cover and Open Cover, as will be explained later. This
means that, for instance, a closed tree formation (Closed Forest) can be either Continuous
or Fragmented, depending on its spatial distribution in the mapping unit.
Because of this dimensional aspect, Macropattern is linked to the mapping scale. This
may seem to contradict the main classification concept explained earlier, which states that
the elements of a classification system must be scale-independent. To determine
Macropattern, one should refer to the overall appearance of a vegetation formation in a
certain area in a homogeneous landscape. However, if one wants to be more precise or
objective in the application of this classifier, some specific rules are given below to help to
standardize the interpretation. Because we are dealing with the practical application of this
concept in a cartographic context, the concepts of mixed units and minimum mappable areas
will be used.
A certain structural vegetation type has a continuous Macropattern if it covers more
than 80 percent of the area inside the minimum mappable area.
A certain structural vegetation type has a fragmented Macropattern if it covers more
than 20 percent but less than 80 percent inside the minimum mappable area. This situation
is linked with the concept of mixed unit.

APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

Three cases are possible:

The structural vegetation type (e.g. dense forest) covers more than 50 percent of the
area and the other element (e.g. agricultural fields) less than 50 percent but more
than 20 percent. In this case, the resulting unit will be a mixed unit with the
fragmented dense forest as the dominant element (e.g. fragmented dense
forest/agricultural fields).

The structural vegetation type (e.g. dense forest) covers less than 50 percent but more
than 20 percent of the area. The other element (e.g. agricultural fields) covers more
than 50 percent. In this case, the class is mixed, but the dominant class will be the
agricultural fields (e.g. agricultural fields/fragmented dense forest).

When a unit contains three elements (e.g. fragmented dense forest, agricultural fields
and bare areas) the rules for mixed units should be applied. In this case, it could be
possible to have a structural vegetation type with a fragmented Macropattern as a
single unit (e.g. fragmented dense forest 70 percent, agricultural fields 15 percent, and
bare areas 15 percent. Neither of the minor elements reaches a cover of more than 20
percent of the unit; thus, the unit must be considered a single mapping unit of
fragmented dense forest). This is the only case when a structural vegetation type with
fragmented Macropattern must be considered as a single mapping unit. Even if
theoretically possible, this case must be considered a very unusual one and therefore
should be avoided.
The Continuous or Fragmented classifiers are linked with Closed Cover or Open Cover
(e.g. Closed Continuous Forest, Closed Fragmented Forest, Continuous Woodland or
Fragmented Woodland). Fragmentation can be further sub-divided into Striped and
Cellular (e.g. tiger bush in the Sahel, where Closed Shrubs are present in the interdunal
areas and which can be represented as Fragmented (Striped) Closed Shrubs).
The Macropattern Parklike Patches is directly linked with the cover Sparse. This is simply
redundant information. When the user defines the cover of a certain life form as Sparse, the
only Macropattern available for this structural vegetation type is Parklike Patches.
The Macropattern is preferentially used for Woody life forms (Trees, Shrubs).
Herbaceous life forms (Graminoids, Forbs) can have a Macropattern, but this is
subordinated to the absence of Woody life forms. Thus, when linear patches of dense shrubs
(typical of tiger bush) are present together with dense herbaceous vegetation covering the
space between the different patches, one can see it in two different ways: as either
fragmented shrubs/herbaceous or fragmented herbaceous/shrubs. The above-mentioned
rule of preferentially favouring Woody life forms obliges the user to always give preference,
in the application of the Macropattern, to the Woody component. Macropattern can be
applied to Herbaceous life forms only when there is no significant presence of Woody life
forms (Trees, Shrubs). For instance, patches of dense Herbaceous vegetation in sandy areas
can be called fragmented herbaceous/sand.
A structural vegetation type is fragmented when the sizes of the patches of the vegetation
are between 1/15 and 1/2 of the minimum mappable unit. This rule is a very artificial one
and does not need to be strictly applied. This rule assists the user by providing some

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Continuous - A given cover can be Open, Closed or Closed To Open, but to be considered
Continuous, the vegetation has to be spread over the area with regularity and without
interval or break.
Guideline
A certain structural vegetation type has a Continuous Macropattern if inside the minimum
mappable area it covers more than 80 percent of the area.
Fragmented - A given cover can be Open, Closed, or Closed To Open, but it is interrupted
in the sense of Striped or Cellular fragmentation.

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indication of how a fragmented Macropattern should look. If the patches were too small,
then at a certain level they could coincide with the life form itself, thus contradicting the
basic rule explained above (i.e. Macropattern describes the specific arrangement of
structural vegetation types and must not be confused with the cover of the life form).

Guidelines
A certain structural vegetation type has a fragmented Macropattern if inside the minimum
mappable area it covers more than 20 percent but less than 80 percent. This situation is
linked with the concept of mixed unit. Three cases are possible:

The structural vegetation type (e.g. dense forest) covers more than 50 percent of the
area and the other element (e.g. agricultural fields) less than 50 percent but more
than 20 percent. In this case, the resulting unit will be a mixed unit with the
fragmented dense forest as the dominant one (e.g. fragmented dense
forest/agricultural fields).

The structural vegetation type (e.g. dense forest) covers less than 50 percent but more
than 20 percent of the area. The other element (e.g. agricultural fields) covers more
than 50 percent. In this case, the class is mixed but the dominant class will be the
agricultural fields (e.g. agricultural fields/fragmented dense forest).

When a unit contains three elements (e.g. fragmented dense forest, agricultural fields and
bare areas) the rules for mixed units should be applied. In this case, it could be possible to
have a structural vegetation type with a fragmented Macropattern as single unit (e.g.
fragmented dense forest, 70 percent; agricultural fields, 15 percent; and bare areas, 15
percent. Neither of the two minor elements reach a cover of more than 20 percent of the
unit; thus, the unit must be considered a single mapping unit of fragmented dense forest).
This is the only case when a structural vegetation type with fragmented Macropattern
must be considered as a single mapping unit. Even if theoretically possible, this case must
be considered a very unusual one, therefore should be avoided.
Parklike Patches - In the case of woody vegetation, Parklike Patches signifies that trees and
shrubs grow singly or in small groups as in parklands and in savannahs. When herbaceous
vegetation is present, it signifies disconnected patches (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

A1.1.9 WATER SEASONALITY (A24 ONLY)

Water Seasonality refers to the type of persistence of the water at or near the surface.
A sub-division is made into three classes: (Semi-)Permanent (approximately three
months a year or more than a specific season), Temporary or Seasonal (less than three
months a year or during a specific season) and Waterlogged.

APPENDIX

Guideline
The Macropattern Parklike Patches is directly linked with the cover Sparse. This is simply
redundant information. When the user defines the cover of a certain life form to be Sparse,
the only Macropattern available for this structural vegetation type is Parklike Patches.

(Semi-)Permanent - In this class, areas are considered to be covered by water for a

substantial period, which is not directly linked to a specific season. The class can be further
sub-divided into two subclasses: one where water is persistent the whole day (no tidal
influences), and one where there is a tidal influence.
Temporary or Seasonal - This class covers areas that are regularly flooded, but where the water
cover does not remain for a substantial period of time or other than in a particular season.
Waterlogged - The water table is very high and at or near the surface. These areas could be
occasionally flooded, but the main characteristic is the high level of the water table (e.g. bogs).
A1.1.10 LEAF TYPE (A12 AND A24)
Leaf type is applied only when characterizing Trees and Shrubs. A distinction is made
between Broadleaved, Needleleaved and Aphyllous.
Broadleaved - This refers to trees and shrubs of the botanical group Angiospermae, with
Gingko (Gingko biloba) as an exception, as it is broadleaved but taxonomically belongs to
the Gymnospermae. Both Evergreen and Deciduous species belong to this category.
Needleleaved - This refers to trees and shrubs of the botanical group Gymnospermae
(Ford-Robertson, 1971), carrying typical needle-shaped leaves.
Guideline
Both evergreen conifers like pines (Pinus spp.), hemlock (Tsuga spp.) and firs (Abies spp.),
etc., as well as deciduous conifers like the larch (Larix spp.), are included in A12. It is also
applied to scale-like leaves, especially leaves of arbor vitae (Thuja occidentalis). Contrary to
usual definitions, this category includes all plants with needle-like leaves, even though they
are not conifers, such as some Australian acacias (e.g. Acacia asparagoides).

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A1.1.11 LEAF PHENOLOGY (A12 AND A24)

The leaf phenology refers to the general behaviour of woody plants throughout the year.
Two types have to be distinguished: Evergreen and Deciduous. A further distinction is
made between Mixed and Semi-Deciduous or Semi-Evergreen. The leaf phenology of
herbaceous plants is classified through the mixed category. A separation can be made
between Perennial and Annual vegetation.
Evergreen - This term as such describes the phenology of perennial plants that are never
entirely without green foliage (Ford-Robertson, 1971).
Guideline
For this class to be applicable, there must be a whole layer that is more than 75 percent
evergreen vegetation.
Deciduous - This applies to the phenology of perennial plants that are leafless for a certain
period during the year (Ford-Robertson, 1971). The leaf shedding usually takes place
simultaneously in connection with the unfavourable season (UNESCO, 1973).

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Aphyllous - This category includes plants without any leaves and plants that apparently
do not have leaves in the common sense. In the first case, photosynthesis takes place
through other organs, like stems, branches and twigs; in the latter case, the leaves are very
short-lived or extremely reduced to scales and thorns.

Guideline
For this class to be applicable, there must be a whole layer that is more than 75 percent
deciduous vegetation.
Mixed (Woody Life Form) - This category is limited exclusively to a layer with a mixture
of broadleaved deciduous and needleleaved evergreen vegetation (Kuechler and
Zonneveld, 1988).
Guideline
Within this combination, it is necessary that each of the two components occupy at least
25 percent of the area.
Semi-Deciduous or Semi-Evergreen - This applies to the broadleaved category, as under
tropical conditions deciduousness is difficult to define, especially as the seasonal variation
influences the time of leaf-shedding; plants are deciduous in certain areas, evergreen in others.
Guideline for Semi-Deciduous
This term applies to a combination of broadleaved deciduous that is dominant and
broadleaved evergreen being more than 25 percent.

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

Guideline for Semi-Evergreen

This term applies to a combination of the dominance of broadleaved evergreen and with
broadleaved deciduous being more than 25 percent.
Mixed (only for Forbs and Graminoids) - This category is limited to a layer with a
mixture of perennial or annual herbaceous plants.

Perennial: plants living more than one year

Annual: plants living one year.
Guideline
With both perennial and annual plants being present, each type must cover at least 25
percent of the area.

A1.1.12 STRATIFICATION AND LIFE FORM OF OTHER THAN THE

MAIN STRATUM (A12 AND A24)
Stratification, or layering, is defined as the vertical layering of vegetation. It should not be
confused with Macropattern, which describes the horizontal distribution of Life Forms,
nor with Cover, which describes the presence of one single Life Form.
Guidelines
The user can describe up to three layers for (Semi-)Natural Terrestrial Vegetation (A12)
and two layers (the main layer + one other) for Aquatic or Regularly Flooded Vegetated
Areas (A24). The limited number of available layers may disappoint the user, but the
classifier Stratification should contribute to the structural definition of a vegetation
class. This means that this classifier must consider all the possible combinations with the
main Life Form selected and its Cover (e.g. if we can have layering for Closed Trees, the
same must be valid for Closed or Open Shrubs or Closed Graminoids, etc.). The layering
is an active component of the class set-up; it is not a mere descriptive (optional and
unsystematic) item of the class. The proposed classification allows the user to first build up
a land cover class with the use of the classifier Stratification and, if more details are
wanted, to add a users description to the standard one, which can contain information on
any additional layers/strata.
Some limitations in the use of the classifier Stratification have been introduced in
order to avoid class combinations that are irrelevant from the structural point of view.
These limitations prevent introduction of elements that are not crucial for the
determination of the structural aspects of a land cover class. These elements can be
added in the class description in the Legend (see Legend > Edit). These limitations have
the practical purpose of reducing the number of possible combinations of classifiers,
which otherwise could lead to creation of an even larger number of classes that would
all have the same structural meaning. All limits to the use of Stratification are built into
the software.

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From a practical point of view, in the use of the Stratification concept, it is important to
recognize two types of Stratification:

where the second stratum consists of the same Life Form as the main stratum (e.g. treestrees and shrubs-shrubs); and

where the second stratum consists of a different Life Form (e.g. trees-shrubs).
The second case is quite straightforward and does not present any difficulty in the
selection of classifier. The first case needs additional explanation. In the case of a dominant
Life Form of Trees with a second stratum of Trees, it is important that these layers are clearly
distinguishable one from the other (e.g. second stratum of Trees Emergent over a Closed
Tree canopy; these emergents must not be part of the discontinuity of the Closed Tree canopy
but a clearly distinct layer). The sub-condition of Height will pre-set the available choices
of Height for a second and (for A12 only) a third layer (e.g. with a main stratum of Closed
Low Trees (37 m), the emergents to be defined in the second stratum cannot have the same
height (option 37 m is therefore not available) because the Sparse Trees of the second layer
have to be taller).
The Height condition explained above depends on the detailed option for Height chosen
for the main stratum; it is not applied if the general Height class is selected. If the user selects
the general Height class for the main stratum, then for subsequent strata the general Height
classes are the only options available.
The main conditions applied for Stratification/Layering are the following:

Forbs and Graminoids are considered always together as Herbaceous.

For Trees, three strata including the main, can be considered in A12 (e.g. a main
Closed Tree layer with a second, lower, Closed to Open Tree layer and a third Sparse
Tree layer of emergents would be termed a Multi-Layered Forest With Emergents);
in A24 two strata including the main are allowed.

When the main stratum is Closed Trees or Open Trees and there is a second layer
Sparse Trees, then the Height of the second layer must be higher, i.e. emergent; if it
is lower, they are not considered as an independent stratum.
For
Shrubs, the number of strata with the same Life Form is two, including the


main stratum.

For Herbaceous, only one stratum is possible.

Lichens/mosses are not described in the layering.

If the main stratum is Trees and the Cover is Open, then it is impossible to have the
same Life Form with Cover Open To Closed with a different height as a second
stratum (e.g. Open High Trees with Open Low Trees is impossible).

If the main stratum is Shrubs and the Cover is Closed or Open, then it is impossible to
have as a second stratum the same Life Form with Cover Open To Closed but with a
different height (e.g. Open High Shrubs with Closed To Open Low Shrubs is impossible).
The only exception to this rule is when the second stratum consists of Dwarf Shrubs.

If the cover of the main stratum is Closed Trees or Closed Shrubs then any
Herbaceous layer possibly present is not considered or described (this can be added
as a user-defined description).

APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

Sparse Herbaceous is never considered as second layer except when the main layer is

Sparse Trees or Sparse Shrubs (but it can be added as a user-defined description).

If the main stratum is Shrubs or Herbaceous, only one layer of trees can be
considered; this is linked with the criterion of dominance as described earlier, because
the Trees or Shrubs can be only Sparse.

Only two layers other than the main layer are considered for Terrestrial Vegetation
(A12) and only one additional stratum for Aquatic Vegetation (A24).
A1.1.13 FLORISTIC ASPECT (A12 AND A24)
This attribute has two major divisions based on whether it is derived from a single plant
species or from a group of plants. In the first case, a further sub-division is possible into
Dominant Species (Height, Cover or combination of both) or Most Frequent Species. The
second sub-division is sub-divided again into Plant Groups (e.g. Braun-Blanquet) and Plant
Groups Derived Without Statistical Methods (i.e. same ecological significance, same
geographical distribution, same dynamic significance, etc.). The specific name of the Floristic
Aspect can be added using the User-Defined Attribute option in the Legend Module.

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A1.2.1 LIFE FORM OF THE MAIN CROP (A11 AND A23)

A Life Form is a group of plants having certain morphological features in common
(Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).
For further classification the following growth form criteria are used (Strasburger et al.,
1983; Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988):

Duration of the crop (Trees);

Branching symmetry of woody plants (to divide Trees from Shrubs); and

Physiognomy of Herbaceous plants (to distinguish Graminoids from Non-Graminoids).

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A1.2
CULTIVATED AND MANAGED AREAS
(A11 AND A23)

Guidelines
Contrary to Natural and Semi-Natural Vegetation (A12), Cultivated Areas are not
described by classifiers such as Height or Cover. They are classified exclusively according to
their morphology.
Contrary to the major land cover type A11, in A23 a distinction is only made between
Graminoids and Non-Graminoids.
The main crop is entirely defined as the vegetative cover which is not marginal, i.e.
which covers a considerable area (more than 15 percent of the surface) or which has a high
economic revenue and comprises the uppermost canopy. A second and/or third crop type can
be specified, but these crops have a lower canopy than the main crop or they are a marginal
crop, i.e. cover less than 15 percent of the surface or has a low economic revenue.
A1.2.1.1 Trees (A11 only)
A tree is defined as a woody perennial plant with a single, well defined stem carrying a
more-or-less-defined crown (Ford-Robertson, 1971). The plants often form a distinct
block and are often planted in a regular spacing or pattern (e.g. orchards, nursery stocks).
The duration of the crop cover usually lasts many years.
Guidelines
This category includes:

Broadleaved trees that are harvested (e.g. fruits or nuts).

Any kind of nursery stock, ornamental trees, fruit trees, hedging plants, conifers, etc.

Regularly planted shade trees.
A further distinction is made as follows:
Broadleaved - This refers to Trees of the botanical group Angiospermae, with Gingko
(Gingko biloba) as an exception, as it is broadleaved but belongs taxonomically to the
Gymnospermae. Both evergreen and deciduous species come into this category.

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

Needleleaved - This refers to Trees of the botanical group Gymnospermae (FordRobertson, 1971) carrying typical needle-shaped leaves. Both evergreen and deciduous
species come into this category.
Evergreen - This refers to the phenology of perennial plants that are never entirely
without green foliage (Ford-Robertson, 1971).
Deciduous - This refers to the phenology of perennial plants which are leafless for a certain
period during the year (Ford-Robertson, 1971). The leaf shedding usually takes place
simultaneously in connection with the unfavourable season (UNESCO, 1973).

A1.2.1.2 Shrubs (A11 only)

A shrub is a woody perennial plant with persistent and woody stems and without any
defined main stem (Ford-Robertson, 1971). The growth habit can be erect, spreading or
prostrate. The plants often form a distinct block and are often planted in a regular spacing
or pattern (e.g. orchards; nursery stock).
Guidelines
This category includes:

Shrubs used for harvesting the fruits, berries, leaves, etc., such as vine, cotton, coffee,
cocoa, tea and soft fruits (currants, blackberries, etc.).

Pineapple as a succulent plant is included here due to its appearance.

Any kind of nursery stock with the plants mentioned above.
A further distinction is made as follows:
Broadleaved - This refers to Shrubs of the botanical group Angiospermae, with Gingko
(Gingko biloba) as an exception, as it is broadleaved but belongs to the Gymnospermae
taxonomically. Both evergreen and deciduous species come into this category.
Needleleaved - This refers to Shrubs of the botanical group Gymnospermae (FordRobertson, 1971) carrying typical needle-shaped leaves. Both evergreen and deciduous
species come into this category.
Evergreen - This refers to the phenology of perennial plants that are never entirely
without green foliage (Ford-Robertson, 1971).
Deciduous - This refers to the phenology of perennial plants which are leafless for a certain
period during the year (Ford-Robertson, 1971). The leaf shedding usually takes place
simultaneously in connection with the unfavourable season (UNESCO, 1973).

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Graminoids (A11 and A23) - This includes all grasses and other narrow-leaved, grass-like plants
that are not grasses according to the taxonomic definition (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).
Guidelines (A11)
The following crops are included:

Cereals (e.g. wheat, millet, sorghum, maize, dryland rice) and sugar cane.

Bamboos are also included here, in contrast to the Natural and Semi-Natural
Vegetation land cover type (A12).
Guidelines (A23)
The following crops are included:

Rice, cultivated as deepwater rice or tidal rice.

Reed species.

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A1.2.1.3 Herbaceous (A11 only)

This applies to plants without persistent stem or shoots above ground and lacking
definite firm structure (Scoggan, 1978). The cover duration is limited to the harvest stage.
A further distinction is made between Graminoids and Non-Graminoids (Kuechler and
Zonneveld, 1988).

Non-Graminoids (A11 and A23) -This includes all herbaceous plants that are not
Graminoids, i.e. species that do not belong to the grasses according to the taxonomic
definition, but excludes narrow-leaved, grass-like plants which are considered
Graminoids for the purposes of classification (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).
A lot of species in A23 cover water surfaces with a large amount of biomass.
Guidelines (A11)
The following crops are included:

Root and tuber crops, pulses and vegetables, some fodder crops (e.g. certain legumes),
and fibre crops (e.g. flax).

Banana as a tree-like herbaceous plant, in contrast to the Natural and Semi-Natural
Vegetation land cover type (A12).

Hop as a perennial herbaceous vine.
Woody (A11 and A23) - Perennial plants with stem(s) and branches from which buds and
shoots develop are defined as woody (Ford-Robertson, 1971). Semi-woody plants are
included here (Eiten, 1968).
Guidelines
This classifier can be used to specify an aquatic crop not considered in the category of
herbaceous crop.

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APPENDIX

A1.2.2 LIFE FORM MANAGED LANDS (A11 ONLY)

Urban Vegetated Area
This class includes vegetated areas that are enclosed by any kind of urban construction.
These areas form isolated patches within the urban area. According to the dominant Life
Form of the particular urban vegetated area, a further distinction can be made between:

Parks, where the dominating life form is Trees. These parks may appear natural but
the distribution of the trees and other life forms present is designed.

Parklands, characterized by cover dominated by (ornamental) herbaceous
vegetation (e.g. Forbs and Graminoids) with scattered groups of trees and/or shrubs.

Grass-dominated areas (lawns) dominated by Graminoids. If trees and/or shrubs are
present then they form a linear pattern surrounding the graminoid-dominated area(s).

A1.2.3 SPATIAL ASPECT

FIELD SIZE AND DISTRIBUTION (A11 AND A23)
The Spatial Aspect describes cultivated fields in terms of field size (e.g. dimension) and
their distribution.
A1.2.3.1 Field Size (A11 and A23)
This class can be applied indicatively. A distinction is made between Large-to-MediumSized Fields and Small-Sized Field(s). However, this does not refer to large-, medium- or
small-scale farming, because it does not relate to the overall size of the farm holding.
The following distinctions are made:

Small-sized fields: <2 ha

Medium-sized fields: 25 ha

Large-sized fields: >5 ha.
A1.2.3.2 Distribution (A11 and A23)
Spatial Distribution, or Macropattern, is concerned with the horizontal spatial
arrangement of the field(s) within a defined area.
A distinction is made between Continuous and Scattered field(s).
Guideline
Spatial Distribution can be easily measured by considering the distance between a field and the
next field. A further distinction can be made into three classes: Continuous, Scattered Clustered
or Scattered Isolated.
Continuous - A given crop cover extends over an area without interval or break.
Guidelines
Continuous describes a continuum of more than 50 percent of cultivated fields. In this case
the land cover mapping unit may be single (inside the mapping unit, the fields take up more
than 80 percent) or mixed (the fields occupy 5180 percent of the mapping unit). Generally,

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Scattered Clustered and Scattered Isolated - The Spatial Distribution is Scattered

Clustered or Scattered Isolated when, within the area of cultivated field, other land cover
types are present.
Guidelines

Where the percentage of fields is more than 20 percent but less than 50 percent, it is
Scattered Clustered; this means that the resulting mapping unit is a mixed land cover
class of a cultivated area with another subordinate land cover class, and both
components need to be defined in the legend (e.g. 40 percent fields and 60 percent
semi-natural vegetation).

Where the percentage of fields is more than 10 percent but less than 20 percent, it is
Scattered Isolated; this means that the resulting mapping unit is a mixed land cover
class where the dominant class is not scattered isolated. It is the only case where a
class comprising less than 20 percent is present in a mixed mapping unit.
A1.2.4 CROP COMBINATION (A11 ONLY)
The dominant crop may be sole or in combination with other crops. A distinction is made
between Single Crop and Multiple Crops.

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when the fields occupy 5180 percent of the mapping unit, the area in between the fields can
be considered as part of the cultivated area by the user or the user can decide to make a
mixed mapping unit, depending upon which land cover features the user wants to highlight.

Single Crop (Monoculture) - This refers to a cultivation system in which a single crop
species covers a plot of land, i.e. a monocultural cropping system. The cover duration is
limited by the harvest stage.
Guidelines

In the case of annuals, the crop covers the land only during a part of the year.

In the case of perennials, the crop covers the land throughout the year and is
harvested after several years, or part of the crop is harvested every year.
Multiple Crop (Intercropped) - Cultivation of two or three crops that are growing
simultaneously or with a period of overlap or sequentially on the same field. Crop
intensification is both in time and space (vertical and horizontal). No horizontal spatial
arrangement of the crops (e.g. rows, strips or no arrangement) is considered.
Guideline
The Multiple Crop system can be further sub-divided into One Additional Crop and More
Than One Additional Crop. They can be specified by Life Form and coincidence of their
planting time with the main crop.

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Guidelines
Mixed annual crops are cultivated on one piece of land. For example: Legumes are often
combined with Non-Legumes.
In the case of perennial crops (trees and shrubs), cash crops are interplanted during the
period of establishment of the main crop. At a later stage the interplanted crops might be
replaced by cover crops (Euroconsult, 1989).

APPENDIX

Simultaneously - More than one crop is cultivated at the same time in a defined area. This
is often indicated as mixed cropping. Therefore the different crops can be intermingled or
they grow in distinct patterns on the same field.

Overlapping - This occurs when a crop is planted or sowed into another crop which has
reached an advanced growing stage but has not yet been harvested (Lipton, 1995).
Guideline
This class applies only to crops with briefly overlapping growing periods. An overlap that
lasts for the whole cultivation period (e.g. if annual or biennial plants are planted into a
stand of perennial plants) is considered Simultaneous. An example of crops with an
overlapping period is when root crops are planted into a stand of cereals.
Sequential - The growing of two or more crops in sequence on the same field within one
growing season. The succeeding crop is planted after the preceding one is harvested.
A1.2.5 COVER-RELATED CULTURAL PRACTICES WATER SUPPLY
(A11 ONLY)
A distinction is made between rainfed, post-flooding and irrigated cultural practices.
Rainfed Cultivation - Crop establishment and development is completely determined
by rainfall.
Post-Flooding Cultivation - After rainwater has flooded the field, the water infiltrated
into the soil is used intentionally as a water reserve for crop cultivation. The crop(s) use(s)
this water reserve for establishment.
Irrigated - Any of several means of providing an artificial regular supply of water, in
addition to rain, to the crop(s).
This category is further sub-divided into the main irrigation methods:

surface irrigation;

sprinkler irrigation;

drip irrigation.

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Surface Irrigation - Water is supplied to the field(s) to form a water layer that infiltrates
slowly into the soil. The field may be wetted completed (borders, basins) or partly
(furrows, corrugations). The water layer may be moving during irrigation (flow irrigation)
or it may be mainly stagnant (check irrigation).
Sprinkler Irrigation - Water is pumped up from a source into a closed distribution
network and then conveyed over the soil surface and crops. The irrigation water is applied
by means of rotating sprinklers, perforated pipes, sprayers or spinners that are connected
to the network. The distribution networks may be permanent, portable or a combination
of the two.
Drip Irrigation - This type of irrigation is also called trickle, dribble or localized
irrigation. The water is applied at very low pressure through a network of plastic tubes
running along the surface or buried. The network consists of main lines and laterals
(Euroconsult, 1989). The water trickles onto the soil near the plant(s) at a confined spot.

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Guidelines
Under Irrigated, other systems are also included, in which an additional watergift, essential
for establishment and/or flowering of the crop, depends on the actual rains. The aim of the
additional watergift is to help the plants through a period of drought stress (examples of this
practice can be found in (semi-)arid climates).

A1.2.6 WATER SEASONALITY (A23 ONLY)

Water Seasonality reflects the persistence of water at or near the surface. A subdivision is
made into three classes: Persistent, With Daily Variations and Waterlogged.

Persistent for the Whole Day During Cultivation Period

This class applies to areas covered by water for the whole day, directly linked to the
cultivation period.

With Daily Variations During Cultivation Period

This class includes areas regularly flooded by water but not for a substantial
period. The persistence of the water is linked to the cultivation period.

Waterlogged

The water table is very high and at or near the surface. These areas could be occasionally
flooded but the main characteristic is the high level of the water table (e.g. bogs).

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Shifting Cultivation - This describes the growing of crops for a few years on selected and
cleared plots, alternating with a lengthy period of vegetative fallow when the soil is rested.
The land is cultivated for less than 33 percent of the time (Ruthenberg, 1980). This cover
is followed by the vegetative and/or bare cover of the fallow period, that can last for several
years (Shaner et al., 1982).

APPENDIX

A1.2.7 COVER-RELATED CULTURAL PRACTICES

CULTIVATION TIME FACTOR (A11 ONLY)
This classifier indicates for how much of the growing season(s) the land is covered by crops.
A distinction is made between shifting cultivation, fallow system and permanent cultivation.

Guidelines
The traditional system of the shifting cultivation results in various cover appearances
(WAU, 1985)
1. The existing vegetation on plots is cleared and burnt. Therefore the lower herbaceous
vegetation layer is removed, followed by partial tree and shrub removal. Trees that
deliver fruits to harvest are sometimes left. Tree stems might remain as a frame for
later yam production. During this period, hardly any vegetation is left. These cleared
plots are characteristically surrounded by land that is covered with primary and/or
secondary Natural or Semi-Natural Vegetation.
2. In the next phase, crops cover the land. Because this production system is extensive, the
crop cover might be mixed with spontaneous re-growth of vegetation that developed soon
after the plot was burnt. In general, cereals are sown first, followed by root and tuber
crops. Sometimes root and tuber crops are planted immediately. A common worldwide
crop combination starts with cereals, like maize or rice, later interplanted with a root crop,
like cassava or bananas, before the cereal is harvested (see also overlapping crops).
3. After the cultivation period is completed, the secondary semi-natural vegetation
starts to fully develop. The amount of this type of semi-natural vegetation increases
steadily. As soon as this secondary vegetation dominates the cultural plants, the area
is no longer classed under Cultivated Terrestrial Areas, but under Natural and SemiNatural Vegetation.
Fallow System - An agricultural system with an alternation between a cropping period of
several years and a fallow period. The land is cultivated for 33 to 66 percent of the years,
which means 50 percent is given by three, five or ten years of crop cover followed by three,
five or ten years of fallow vegetative cover (Ruthenberg, 1980).
Guidelines
Because the fallow period is short, the cover consists mostly of grass and light bush
vegetation. Areas covered with a distinct closed fallow vegetation without visible field
delineations are classed under Natural and Semi-Natural Terrestrial Vegetation. These
visible field divisions are characteristic of Fallow Systems. Annual and biennial crops

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Permanent Cultivation - This applies to the growing of crops that are not replanted for several
years after each harvest (e.g. trees and shrubs). The crop should cover the land for at least two
years. The first harvest usually takes place after one year or later. Under this cultivation system
the land is cultivated for more than 66 percent of the years (Ruthenberg, 1980).
Guidelines
In the case of annual plants, the crop covers the land only part of the year and is followed
by a short fallow period or by another crop or covercrop. Examples are vegetables and rice.
In the case of perennials, the crop covers the land throughout the year.
The following crops are included (WAU, 1985):

woody perennials such as rubber, cacao, coffee, etc;

tree-like crops, such as oil palm and coconut;

herbaceous perennials, such as bananas, sugar cane, grasses, etc; and

pineapple.

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dominate the cover of this cultivation system. The cover of a fallow system is composed of a
staple crop (like millet or maize), or a dominating cash crop (like cotton, groundnut, rice or
tobacco), and a fallow area.

A1.2.8 COVER-RELATED CULTURAL PRACTICES

FALLOW PERIOD (A23 ONLY)
A distinction is made between Permanent Cultivation, Relay Intercropping and
Sequential cultivation.
Permanent Cultivation - This is the growing of crops that do not have to be replanted for
several years after each harvest (e.g. trees and shrubs). The crop should cover the land for
at least two years. The first harvest usually takes place after one year or later. The area is
covered by crops for more than 66 percent of the years (Ruthenberg, 1980).
Relay Intercropping - Planting or sowing one crop into another, maturing crop
(Ruthenberg, 1980).
Sequential - The growing of two or more crops in sequence on the same field within one
growing season. The succeeding crop is planted after the preceding one is harvested.

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A1.2.10 CROP TYPE (A11 AND A23)

The crop type can be added optionally, with various levels of detail. Initially, a distinction
is made between Food Crops and Non-Food Crops. A further sub-division is made
specifying the most common crop species. Food Crops can be differentiated into Cereals,
Roots and Tubers, Pulses and Vegetables, Fruits and Nuts, Fodder, Beverages and Other.
Non-Food Crops comprise Industrial Crops, Wood/Timber and Other Non-Food
Crops. The species are grouped according to the main product being harvested.
For A11, a number of groupings have been made.

APPENDIX

A1.2.9 CROP COMBINATION (A23 ONLY)

The dominant crop may be appearing solely or in combination with other crops.
A distinction is made between One Additional Crop and Two Additional Crops.

One Additional Crop

Herbaceous Aquatic

Herbaceous Terrestrial

Two Additional Crops

Herbaceous Aquatic

Herbaceous Terrestrial

Food Crops - Food Crops can be differentiated into Cereals; Roots and Tubers; Pulses and
Vegetables; Fruits and Nuts; Fodder Crops; Beverages/Stimulants and OtherCrops.
Cereals - In addition to cereals in the narrow sense, the so-called pseudo-cereals are also included:

Amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.)

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Chenopodium (Chenopodium spp.)

Fagopyrum spp.

Maize (Zea mays L.)

Millet

Oats (Avena sativa L.)

Rice (Oryza spp.)

Rye (Secale cereale L.)

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Wheat (Triticum spp.)

Other cereals
Roots and Tubers

Cassava or manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam)

Yam (Dioscorea spp.)

Other roots and tubers

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Fruits and Nuts

Almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch)

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Avocado (Persea americana Mill.)

Banana (Musa spp.)

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Pulses and Vegetables

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Beans (Phaseolus spp., Vigna spp.)

Cabbages (Brassica oleracea L.)

Carrot (Daucus carota L.)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medicus)

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Melons

Onion (Allium cepa L. var. cepa)

Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Pumpkins (Cucurbita spp.)

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum M.)

Other pulses and vegetables

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Citrus Fruits (Citrus spp.)

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.)

Date Palm (Phoenix dactilifera L.)

Fig (Ficus carica L.)

Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.)

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Guava (Psidium spp.)

Hazelnut (Corylus spp.)

Macadamia (Macademia spp.)

Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Basch)

Pear (Pyrus communis L.)

Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.)

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.)

Plum (Prunus domestica L.)

Other fruits and nuts

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

Beverages - This includes also stimulants that are not beverages. Not included are
beverages produced from fruit crops, even if this is the main use in certain regions.
Therefore grapes, citrus and others are listed under Fruits and Nuts.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

Coffee (Coffea spp.)

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.)

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O.K.)

APPENDIX

Fodder - As there is an enormous number of species used for fodder (Rehm and Espig,
1991), a division is only made into fodder grasses and fodder legumes. Fodder as a byproduct of other crops is not considered here.

Fodder grasses

Fodder pulses

Other fodder crops

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Other beverages

Non-Food Crops - Non-Food Crops comprise Industrial Crops and Wood/Timber crops.
Industrial Crops - This class includes crops that provide raw materials generally subject
to further mechanical or industrial processing, like fibre crops and oil crops. Oils that can
be considered as by-products, for example oil from grain embryos or from the seeds of
vegetables, fibre plants, etc., are not mentioned here.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Cotton (Gossypium spp.)

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Hemp (Crotolaria juncea and Cannabis sativa L.)

Jute (Corchorus spp.)

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Olive (Olea europaea L.)

Rubber (Hevea spp.)

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Sisal (Agave spp.)

Soybean (Glycine max Merr.)

Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

Other industrial crops

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For A23 the following groupings have been made:

Food Crops - Food Crops can be differentiated into Cereals, Fodder Crops and Other
Food Crops.
Cereals

Rice (Oryza spp.)

Other cereals
Fodder

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Other Fodder Crops
Other Crops

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Wood/Timber

Acacia (Acacia spp.)

Eucalypt (Eucalyptus spp.)

Pine (Pinus spp.)

Poplar (Populus spp.)

Teak (Tectona grandis L.F.)

Other wood/timber

Non-Food Crops - Non-Food Crops are sub-divided into Biological Filtration, Fibre and
Structural Material and Other Non-Food Crops. The species are grouped according to the
main product being harvested.
Biological Filtration

Bulrush (Scirpus spp.)

Duckweed (Lemna spp.)

Giant Reed (Phragmites spp.)

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (C. Martius) Solms-Laub)

Other Biological Filtration
Fibre and Structural Material

Giant Reed (Phragmites spp.)

Other Fibres/Structural Material
Other Crops

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APPENDIX

A1.3
ARTIFICIAL SURFACES AND ASSOCIATED AREAS
A1.3.1 SURFACE ASPECT
The surface aspect of areas with an artificial or associated cover is described. Two main
classes are distinguished: built-up areas and non built-up areas.
Built up - Built-up areas are characterized by the substitution of the original (semi-)natural
cover or water surface with an artificial, often impervious, cover. This artificial cover is
usually characterized by a long cover duration.
This class can be sub-divided into linear and non-linear areas.

Linear - This category contains exclusively any transport, communication or supply system
that is built as a linear structure (its length is greater than its width) in order to connect two
locations. The perimeters of the structure and the material of the cover can be further
defined. Sub-division is made into roads, railways and communication lines/pipelines.
Guideline
This category is typified by natural or artificial materials continuously covering the surface, or
the soil surface is modified to such an extent that it can no longer be considered as land. In many
cases, these structures form a network that covers the land surface. This surface can consist of
hard artificial materials, concrete, gravel or densified soil or a mixture of any of these materials.
Roads - A more or less uniform material forms a linear structure which covers the land
surface over long distances (its length is greater than its width). It is further sub-divided
into Paved and Unpaved roads.
Paved roads are covered with an artificial material to consolidate the soil surface,
whereas Unpaved roads are either bare and consist of a compressed surface or are covered
with unconsolidated material, such as gravel.
Railways - The land cover consists of a combination of materials (e.g. wood, gravel,
concrete, iron) with different permeability to form a very specific linear structure.
Communication Lines/Pipelines - The land cover is characterized by a combination of
point-like elements, such as masts, poles, etc. and linear elements. The linear element(s)
(e.g. electric wire, pipe) are situated above ground, supported by point-like elements.
Examples are telephone wires and electric power transmission lines.

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Industrial and/or other areas - Non-linear impervious surfaces are included in this class
which are related to trade, manufacturing, distribution and commerce (e.g. airports, ports,
factories). The density of the artificial constructions in relation to the surrounding area can
be described separately.
Urban Area - Urban areas are non-linear built up areas covered by impervious structures
adjacent to or connected by streets. This cover is related to centres of population. Linear
elements like (main) roads, railways and communication lines/pipelines occur but are not
dominant features. The density of the artificial constructions in relation to the surrounding
area can be described separately.
Guidelines
This class usually occurs in combination with:

Vegetated areas that are connected to buildings that show a regular pattern, such as
vegetated courtyards, gardens, etc.

Industrial and/or other areas.

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Non-linear - This category describes built-up areas where non-linear artificial

constructions cover the land with an impervious (e.g. concrete, thatch) surface. Sub-division
is made into industrial and/or other areas and urban areas. This sub-division is based on
the elements making up this land cover.

High/Medium/Low Density/Scattered
Density is applicable to Industrial and/or other Areas and Urban Areas. Sub-division is
made into the following classes based upon the occurrence of impervious surfaces
compared to permeable surfaces:

High density: more than 75 percent of the total surface consists of impervious surface(s).

Medium density: 50 to 75 percent of the total surface consists of impervious surface(s).

Low density: 50 to 30 percent of the total surface consists of impervious surface(s).

Scattered: less than 30 to 15 percent of the total surface consists of impervious surface(s).
Non-Built Up - This class is defined by absence of the original (semi-) natural cover or
water surface.
It is sub-divided into:

Waste Dump Deposits in which the existing land or land cover is covered by materials
coming from an outside source (artefacts and materials transported by humans).

Extraction Sites in which land cover, rock or earthy materials are removed by human
activity or machinery.
The user should note that these areas are considered as soils in various soils
classification systems (e.g. Anthrosols in the FAO Revised Soil Legend (FAO/UNESCO,
1988) and Anthropogenic Soils).

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

A1.3.2 BUILT-UP OBJECT (TOPOGRAPHIC NAME)

A list with a set of standardized options is provided.

Aerodrome

Airport

Breeding Centre

Cemeteries

Commercial Area (e.g. Shopping)

Commercial Area (e.g. Warehousing, Wholesaling, Retailing)

Cultural, Entertainment and Recreation Area

Heavy Industrial Area (e.g. Ores, Timber, Coal, Chemicals, etc.)

Historical Site

Hospital Premises

Light Industrial Area (Design, Assembly, Finishing, Processing, Packaging of Products)

Military Facilities

Port Area (including Docks, Shipyards, Locks)

Power Generation Plant

Refugee Camp

Religious Site

School Premises

Sewage Treatment Plant

Sports and Leisure Facilities

Station (including Depots)

Transportation Facilities - Bus Area

Transportation Facilities - Car Park

Urban Playgrounds (requires Structures)

Water Treatment Facilities

Other

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A1.4.1 SURFACE ASPECT

The surface aspect of Bare Areas describes the land rather than the land cover because the
land is not covered by (semi-)natural or artificial cover. As far as possible, internationally
accepted guidelines and names have been followed.
The surface aspect of Bare Areas is sub-divided into:
Consolidated and Unconsolidated surfaces.
Consolidated - Consolidated bare areas are characterized by the solid and firm consistency
of their surface or by the presence of coarse fragments with these properties. These
surfaces are impenetrable with a spade or a hoe. The surface and the coarse materials
remain coherent and hard even when moist.
Bare Rock and/or Coarse Fragments - This class contains areas that are either dominated
by a continuous rock surface or covered by coarse rock fragments, with a sub-division into
Bare Rock and Gravel, Stones and Boulders.

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A1.4
BARE AREAS
(B16)

Bare Rock - The rock surface is continuous except perhaps for a few cracks in the material.
Some areas may be covered by shallow layers of soil or there could be isolated pockets of
soil or a mixture of both.
Gravel, Stones and Boulders - This class describes areas where rock or mineral fragments
cover the surface. Some areas may be covered by shallow soils. Gravel, Stones or Boulders
can be specified individually if at least 60 percent of the total coarse fragments consists of
any of the three.
The different types of coarse fragments are defined as follows (FAO, 1990):

Gravel is defined as coarse fragments having a size less than 6 cm.

Stones are defined as coarse fragments having a size between 6 and 20 cm.

Boulders are defined as coarse fragments having a size between 20 and 200 cm.
Hardpans - Hardpans are particular soil layers or surfaces that have been indurated due to
chemical or physical processes. Their hardness at the surface is irreversible. They form
impenetrable layers for water and/or plant roots.
In the context of LCCS, these layers are only described when occurring at the surface.
Ironpan/Laterite - Soils rich in iron are irreversibly hardened. Iron is the cement and
the soil contains little or no organic matter.

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APPENDIX

Petrocalcic - The surface of the soil is cemented or indurated by calcium carbonate to the
extent that dry fragments do not slake in water and plant roots cannot penetrate.
Petrogypsic - The surface of the soil is cemented or indurated by gypsum to the extent that
dry fragments do not slake in water and plant roots cannot penetrate.
Unconsolidated - A defined area is covered with materials that are neither solid nor firm.
The surface can be penetrated with a spade or a hoe.
A distinction is made between Bare Soil and/or other Unconsolidated Material and
Loose and Shifting Sands. A Stony or Very Stony surface can be specified.

Bare Soil and/or Other Unconsolidated Materials - Unconsolidated materials cover the
earths surface, resulting from weathering of parent material (including the effects of
moisture and temperature) and/or macro- and micro-organisms. A Stony or Very Stony
surface can be further specified.
Stony - Between 5 and 40 percent of the soil surface is covered with stones. This class can
be applied to both Bare Soil and/or Other Unconsolidated Materials and Loose and
Shifting Sands.
Very Stony - Between 40 to 80 percent of the soil surface is covered with stones. This class
can only be applied in combination with Bare Soil and/or Other Unconsolidated Materials.
Loose and Shifting Sands - These areas are covered by soil particles. These particles may
be moved by regularly occurring winds and form distinct patterns (see Macropattern Sand). A Stony surface can be specified.
A1.4.2 MACROPATTERN
The Macropattern describes the horizontal pattern/arrangement of a specific surface aspect
of soil or sand. This pattern is formed by the elements that form the bare surface (e.g. sandsand, soil-soil). Therefore, a distinction is made between Macropattern - Sand and
Macropattern - Soil.

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Barchans - Crescent-shaped sand dunes, lying transversely to the wind direction with the
horns trailed downwind.
Parabolic - Elongated dunes with horns pointing upwind.
Longitudinal - Long, narrow, symmetrical dunes running parallel with the prevailing
wind direction.
Saturated The area is covered with clustered dunes. This class can be applied to all three
types of dunes.
Unsaturated - The area is covered by dunes occurring in isolation (contrary to the
preceeding). This class can be applied to all three types of dunes.

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Macropattern Sand: Dunes

Dunes are defined as low ridges or hillocks of drifted sand mainly moved by wind. They
occur in deserts or along coasts. The formation of the dunes is dependent on the load of
sand, strength and direction of wind, nature of the surface on which sand is moved (sand
or rock), presence of an obstacle and the presence of groundwater. Therefore, three types
of dunes Barchans; Parabolic; Longitudinal and two types of occurrence Saturated;
Unsaturated are distinguished:

Salt Flats - Flat area line just above the water table covered entirely or partially by a
layer of salt.
Macropattern Soil
Termite Mounds - Cone-shaped hills of hardened earth up to several metres high built by
termite insects. The termite mounds may be built around tree trunks or poles.
Gilgai - This is the micro-relief typical of Vertisols, which expand and contract largely
with distinct seasonal changes in moisture content. Gilgai consists of a succession of
enclosed micro-basins and micro-heaps in nearly level areas or of micro-valleys and microridges that run parallel to the direction of the slope (FAO/UNESCO, 1988).

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

A1.5.1 PHYSICAL STATUS

Depending on the physical status of water a distinction is made into Water, Snow or Ice.
These should cover at least 80 percent of the surface of the total area.
Furthermore, it can be specified whether the water or ice is moving or not: Flowing or
Standing Water, and Moving or Stationary Ice.

APPENDIX

A1.5
ARTIFICIAL (B27) AND NATURAL (B28)
WATERBODIES, SNOW AND ICE

A1.5.2 PERSISTENCE
The amount and duration of flooding may be dependent on climate and rainfall or
controlled by structures like dikes or dams and/or by means of pumps or siphons. A
distinction is made into perennial and non-perennial water persistence. Non-perennial
water regimes can be further sub-divided according to surface aspect of the land exposed
when no water is covering the surface: bare rock, bare soil or sand.
Perennial - The water covers the surface for more than nine months in each year.
Non-Perennial - The water covers the surface for less than nine months in each year.
The surface cover in the absence of water can be further specified.
Further distinction in the duration of the flooding can be specified only for Natural
Waterbodies, Snow and Ice, as follows:

97 months: the water covers the surface from nine to seven months in a year.

64 months: the water covers the surface from six to four months in a year.

31 months: the water covers the surface from three to one month in a year.
Tidal (only for B28)
A regular rise and fall in the level of the sea, caused by the attraction of the moon leads to
various combinations of water cover and substrate exposure (Cowardin et al., 1979). The
four combinations are:

the substrate is permanently flooded with tidal water (subtidal);

the land surface is exposed by tides less often than daily (irregularly exposed);

tidal water alternately floods and exposes the land surface at least once daily
(regularly flooded); or

tidal water floods the land surface less often than daily (irregularly flooded).
Bare Rock - The rock surface is continuous except for a few cracks in the material. Some
areas may be covered by shallow layers of soil or there could be isolated pockets of soil or
a mixture of both.

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Bare Sand - The substrate surface exposed when water is not persistent.
A1.5.3 DEPTH
This class is sub-divided into Deep to Medium Deep and Shallow depth. The classification
of Snow and Ice is indicative.
Deep to Medium Deep - The mean water depth during water presence reaches 2 m and
more. The lower level of 2 m represents the maximum depth in which rooted emergent
water plants can normally grow (Cowardin et al., 1979).
Shallow - The mean water depth is less than 2 m during water presence. The level of 2 m
represents the maximum depth in which rooted emergent water plants can normally grow
(Cowardin et al., 1979).
A1.5.4 SEDIMENT LOAD
Sediment load refers to the suspended load in any kind of water system, which comprises
very fine soil particles which remain in suspension in water for a certain period of time and
the coarser sand-sized particles moved by turbulence of the water (Soil Conservation
Society, 1982). Sub-division is made into Almost No Sediment and Sediment.

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Bare Soil - The substrate surface exposed when water is not persistent.

Almost No Sediment - The water is clear because sediment concentration is too little
to be visible.
Sediment - The sediment concentration is visible, with a concentration ranging from low to
high. To classify concentration, data that are defined by the amount of dry sediment per unit
volume of water can be applied, giving the following classification (Walling and Webb, 1983):

Clear to low sediment concentration: less than 300 mg/l.

Moderate sediment concentration: 300-2 000 mg/l.

High sediment concentration: 2 000-6 000 mg/l.

Very high sediment concentration: more than 6 000 mg/l.
A1.5.5 SALINITY
Water salinity is described according to the concentration of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS),
expressed in parts per million (ppm), giving the following classification:

Fresh: less than 1 000 ppm TDS

Slightly saline: 1 000 3 000 ppm TDS

Moderately saline: 3 000 10 000 ppm TDS

Very saline: 10 000 35 000 ppm TDS

Brine: more than 35 000 ppm TDS (= water saturated or nearly so with salt).

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

A1.6.1 LANDFORM
Landform refers to the shape of the land surface. Landforms are described primarily by
their morphology and not by their genetic origin or by the process responsible for their
shape. The dominant slope is the most important differentiating criterion, followed by
relief intensity. The SOTER approach (UNEP/ISSS/ISRIC/FAO, 1995) has been adopted
at the higher levels.

APPENDIX

A1.6
ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES

Level Land

Plain

Plateau

Depression

Low-Gradient Footslope

Valley Floor

Wadi

Sabkha

Sloping Land

Medium-Gradient Mountain

Medium-Gradient Hill

Medium-Gradient Escarpment Zone

Ridges

Mountainous Highland

Dissected Plain

1. Wadi is etymologically from the Arabic. It represents the drainage pattern formed in earlier, fluvial periods, mostly the
Pleistocene Era. These drainage systems are called dry wadis, being either in a drought environment or receiving only a
seasonal runoff in small quantities. Wadis are prominent in arid and semi-arid zones, including sparse to very open
herbaceous and shrub xerophytic natural vegetation. Wadis typically have a flattened U-shape, with very gently sloping
bottom. In areas of megarelief, wadis receive more seasonal water from the highlands. Accordingly, the soil becomes more
saturated and the natural vegetation coverage increases.
2. A Sabkha is a flat and very saline area of sand or silt lying just above the water table and that is periodically or temporarily
flooded. They often contain soft nodules and enterolithic veins of gypsum or anhydrite. A thin crust of halite and gypsum
may be present in some parts. Many ancient evaporites show sedimentary feature of sabkhas, such as gypsum nodules.

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Land with composite Landforms

Valley

Narrow Plateau

Major Depression
Topography refers to the differences in elevation of the land surface on a broad scale. It
is derived from the most representative or characteristic slope gradient of the area around
and defined as follows (FAO, 1990):

Flat to Almost Flat Terrain : 02 percent slope.

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Rolling Terrain: 1015 percent slope.

Hilly Terrain: 1530 percent slope.

Gently Undulating to Undulating Terrain: 210 percent slope.

Steep Land

High-Gradient Mountain

High-Gradient Hill

High-Gradient Escarpment Zone

High-Gradient Valleys

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Steeply Dissected to Mountainous Terrain: more than 30 percent slope.

APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

GEOLOGICAL PARENT MATERIALS

Igneous rock

Sedimentary rock

Metamorphic rock

Granite
Granodiorite
Quartz diorite
Syenite
Monzonite
Diorite
Gabbro
Foidic plutonic rock
Ultramafic plutonic rock
Igneous hypabyssal rock
Aplite
Pegmatite
Porphyry
Dolerite/diabase
Igneous volcanic rock
Rhyolite
Dacite
Trachyte
Latite
Andesite
Basalt
Phonolite
Tephrite
Pyroclastic rock
Ash
Lapilli
Scoria
Tuff
Ignimbrite
Lahar
Agglomerate
Other Igneous rock

Unconsolidated clastic
sedimentary rock
Clay
Silt
Sand
Gravel
Loess
Loam
Colluvium
Shells
Consolidated clastic
siliceous sedimentary rock
Mudstone
Siltstone
Shale
Quartzarenite
Lithic arenite
Feldspathic arenite/arkose
Graywacke
Conglomerate
Breccia
Calcareous rock
Marl
Calcilutite
Calcarenite
Calcirudite
Algal/reefal limestone
Travertine
Tufa
Dolomite
Evaporite
Gypsum
Halite
Organic rock
Peat
Lignite
Coal
Tar
Residual rock
Laterite
Bauxite
Kaolin
Other Sedimentary rock

Contact metamorphic rock

Hornfels
Spotted slate
Skarn
Cataclastic metamorphic rock
Cataclastic breccia
Mylonite
Regional-metamorphic rock
Slate
Schist
Gneiss
Migmatite
Granulite
Eclogite
Quartzite
Marble
Serpentinite
Other Metamorphic rock

APPENDIX

A1.6.2 LITHOLOGY
The parent material can be identified as well as the age of the geological parent material.
Three major groupings are distinguished: Igneous rock, Sedimentary rock and
Metamorphic rock (provided by Kroonenberg, 1998).
The age of the geological parent materials can be specified as follows:

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divided into: Late Pleistocene, Middle Pleistocene and Early Pleistocene.

Tertiary, further divided into: Pliocene, Miocene, Oligocene, Eocene and Paleocene.
Mesozoic, further divided into: Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic.
Palaeozoic, further divided into: Permian, Carboniferous, Devonian, Silurian,
Ordovician and Cambrian.
Precambrian.

A1.6.3 SOIL SURFACE ASPECT

The surface aspect of bare areas is described. In contrast with the major land cover
type, no distinction between Consolidated and Unconsolidated is made at this level,
but more detailed options are available: Bare Rock, Soil Surface, Loose and Shifting
Sands and Hardpans.
Bare Rock - The rock surface is continuous except perhaps for a few cracks in the material.
Some areas may be covered by shallow layers of soil or there could be isolated pockets of
soil or a mixture of both.
Soil Surface - This class includes the naturally occurring unconsolidated material on the
earths surface, which may result from weathering of parent material, climate (including the
effects of moisture and temperature) and macro- and micro-organisms.

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Quaternary, further divided into: Holocene and Pleistocene. The latter is sub-

Stony - Between 5 and 40 percent of the soil surface is covered with stones. This class can
only be applied in combination with Soil Surface and Loose and Shifting Sands.
Very Stony - Between 40 and 80 percent of the soil surface is covered with stones. This
class can be applied with Soil Surface and Loose and Shifting Sand.
Loose and Shifting Sand - These areas are covered by soil particles between 0.05 mm and
2 mm in diameter. These particles may be moved by regularly occurring winds and form
distinct patterns (see Dunes).
Stony - Between 5 and 40 percent of the soil surface is covered with stones. This class can
only be applied in combination with Soil Surface and Loose and Shifting Sand.
Very Stony - Between 40 and 80 percent of the soil surface is covered with stones. This
class can be applied with Soil Surface and Loose and Shifting Sand.
Dunes - Dunes are defined as low ridges or hillocks of drifted sand, mainly moved by
wind. They occur in deserts or along coasts. The formation of the dunes is dependent on
the sand load, strength and direction of wind, nature of the surface on which sand is moved
(sand or rock); presence of any obstacle; and the presence of groundwater.

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

Hardpan - Particular soil layers or surfaces are indurated due to chemical or physical
processes. They form impenetrable layers for water and/or plant roots.
Ironpan/Laterite - Soils rich in iron are irreversibly hardened. Iron is the cement and
there is little or no organic matter, although it may be present in traces.
Petrocalcic - The surface of the soil is cemented or indurated by calcium carbonate to the
extent that dry fragments do not slake in water and roots can not penetrate.
Petrogypsic - The surface of the soil is cemented or indurated by gypsum to the extent that
dry fragments do not slake in water and roots can not penetrate.

A1.6.4 SOIL SOIL PROFILE DESCRIPTION

The soil profile is described, along with its characteristics. In the classification presented
here, the classes followed are as described in the Soil Map of the World - Revised Legend
(FAO/UNESCO, 1988).
Histosols - Histosols are formed of incompletely decomposed plant remains. They are
characterized by a thick soil horizon that is rich in organic material. These soils form
mainly because of very low temperatures or very wet conditions or both, throughout the
year. Most Histosols are loosely packed in their natural state and virgin peats retain
considerable quantities of water. Histosols are estimated to cover 270 million ha
worldwide, mainly in boreal and cold climates, but they also occur in swampy areas
throughout the tropical world.
Anthrosols - Anthrosols occur whenever human activities have resulted in profound
modifications or burial of the original soils through removal or disturbance of surface
horizons, cuts and fills, additions of organic materials, long-continued irrigation or dumps
of town, mine or industrial waste, in which soils have developed. Such soils are estimated
to occupy about 0.5 million ha, mainly in areas of very intensive horticulture and
agriculture in Western Europe.
Andosols - Andosols are soils developed in volcanic ash, tuff, pumice and other volcanic
ejects of various compositions. The rapid weathering of the porous parent material results
in the accumulation of amorphous clays with a high specific surface. In general, Andosols
have a fluffy consistency and a dark colour. These soils are further characterized by their
high porosity, high permeability and their large soil moisture storage capacity. They are rich
in nutrients, but show a great affinity for phosphate ions that they bind and which become
unavailable for crops. The total extent of Andosols is estimated at about 110 million ha,
concentrated in the circum-Pacific region, corresponding with areas where volcanoes
are active.

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Vertisols - Vertisols are characterized by their high clay contents. They are often dark
coloured. Due to their smectite clay mineralogy, they are very hard and crack when dry,
but become sticky and plastic (often impassable) when wet. These are chemically rich soils,
but they may develop an undulating micro relief (gilgai) which hampers mechanization.
Vertisols have great agricultural potential, but special management practices are required to
secure sustained agricultural production. Unless mechanization or irrigation is feasible,
they are best suited for grazing. These soils occupy about 340 million ha, mainly
concentrated in the Deccan Plateau of India, the Gezira in Sudan, South Africa, Ethiopia,
Tanzania, eastern Australia, Argentina and Texas.

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Arenosols - Arenosols are defined by their sandy particle size and the absence of
significant soil profile development. Arenosols are very permeable soils and their storage
capacity for soil moisture is low within the normal rooting depths of crops. Their surface
horizon is often pale and poor in organic matter. Their inherent fertility status is low. They
are easy to till and tend to form a dry surface quickly, which protects soil moisture against
evaporation. For these reasons, they are often preferred over heavier soils for agriculture
in semi-arid regions. Arenosols are one of the most extensive soils of the world. They
occupy about 900 million ha in the Sahel zone, the Kalahari basin and Australia.

Fluvisols - Fluvisols are soils developed in recent fluviatile, lacustrine or marine deposits,
particularly in periodically flooded places. They occur in all climates and are mainly
associated with great river deltas. Fluvisols receive fresh sediments regularly, show
stratified layers and an irregular distribution of organic matter with depth. They are often
fertile and occur generally on flat lands. The total area of Fluvisols is estimated at 355
million ha, concentrated in river plains, deltas and coastal lowlands. They are often very
productive, except for those on tidal flats that are normally under mangrove in the tropics.
Gleysols - The formation of Gleysols is conditioned by waterlogging at shallow depth for
some or all of the year. The prolonged saturation of soils by groundwater in the presence
of organic matter results in the reduction of iron, that is partly leached from the soil and
forms a grey, olive or blue coloured soil horizon. Subsequent re-oxidation takes place in
fissures and brown, yellowish or reddish mottles may appear in the soil.
The total area of Gleysols is estimated at 720 million ha, of which nearly half occurs
in Siberia and Alaska. The remainder occurs in the lowland tropics and subtropics, where
they are often used for bunded rice growing.
Leptosols - These soils are characterized by their shallow depth (less than 30 cm) over an
impermeable layer of rock ironpan, etc.. Their limited soil volume makes them subject to
drought, but also to waterlogging and runoff. They are the most extensive soil group in the
world, with 1655 million ha, concentrated in mountainous, desert or boreal areas. Most
Leptosols remain under their natural vegetation.

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

Cambisols - Cambisols are the second most extensive soils in the world, with an estimated
extent of about 1 575 million ha. They are characterized by moderate weathering and an
absence of clay immigration. Although their other properties may vary considerably, they
generally have good structural stability, a high porosity, good water holding capacity and
good internal drainage. They have a moderate to high natural fertility status and an active
soil fauna. They are common in boreal and polar climates, in deserts and mountainous areas.

APPENDIX

Regosols - These soils are characterized by their little soil development due to the very
cold climate in which they occur or to the steep slopes on which they form in other
climates. Surface horizons are often thin and poor in organic matter, and the subsoil
reflects the parent material. Their extent is estimated at about 580 million ha.
The land use of Regosols depends mainly on the climate and the relief. Those in the arctic
are under natural vegetation; those in warmer and wetter climates can be used for dry farming,
but often require supplementary irrigation. Most Regosols remain under natural vegetation.

Ferralsols - Ferralsols are extremely weathered soils developed in a humid or very humid
tropical climates. They are characterized by the presence of kaolinitic clays and (hydr)
oxides of iron and aluminium with a very low content of weatherable minerals. They are
deep to very deep and generally show reddish or yellowish colours. Ironstone nodules and
ironpans are common. The estimated area of Ferralsols is 745 million ha, mainly
concentrated in the areas of tropical rain forests. Ferralsols are very poor in nutrients and
their level of aluminium may reach toxic levels. At the same time, their physical
characteristics are favourable. Careful fertilization, including liming and phosphorus
applications, may provide reasonably productive soils, particularly for tropical tree crops
such as oil palm, coffee and rubber.
Acrisols - Acrisols are soils developed on old land surfaces with a hilly or undulating
topography in seasonally dry and humid tropical and monsoon climates. Closed and open
woodland is their natural climax vegetation type, often replaced by a tree savannah maintained
by seasonal fires. They are characterized by a horizon in which clay has accumulated and by
their low base status. They are poor in nutrients and often suffer from aluminium toxicity and
phosphorus deficiency. In contrast to the Ferralsols, they are easily eroded and have severe
limitations for agriculture. Acrisols cover about 1 000 million ha throughout Southeast Asia,
West Africa and the southeastern United States, where they occur with Alisols.
Lixisols - Most Lixisols developed in similar conditions to Acrisols. However, the
prevailing present climate is drier and the combined influence of the dry season and the
changing vegetation results in a higher nutrient status in these soils. They are characterized
by a horizon in which clay has accumulated and by a high base status. These soils are
particularly prone to erosion and they require minimum tillage and conservation measures
if brought under agriculture. Lixisols have an estimated extent of 440 million ha, mainly
in east central Brazil, the Indian subcontinent and southeast Africa.

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Plinthisols - Plinthisols develop in tropical conditions and are characterized by the

dominant presence of an iron-rich mixture of clay and silica (plinthite) that irreversibly
hardens into ironstone concretions and pans on exposure. A groundwater table normally
influences these soils. They occupy about 60 million ha, mainly in Brazil and West Africa.
Most Plinthisols are poor in nutrients. When the plinthite hardens, the soils suffer from
insufficient rooting depths and seasonal dry spells. They are best kept under natural
vegetation with associated extensive grazing or fuelwood production. From a civil
engineering point of view, plinthite is a good material from which to make building blocks.

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Nitisols - Nitisols are characterized by a deep accumulation or clay and a very strong
angular blocky structure that shows shiny pressure faces. These soils contain more then 35
percent clay and have a very active soil fauna. They have excellent chemical and physical
properties and they are consequently among the most productive soils of the tropics. Their
total extent is estimated at 200 million ha, mainly in eastern Africa, the west coast of
India, the Philippines, Java, Cuba and Central America.

Alisols - These are characterized by a mixed clay mineralogy, clay migration and a very low
base status. They are very acid and have generally a very high aluminium content.
Their physical characteristics are also unfavourable: a low structural stability of the
surface horizon results in slaking, with reduced permeability and internal drainage.
Their extent is unknown, but probably about 100 million ha, mainly in the tropics and
subtropics, but they may occur under forest in more temperate and colder climates.
Liming and fertilizer application may overcome their low chemical fertility, while
minimum tillage helps to preserve the surface soil.
Solonchaks - Solonchaks are saline soils formed when evaporation greatly exceeds rainfall,
as in arid and semi-arid areas, or where salts are present in the parent material of the soil.
Solonchaks cover about 190 million ha, with vast areas occurring in Chad, Namibia
and Australia, in Paraguay and Uruguay.
The high salt content limits plant growth to salt-tolerant plants and halophytes.
Solonchaks can not be used for agriculture unless an excess of irrigation water leaches the
salts out, while a drainage system that keeps the groundwater table at sufficient depth is
often required.
Solonetz - Solonetz are formed in environments with a pronounced dry season and where
sodium is present in excess over calcium, due either to saline groundwater or to sodiumcontaining minerals in the parent material. Clay is dispersed and forms a dense
accumulation horizon at shallow depth, with a typical columnar or prismatic soil structure.
The extent of these soils is estimated at about 135 million ha in the same areas where
Solonchaks occur, but they are also important in colder climates with a pronounced dry
season, such as Canada and the former Soviet Union.

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APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

Gypsisols - In arid regions, Gypsisols form through dissolution from calcium sulphate
contained in weathering materials and precipitation of gypsum in the subsoil as a fine white
powder, crystals, pebbles, stones or even at the surface of the soil as desert roses. If
sufficiently abundant, a hard gypsum crust may be formed.
The total extent of Gypsisols is estimated at about 90 million ha, mainly concentrated
in the driest part of the arid climatic zone: the Libyan and Namibian deserts, Yemen,
Somalia, northern Iraq and Syria.
Chemical fertility of these soils is low and their physical characteristics unfavourable.
With irrigation, drainage and heavy fertilization, good yields may be obtained for alfalfa,
wheat, apricots and grapes.

APPENDIX

The high sodium content directly affects plant growth. Most Solonetz are used for
extensive grazing, but they can be reclaimed in colder climates through deep ripping,
irrigation with calcium-rich water and pyrite or gypsum applications.

Calcisols - The most prominent feature of Calcisols is the translocation of calcium

carbonate from the surface layers to an accumulation layer at some depth in the soil. This
layer may be soft and powdery or consists of hard concretions and can eventually become
indurated and cemented.
The extent of Calcisols is estimated at about 800 million ha, mainly concentrated in
semi-arid and Mediterranean climates.
Most Calcisols have a medium to fine texture, with good water holding capacity. They
are generally well drained. These are potentially fertile soils, but their high calcium
carbonate content is not favourable for many crops and may result in iron and zinc
deficiency in crops. These soils are mainly used for grazing.
Chernozems - In the colder areas of steppe climates, Chernozems develop, which are soils
with a very dark, deep, humus- and nutrient-rich topsoil. These soils may contain 4 to 16
percent of organic matter and show intense activity of earthworms and other small
burrowing animals.
Chernozems cover about 230 million ha worldwide, mainly in Eurasia and North
America. The chemical and physical properties of these soils are very favourable for agriculture.
Kastanozems - In the dry and warmer areas of the steppe region, the natural vegetation is
dominated by early ripening grasses, resulting in Kastanozems with a brown soil surface
horizon, rich in organic matter (2 to 4 percent) and characterized by an accumulation of
calcium carbonate (or even gypsum) in the subsoil.
Kastanozems have an estimated extent of 465 million ha, mainly concentrated in areas
bordering deserts: the southern republics of the former Soviet Union, central Mongolia,
northern Argentina and Paraguay, and throughout north and central America.
The physical characteristics of Kastanozems are slightly less favourable than those of
the Chernozems, but otherwise these soil groups are comparable.

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Phaeozems - Phaeozems occur in more humid and warmer environments than other
steppe soils and their weathering and leaching are more pronounced. Phaeozems are
characterized by their humus-rich surface horizon and the absence of calcium carbonate
accumulations in the subsoil.
Phaeozems are estimated at about 155 million ha, mainly in the North American prairie
region, the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay and the subtropical steppe of Eastern Asia.
Phaeozems are porous, well aerated soils with stable structures, relatively rich in
nutrients and make excellent farmland.

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Greyzems - In a narrow belt north of the Chernozem zone, the climate is no longer
favourable for steppe-like vegetation and deciduous forests have invaded former
grasslands. The characteristic nutrient- and humus-rich surface horizon of the steppe soils
still persists, however. Greyzems are further characterized by clay accumulation and the
occurrence of bleached sand and silt particles in the surface horizon.
Most Greyzems are well drained, have good soil moisture storage capacity and good
chemical fertility. They may suffer as a result of dry and wet spells, and from surface crusting.
Normally they remain under forest, but they can be used for cryophylic cereals and
spring-grown crops.

Luvisols - These soils are characterized by clay migration from the surface horizon to an
accumulation horizon at some depth and a rich nutrient status. They are common in flat
or gently sloping land in cool temperate climates and in Mediterranean-climate zones with
a distinct dry and wet season.
Luvisols cover about 650 million ha in west-central Russia, the USA and Central Europe.
In warmer regions, they are common in the Mediterranean basin and in southern Australia.
Luvisols are in general fertile soils with high nutrient content and moderate to high soil
moisture storage capacity. Luvisols are often intensively used for agriculture.
Podzoluvisols - Podzoluvisols are characterized by a distinct bleached, iron- and claydepleted horizon overlying and penetrating into a brownish horizon of clay accumulation.
They have developed in flat and undulating landscapes previously covered by ice. Their
natural vegetation is taiga or coniferous and mixed forest.
Podzoluvisols cover about 320 million ha, mainly concentrated in a broad belt
extending from Poland to western Russia, and eastward into central Siberia, and in central
Canada extending westward from Baffin Bay.
Most Podzoluvisols are acid, with a low nutrient content and their structure is easily
destroyed. Many of these soils remain under natural forest vegetation.
Podzols - Podzols are characterized by a horizon in which iron and aluminium, or organic
matter, or both, have accumulated. Normally this layer underlies a bleached horizon.
The topsoil of Podzols shows little biological activity. In the Northern Hemisphere,
Podzols occur generally in boreal and cold climates under heather or coniferous forest. In the

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Planosols - These soils are characterized by a coarse-textured layer abruptly overlying a

deeper horizon with considerably more clay. Planosols mainly occur in water-receiving
sites on flat or gently undulating terrain, with a natural vegetation of grasses or open forest.
Planosols worldwide cover about 130 million ha, with important concentrations in
Brazil, northern Argentina, South Africa and eastern Australia.
Chemical properties of Planosols are variable, but they generally have a moderate to
low fertility level. They have low structural stability and, due to the compactness of the
subsoil, they often suffer from seasonal waterlogging. They are difficult to manage or
improve, and are often used for extensive grazing.

APPENDIX

humid tropics they occur exclusively in sandy materials and are under open forest or savannah.
Podzols occupy about 400 million ha worldwide, mainly concentrated in Scandinavia,
Russia, and Canada south of Baffin Bay. Tropical Podzols occur in the Guineas, in
northern Australia, in Indonesia and in western Zambia.
Podzols are chemically poor and may suffer from waterlogging. They are normally left
under their natural vegetation.

A1.6.5 CLIMATE
Climate is classified according to the Agro-Ecological Zoning methodology as developed
by FAO (De Pauw et al., 1996). Two items need to be determined: the Thermal Climate
and the Length of Growing Period (LGP).
Thermal Climate
1. Tropics Monthly mean temperature (Tmean) is higher than 18C in every month.
2. Subtropics Summer Rainfall (Tmean) in every month is higher than 5C and at least
one month with Tmean lower than 18 C.
Precipitation (P) concentrated in summer (Psummer is lower than Pwinter).
3. Subtropics Winter rainfall As for 2, but Pwinter is lower than Psummer.
4. Temperate Oceanic Four or more months have Tmean higher than 10C and at least
one month has Tmean lower than 5C. The difference between the Tmean of warmest
and coldest month is lower than 20C.
5. Temperate Continental As for 4, but the difference between Tmean warmest and
coldest is higher than 20C.
6. Boreal Oceanic One to four months have Tmean higher than 10C and at least one
month has Tmean lower than 5C. Difference in Tmean between warmest and coldest
month is lower than 20C.
7. Boreal Continental As for 6, but difference in Tmean between warmest and coldest
months is higher than 20C.
8. Polar/Arctic All months have a Tmean lower than 10C.

145

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A

Humid: LGP = 240329 days

Perhumid: LGP >330 days

Subhumid: LGP = 180239 days

Temperature- and moisture-delimited Length of

Growing Period (LGP)
This is the period of the year that moisture and temperature are not limiting crop growth.
In technical terms, it is calculated as the period starting when rainfall is more than 0.5 of
potential evapotranspiration (PET) or Tmean is greater than 5C, whichever comes last, and
ends when a maximum soil moisture storage of 100 mm has been depleted or rainfall is
lower than 0.5 PET or Tmean is lower than 5C, whichever comes first. The growing period
can be broken by a dormancy period. Killing temperatures, snow cover and a soil moisture
depletion factor are all taken into account in the calculation.
The following classes are suggested:

Hyperarid: LGP = 0 days

Arid: LGP = 159 days

Dry Semi-Arid: LGP = 60119 days

Moist Semi-Arid: LGP = 120179 days

146

A1.6 6 ALTITUDE
The following altitude ranges, based on their ecological meaning, are distinguished:
1. Below 50 to 300 m. This altitude range is further sub-divided into:

<50 m

50100 m

100300 m
2. 3001 500 m. This altitude range is further sub-divided into:

300600 m

6001 000 m

1 0001 500 m
3. 1 5003 000 m. This altitude range is further sub-divided into:

1 5002 000 m

2 0002 500 m

2 5003 000 m
4. 3 000 to >5 000 m. This altitude range is further sub-divided into:

3 0003 500 m

3 5005 000 m

>5 000 m

APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

A1.6.7 EROSION
No Visible Erosion - No visible traces of erosion can be recognized on the surface.
Visible Evidence of Erosion - Visible traces of erosion can be recognized on the surface
but are not further specified. A further specification can be made into Water Erosion, Wind
Erosion and Mass Movement.
Water Erosion - Raindrop erosion or splash erosion is the impact of water drops directly
on the soil particles and is the initial step in all water erosion. The transport of soil particles
by water either in sheet, rill or gully erosion is defined below.

Sheet Erosion - In the classic concept, sheet erosion was defined as the uniform removal
of soil in thin layers from sloping land, resulting in sheet or overland flow in thin layers.
However, studies have revealed that minute rilling take place almost simultaneously with
the first detachment and movement of soil particles (Hudson, 1981; Schwab, 1981). The
constant change of position of these tiny rills obscure their presence from normal
observation. Raindrops cause soil particles to be detached and the increased sediment load
reduces the infiltration rate by sealing the soil pores. The soil particles are subsequently
transported by runoff.
Guideline
During development of sheet erosion pedestals may be formed, boulders may be left with a soil
collar, roots of trees may get exposed or subsurface soil horizons may appear at the surface.
Rill Erosion - Rill erosion is the removal of soil by water from small but well-defined
channels or streamlets when there is a concentration of overland flow. Rills are defined as
less than 30 cm deep and small enough to be easily removed by normal tillage operations.
They disappear normally after proper land preparation (e.g. ploughing) and are no longer
mappable.
Gully Erosion - Gully erosion is the removal of soil by water from channels larger than
rills. These channels carry water during and immediately after rains and, unlike rills, they
can not be removed by tillage operations. A gully develops by processes that take place
either simultaneously or during different periods of its growth:

waterfall erosion at the gully head;

channel erosion by water flow through the gully with raindrop splash on
unprotected soil; and

mass movement (collapse or slump from the sides) of soil in the gully.
Wind Erosion - Soil movement is initiated as a result of turbulence and velocity of wind.
The sediment is transported in suspension, by saltation or creep. The quantity of soil moved
is influenced by the particle size, gradation of particles, wind velocity and distance across

147

Mass movement - Masses of locally saturated soil move downhill, usually in one single
movement before coming to rest. This type of erosion usually occurs after protracted rains.
Although quite large quantities of soil may be moved, there is relatively little disturbance
within this soil mass. A small crescent shaped slip scar is formed where the faster moving
downslope soil tears away from the slower moving upslope soil.
A1.6.8 WATER QUALITY
Depending on the level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) expressed in parts per million (ppm),
three classes are distinguished: fresh, brackish and saline water (Cowardin et al., 1979).
<1 000 ppm TDS.

Fresh Water:

Brackish Water: 1 00010 000 ppm TDS.
>10 000 ppm TDS.

Saline Water:

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the eroding area. The rate of movement increases with distance from the windward edge of
the field or eroded area. These increased rates of soil movement with distance from the
windward edge of the area subject to erosion are the result of increasing amounts of erosive
particles, thus causing greater abrasion and a gradual decrease in surface roughness. The rate
of erosion varies for different soils. Deposition of sediment occurs when gravitational force
is greater than the forces holding the particles in the air. This usually occurs when there is a
decrease in wind velocity caused by vegetation or other physical barriers.

A1.6.9 VEGETATION
Scattered Vegetation Present - In areas with less than 4 percent vegetative cover, some
vegetation may be present and usually this vegetation is scattered over the whole area. The
life forms composing this type of vegetation can be any life form and, due to their scattered
distribution, it may be difficult to further specify them.
Woody - Perennial plants with stem(s) and branches from which buds and shoots develop
(Ford-Robertson, 1971). Semi-woody plants are included here (Eiten, 1968).
Guidelines
The life forms composing Woody vegetation can be trees or shrubs but, due to their
scattered distribution, it may be difficult to distinguish one from the other.
Herbaceous - Plants without persistent stem or shoots above ground and lacking definite
firm structure (Scoggan, 1978). There are two categories depending on the physiognomy
(Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988; UNESCO, 1973): Forbs and Graminoids.
Guidelines
The life forms composing Herbaceous vegetation can be Forbs or Graminoids, but, due to
their scattered distribution, it may be difficult to distinguish one from the other.

148

APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

Forbs - Includes all broad-leaved herbaceous plants in the common sense (e.g. sunflower,
clover, etc.) and all non-graminoid herbaceous plants (UNESCO, 1973). Therefore ferns,
except tree ferns (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988) and very low non-leafy succulents (Eiten,
1968), are considered as forbs.
Guideline
This sub-division can only be applied if Forbs comprise more than 75 percent of the
herbaceous coverage.
Graminoids - All herbaceous grasses and other narrowleaved grass-like plants that are not
grasses according to the taxonomic definition are Graminoids(Kuechler and Zonneveld,
1988). Bamboos are also grasses but they are woody and therefore classed with shrubs or trees.

Guidelines
This sub-division can only be applied if Graminoids comprise more than 75 percent of the
herbaceous coverage.
Lichens/Mosses - Lichens are composite organisms formed from the symbiotic association
of fungi and algae. They encrust rocks, tree trunks, etc. and are often found under extreme
environmental conditions (Lawrence, 1989). In tundras of North America and Eurasia,
lichens (e.g. Cladonia ssp.) may cover large areas (Kuechler and Zonneveld, 1988).
Mosses are a group of photo-autotrophic land plants without true leaves, stems, roots,
but with leaf- and stemlike organs (e.g. sphagnum) (Gray, 1970). Several plants commonly
called mosses belong to other groups: reindeer moss is a lichen; Spanish moss is a vascular
plant (parasite); Irish moss is an algae (Lawrence, 1989).
Guidelines
This category is only applied if the other life forms are not present and when Lichen/Mosses
cover is more than 4 percent but less than 20 percent. Otherwise they do not form a specific
class, but their presence can be mentioned in the description of another land cover class.
Lichens is only applied when both lichens and mosses are present but Lichens comprise
more than 75 percent of the total cover.
Mosses is only applied when both lichens and mosses are present but Mosses comprise
more than 75 percent of the total cover.
A1.6.10 CROP COVER/DENSITY
The Crop Cover/Crop Density can be considered as the proportion of a particular area of
the ground or substrate covered by a layer of plants considered at the greatest horizontal
perimeter level of each plant in the layer (according to Eiten, 1968). A distinction is made
for Permanent Life Forms into Closed (more than 6070 percent), Open (7060 to 2010
percent) and Sparse (less than 2010 percent), and for Temporary Life Forms into High
(more than 60 percent), Medium (6030 percent) and Low (3015 percent). The reason of

149

A1.6.11 PERMANENT LIFE FORMS (e.g. TREES AND SHRUBS)

Closed (more than 7060 percent) - A layer of a certain permanent life form covers more
than 6070 percent of a defined area.
The crowns interlock, touch or are very slightly separated. In the last-named case, the
distance between two perimeters is no more than 1/6 of the crown average diameter (Eiten,
1968). The crowns can form an even or uneven closed canopy layer.

]
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expressing the Crop Cover/Crop Density through ranges instead of using absolute values
will be described under the respective guidelines.
As herbaceous plants are seasonal in character, it has to be noted that the cover of
herbaceous vegetation is always considered at the time of its fullest development.
In addition to specification of the Crop Cover/Density, the user can add to the land
cover class of Permanent Life Forms the attribute Plantation or Orchard. In practice, many
tree or shrub crops are described in those terms (e.g. rubber plantation, tea plantation) and
that is the reason why they have been included.

Guideline
If plants are growing in a defined area with the crowns being tangent to each other,
presuming that the crowns of a woody life form are circular in plan, the cover of the canopy
will be approximately 78 percent. As crowns are in reality interlocking and small open
spaces in the canopy are frequent in an otherwise closed canopy layer, the lower limit of
closed vegetation is set at 60 percent. Because of the great variability of the horizontal
character of closed vegetation, namely different crown shapes of plant species, the value
range can vary from 60 to 70 percent.
Open (between 7060 and 2010 percent) - Between 7060 percent and 2010 percent of
a defined area is covered by a certain layer of a permanent life form. The crowns are usually
not interlocking. The distance between the crown perimeters can range from small up to
twice the average diameter (Eiten, 1968).
Guideline
In the case of woody vegetation with a cover of 7060 to 40 percent, the plants are standing
quite close together and, from a distance, they may appear to grow continuously (Kuechler
and Zonneveld, 1988).
Sparse (20-10 percent) - (2010) percent of a defined area is covered by a certain layer of
permanent life forms. The distance between two perimeters of a life form is more than
twice the average perimeter diameter (Eiten, 1968). In many cases, a sparse life form might
be associated with another life form of greater cover continuity (e.g. a young rubber tree
plantation with graminoids).

150

APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

A1.6.12 TEMPORARY LIFE FORMS (e.g. HERBACEOUS)

For Temporary Life Forms, the Crop Density can be described. This cover information
will inform the user of a possible crop failure. Description of the Crop Density for seasonal
plants should take place at the time of the crops fullest development.

APPENDIX

Guidelines
The range of 20 to 10 percent is applied because sparse cover is rarely homogenous and
therefore cannot be easily defined as a single value.
Please note the difference in the lower threshold value compared with Natural and
Semi-natural Terrestrial Vegetation (A12).

High (> 60 percent) - A certain layer of a Temporary Life Form covers more than 60 percent
of a defined area.
Medium (6030 percent) - A certain layer of a Temporary Life Form covers between 60 and
30 percent of a defined area.
Low (3015 percent) - A certain layer of a Temporary Life Form covers between 30 and
15 percent of a defined area.
A1.6.13 CROP GROWING PERIOD (ONLY FOR HERBACEOUS)
A certain herbaceous crop can reach full maturity in the following periods:
Less than two months: The crop will mature within 2 months.
Less than four months: The crop will mature between 2 and 4 months after planting.
Less than six months: The crop will mature between 4 and 6 months after planting.
Less than eight months: The crop will mature between 6 and 8 months after planting.
Less than ten months: The crop will mature between 8 and 10 months after planting.
Less than one year: The crop will mature between 10 and 12 months after planting.
A1.6.14 CROP SEEDING TIME (ONLY FOR HERBACEOUS)
A certain herbaceous crop can reach full maturity in the following periods:
Between 1-3 month of the year: A certain herbaceous crop is seeded during the first
trimester of the year.:

In the 1st month: the crop is seeded during the first month of the year.

In the 2nd month: the crop is seeded during the second month of the year.

In the 3rd month: the crop is seeded during the third month of the year.

151

Inside 7-9 month of the year: A certain herbaceous crop is seeded during the third
trimester of the year.

In the 7th month: the crop is seeded during the seventh month of the year.

In the 8th month: the crop is seeded during the eighth month of the year.

In the 9th month: the crop is seeded during the ninth month of the year.

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Inside 4-6 month of the year: A certain herbaceous crop is seeded during the second
trimester of the year.

In the 4th month: the crop is seeded during the fourth month of the year.

In the 5th month: the crop is seeded during the fifth month of the year.

In the 6th month: the crop is seeded during the sixth month of the year.

152

Inside 10-12 month of the year: A certain herbaceous crop is seeded during the fourth
trimester of the year.

In the 10th month: the crop is seeded during the tenth month of the year.

In the 11th month: the crop is seeded during the eleventh month of the year.

In the 12th month: the crop is seeded during the twelfth month of the year.

APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY OF CLASSIFIERS, MODIFIERS AND ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX

REFERENCES FOR APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY

Bergsma, E., Charman, P., Gibbons, F., Hurni, H., Moldenhauer, W.C. & Panichapong, S. 1996.
Terminology for Soil Erosion and Conservation. Concepts, Definitions and Multilingual List of
Terms For Soil Erosion and Conservation In English, Spanish, French and German.
ISSS/ITC/ISRIC.
Cowardin, L.M., Carter, V., Golet, F.C. & LaRoe, E.T. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and
Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S. Department of the
Interior, Washington, DC.
De Pauw E., Nachtergaele F.O. & Antoine J. 1996. A provisional world climatic resource inventory
based on the length-of-growing-period concept. In Batjes N.H., Kauffman J.H. & Spaargaren O.C.
(Ed.), National Soil Reference Collections and Databases (NASREC Vol.3), ISRIC, 1996, pp.30-43.

Di Gregorio, A. & Jansen, L.J.M. 1997. Part 1 - Technical Document on the Africover Land Cover
Classification Scheme. In: FAO. Africover Land Cover Classification. FAO, Rome.
Eiten, G. 1968. Vegetation Forms. A classification of stands of vegetation based on structure, growth
form of the components, and vegetative periodicity. Boletim do Instituto de Botanica, San Paulo,
No. 4. 67p.
Euroconsult. 1989. Agricultural Compendium for Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Science.
European Soils Bureau. 1997. Georeferenced Soil Database for Europe. Manual of Procedures.
Draft 2.1. pp. 7981.
FAO. 1990. Guidelines for Soil Profile Description. 3rd edition (Revised). FAO/ISRIC, Rome.
FAO/UNESCO. 1988 (reprinted 1990). Soil Map of the World. Revised Legend. FAO World Soil
Resources Report, No. 60.
Ford-Robertson, F.C. (ed). 1971. Terminology of Forest Science, Technology Practice and Products.
Society of American Foresters, Washington DC.
Feoli, E., Langonegro, M. & Orloci, L. 1984. Information Analysis of Vegetation Data. The Hague: Junk.
Gray, P. 1970. Encyclopaedia of the Biological Sciences. 2nd Edition. New York, USA:
Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Hudson, N. 1981. Soil Conservation. London: Batsford.
Kuechler, A.W. & Zonneveld, I.S. (eds). 1988. Handbook of Vegetation Science. Dordrecht, the
Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Lawrence, E. 1989. Hendersons Dictionary of Biological Terms. 10th edition. Essex, UK: Longman
Scientific & Technical.
Lipton, K.L. 1995. Dictionary of Agriculture. Boulder, Colorado, USA: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Rehm, S. & Espig, G. 1991. The cultivated plants of the tropics and subtropics: cultivation,
economic value, utilization. Verlag Josef Margraf Scientific Books. Berlin, Germany.
Ruthenberg, H., MacArthur, J.D., Zandstra, H.D. & Collinson, M.P. 1980. Farming Systems in the
Tropics. 3rd edition. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press.

153

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Scoggan, H.J. 1978. The Flora of Canada. Ottawa: National Museums of Canada.
Shaner, W.W., Philipp, P.F. & Schmehl, W.R. (eds). 1982. Farming Systems Research and
Development: Guidelines For Developing Countries. Boulder, Colorado, USA: Westview Press.
Strasburger, E., Noll, F., Schenck, H. & Schimper, A.F.W. (eds). 1991. Lehrbuch der Botanik Fuer
Hochschulen. Stuttgart, Germany: Gustav Fischer Verlag.
Soil Conservation Society of America. 1982. Resource Conservation Glossary. 3rd edition Ankeny,
Iowa, USA: Soil Conservation Society of America.
UNEP/ISSS/ISRIC/FAO. 1995. Global and National Soils and Terrain Digital databases (SOTER)
- Procedures Manual. World Soil Resources Report, No. 74/Rev. 1.
UNESCO. 1973. International Classification and Mapping of Vegetation. UNESCO, Paris.

Schwab, G.O., Frevert, R.K., Edminster, T.W. & Barnes, K.K. 1981. Soil and Water Conservation
Engineering. 3rd edition. New York, USA: John Wiley.

154

Walling, D.E. & Webb, B.W. 1983. Water Quality: Physical Characteristics. In: Background of
Paleohydrology. New York, USA: John Wiley.
WAU [Wageningen Agricultural University]. 1995. Landbouw en Teeltsystemen. H. Ten Have (ed).
Dept. of Tropical Crop Science, Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, The
Netherlands.

APPENDIX

PRESENTATION
OF MAJOR
LAND COVER
CATEGORIES

APPENDIX

155

156

II

III

II

III

II

IV

III

III

II

II

II

II

IV

[
S

DICHOTOMOUS PHASE
MODULAR-HIERARCHICAL PHASE

Natural and semi-natural

terrestrial vegetation

1. The string of classifiers used (all classifiers are coded)

2. A standardized descriptive name
3. A unique numerical code for use in geographical information systems (GIS)

A land cover class is thus defined by:

Cultivated & managed

terrestrial areas

specific technical
attributes

environmental
attributes

Pure land cover

classifiers

APPENDIX

decreasing mapability

The hierarchical arrangement of the land cover classifiers assures a high mapability, which is geographical accurate, at the highest levels of the classification.

MODULAR-HIERARCHICAL PHASE

APPENDIX B - PRESENTATION OF MAJOR COVER CATEGORIES

157

158

MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE A11 - CULTIVATED AND MANAGED TERRESTRIAL AREAS

Level III

Level I
Level II

APPENDIX B - PRESENTATION OF MAJOR COVER CATEGORIES

MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE A12 - NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION

APPENDIX

Level II

Level III

Level I

159

160

SPECIFIC TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTE OF MAJOR LAND COVER TYPES A12 AND A24

APPENDIX B - PRESENTATION OF MAJOR COVER CATEGORIES

APPENDIX

MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE A23 - CULTIVATED AQUATIC OR REGULARLY FLOODED AREAS

Level IV

Level I

Level II

Level III

161

162

MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE A24 - NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL AQUATIC OR REGULARLY FLOODED VEGETATION

Level III

Level I

Level IV

Level II

MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE B16

BARE AREAS
Level I
Level II

APPENDIX

MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE B15

ARTIFICIAL SURFACES AND ASSOCIATED AREAS

APPENDIX B - PRESENTATION OF MAJOR COVER CATEGORIES

Level I

163

164

MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE B27

ARTIFICIAL WATERBODIES, SNOW AND ICE

[
L

MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE B28

ARTIFICIAL WATERBODIES, SNOW AND ICE

Level I

Level I
Level II

Level II

APPENDIX B - PRESENTATION OF MAJOR COVER CATEGORIES

APPENDIX

ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES

165

166

ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES

[
A

Scattered vegetation - only applicable for major land cover types of primarily
non-vegetated areas

APPENDIX

ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES

APPENDIX B - PRESENTATION OF MAJOR COVER CATEGORIES

167

168

Attributes - only applicable for herbaceous cultivated and managed terrestrial areas and cultivated aquatic or regularly flooded area(s).

ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES

[
T

FOREST WITH
EMERGENTS

FOREST WITH SHRUBS AND

EMERGENTS

MULTI-LAYERED FOREST
WITH EMERGENTS

FOREST WITH SHRUBS

MULTI-LAYERED
FOREST

MAIN
LAYER

SECOND
LAYER

THIRD
LAYER
TREES
SHRUBS
HERBACEOUS

Absent
or not considered

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

APPENDIX

SUBCLASSES MAIN STRUCTURAL DOMAIN - FOREST

APPENDIX B - PRESENTATION OF MAJOR COVER CATEGORIES

169

(SPARSE SHRUBS CAN BE PRESENT)

WOODLAND WITH
HERBACEOUS LAYER AND
EMERGENTS

(SPARSE HERBACEOUS
CAN BE PRESENT)

WOODLAND WITH
SHRUBS AND EMERGENTS

WOODLAND WITH
HERBACEOUS LAYER

WOODLAND WITH
SHRUBS

MAIN
LAYER

SECOND
LAYER

THIRD
LAYER

SUBCLASSES MAIN STRUCTURAL DOMAIN - WOODLAND

[
N

TREES
SHRUBS
HERBACEOUS

170

Absent
or not considered

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

THICKET WITH TREES AND

SHRUBS EMERGENTS

THICKET WITH
SHRUBS EMERGENTS

THICKET WITH
EMERGENTS

MAIN
LAYER
SECOND
LAYER

THIRD
LAYER
TREES
SHRUBS
HERBACEOUS

Absent
or not considered

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

APPENDIX

SUBCLASSES MAIN STRUCTURAL DOMAIN - THICKET

APPENDIX B - PRESENTATION OF MAJOR COVER CATEGORIES

171

SHRUBLAND WITH
TREES AND
SHRUBS EMERGENTS

SHRUBLAND WITH
HERBACEOUS LAYER AND
SHRUBS EMERGENTS

SHRUBLAND WITH
HERBACEOUS LAYER AND
EMERGENTS

MAIN
LAYER

SECOND
LAYER

THIRD
LAYER

SUBCLASSES MAIN STRUCTURAL DOMAIN - SHRUBLAND 1

[
N

TREES
SHRUBS
HERBACEOUS

172

Absent
or not considered

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

SHRUBLAND WITH
SHRUBS EMERGENTS

SHRUBLAND WITH
EMERGENTS

SHRUBLAND WITH
HERBACEOUS LAYER

MAIN
LAYER
SECOND
LAYER

THIRD
LAYER
TREES
SHRUBS
HERBACEOUS

Absent
or not considered

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

APPENDIX

SUBCLASSES MAIN STRUCTURAL DOMAIN - SHRUBLAND 2

APPENDIX B - PRESENTATION OF MAJOR COVER CATEGORIES

173

GRASSLAND WITH SPARSE

TREES AND SHRUBS

GRASSLAND WITH
SPARSE SHRUBS

GRASSLAND WITH
SPARSE TREES

MAIN
LAYER

SECOND
LAYER

THIRD
LAYER

SUBCLASSES MAIN STRUCTURAL DOMAIN - GRASSLAND

[
N

TREES
SHRUBS
HERBACEOUS

174

Absent
or not considered

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

Sparse

Open

Closed to open

Closed

APPENDIX

OVERVIEW OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
A T T R I B U T E S OF
EACH MAJOR LAND
COVER TYPE OF THE
CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEM

APPENDIX

175

176

A9

A10

Evergreen

Deciduous

Closed

A3

A13

Lawns

B2
B5

>30-3 m (for Trees)

>14 m

C3

C2

One Additional Crop

Multiple Crop

<0.5 m

B10

A1

Code

A11

Mosses

A18

Scattered (4-1%)

5-2 m

5-0.5 m

5-0.3 m

7-3 m

>30-3 m (for Trees)

7-2 m (for Woody)

B8

B14

B3

B7

B6

B5

B2

B1

A17

(<20-10 - 4%)
B. Height

A16

A15

A12

A21

A20

A13

Sparse (20-10 - 1%)

(40-20 - 10%)

(70-60 - 40%)

(100-40%)

Closed to Open (100-15%)

Open (70-60 - 20-10%)

Closed (> 70-60%)

A12

A10

Lichens
A. Cover

A7

Lichens/Mosses

A6

A9

Free Floating
Graminoids

A8

Rooted

14-7 m

B9

A5

B3

2-0.5 m

A2

B7

C1

Forbs

Scattered Isolated

Single Crop

Herbaceous

>14 m

B8

A4

B7

5-2 m

Shrubs

B6

II. C. Crop Combination

A3

7-3
B14

Trees

Woody

14-7 m

5-0.5 m

A. Life Form of the Main Strata

B6
5-0.3 m

PRIMARILY NON-VEGETATED

Low Density

Extraction Sites

I.

Gravel/Stones/Boulders

Bare Rock

Bare Rock a/o Coarse Frgm.

Consolidated

A. Surface aspects

B16 - BARE AREAS

A8

A7

A3

A1

Code

(scroll list with pre-defined objects)

A. Built-Up Object

A5
A6

Waste Dump Deposit

A2

A15
A16

Medium Density
Non Built Up

A14

High density

A13

A17

Scattered density
Urban Areas

A15
A16

Low Density

A14

A12

A4

A11

A10

A9

A8

A7

A3

A1

Code

Medium Density

High density

Industrial a/o Other

Non-Linear

Comm. Lines/Pipelines

Railways

Unpaved

Paved

Roads

Linear

Built Up

A. Surface Aspect

I.

B15 - ARTIFICIAL SURFACES AND ASS. AREAS

A24 - NAT. & SEMI-NAT. AQUATIC VEG.

I.

B5

Scatterred Clustered

Continuous

B. Spatial Aspect - Distribution

B1

7-2 m (for Woody)

B4

B2

Medium-Sized Field(s)

Small-Sized Field(s)

B. Height

B3

A15
A16

Scattered (4-1%)

A14

A21

A20

(<20-10 - 4%)

Sparse (20-10 - 1%)

(100-40%)

Closed to Open (100 -15%)

A13

A12

A11

A10

A9

A7

A7

A6

A5

A2

A4

A3

A1

Large-Sized Field(s)

Large-to Medium-Sized Field(s)

B1

A12

Parkland

B. Spatial Aspect - Size

A11

(40-20 - 10%)

Parks

(70-60 - 40%)

A5

A6

Non-Graminoids

Open (70-60 - 20-10%)

(> 70-60%)

Mosses

Urban Vegetated Area(s)

Graminoids

A4

A. Cover

A10

Deciduous

Herbaceous

A9

Evergreen

Lichens

Lichens/ Mosses

A7

A8

Needleleaved

Graminoids

Forbs

Herbaceous

Shrubs

Trees

Woody

Broadleaved

A2

A8

Needleleaved

Shrubs

A7

A1

Broadleaved

Trees

Code

I.

A Life Form of the Main Strata

A12 - NAT. & SEMI-NAT. TERRESTRIAL VEG.

code

I.

A. Life Form of the Main Crop

A11 - CULTIVATED & MANAGED LANDS

PRIMARILY VEGETATED

Cellular

Broadleaved

D3

Aphyllous

D5

D6

Drip Irrigation

S5

S6

S7

S8

Fruit & Nuts

Fodder Crops

Beverages & Stimulants

S4

Roots & Tubers

Pulses & Vegetables

S3

S1

Cereals (& Pseudocereals)

Food Crops

S. Crop Type

D9

Permanent Cultivation

Herbaceous

Shrubs

Trees

Woody

Second Layer Present

Second Layer Absent

F4

F5

F4

F3

F2

F1

E7

Perennial

D8

Fallow System
III. F. Stratification - Second Layer

E6

Annual

E5

E3

E4

E2

D7

Mixed (for Forbs/Graminoids)

Mixed

Semi-Deciduous

Deciduous

E4

Shifting Cultivcation

D. Cult. Practices - Cult. Time Factor

D4

Sprinkler Irrigation

D3

Irrigated

Surface Irrigation

Evergreen

D2

Post-flooding
Semi-Evergreen

E. Leaf phenology

D1

Rainfed
E1

III. D. Leaf Type

D2

Needleleaved

Less Than Three Months A Year

Herbaceous

Shrubs

Trees

Woody

Second Layer Present

Second Layer Absent

F4

F5

F4

F3

F2

F1

E7

IV. F. Stratification - Second Layer

E6

Perennial

E5

E4

E3

E2

E3

E1

D3

D2

D1

C3

C2

C5

C4

C1

B13

Annual

Mixed (for Forbs/Graminoids)

Mixed

Semi-Deciduous

Deciduous

Semi-Evergreen

Evergreen

E. Leaf Phenology

Aphyllous

Needleleaved

Waterlogged

C19

Sequential

III. D. Cultural Practices - Water Supply

D1

With Daily Variations

Persistent for Whole Day

Broadleaved

II. D. Leaf Type

C3

C5

More Than Three Months A Year

II. C. Water Seasonality

0.3-0.03 m

B12

0.8-0.3 m

B15

B4
B11

C18

Parklike Patches

C4

C2

C1

B9
B10

3-0.8 m

3 - 0.3 m

3 - 0.03 m

C17

Non-graminoids

Striped

Fragmented

Continuous

C. Spatial Distribution/Macropattern

B13

B12

0.8-0.3 m
0.3-0.03 m

B11

2-0.5 m
<0.5 m

Overlapping

C15

C16

Graminoids

B4
B15

3-0.8 m

3-0.3 m

3-0.03 m

Simulltaneous

C14

Shrubs

C19

Sequential

C13

C18

Overlapping

Trees

C8

C17

Simultaneous

C7

Herbaceous Terrestrial

Herbaceous Aquatic

C5

C6

Shrubs
Boulders
A9

A2

B2

Unsaturated

B10

B11
B12
Termite Mounds

B13
Gilgai

B. Macropattern - Soils

Salt Flat

B7

B4
Saturated

B9

Unsaturated

B3
B6

Saturated
Longitudinal Dunes

B8

Unsaturated

B5
Parabolic Dunes

Saturated

Barchans

Dunes

B1

A13

II. B. Macropattern - Sands

Very Stony (40 - 80%)

A6

Loose and Shifting Sands

A12

Very Stony (40 - 80%)

Stony (5 - 40%)

A12
A13

Stony (5 - 40%)

Bare Soil a/o Other Uncon. Mat. A5

A11

Petrogypsic

A10

Unconsolidated

Petrocalcic

A4

A15
A16

Stones

Ironpan/Laterite

Hardpans

A14

Gravel

APPENDIX

Trees

APPENDIX C - 0VERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES OF EACH MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE

177

178

Other

B4

B2

Medium-Sized Field(s)

S mall-Sized Field(s)

7-3 m

B7

Scattered Isolated

C3

Waterlogged

Closed To Open

D3

Sequential

S7

Fodder Crops

Non-Food Crops

S2

S13

S3

Cereals

Other

S1

Food Crops

S. CROP TYPE

G. Cover - Third Layer

>14 m

>30-3 m

7-2 m (for Woody)

H. Height - Third Layer

Sparse (20-10 - 5%)

Open (70-60 - 20-10%)

Closed (> 70-60%)

Herbaceous

D2

Relay Intercropping

Shrubs

D1

Permanent

III. D. Cultural Practices - Fallow period

Woody

C2

With Daily Variations

Trees

Third Layer Present

Third Layer Absent

C1

Persistent for Whole Day

II. C. Water Seasonality

0.3-0.03 m

B6

Scattered Clustered
F. Stratification - Third Layer

3-0.3 m

B5

3 - 0.03 m

< 0.5 m

2-0.5 m

5-2 m

5 - 0.3 m

Continuous

B. Spatial Distribution

B3

Large-Sized Field(s)

Large-To Medium-Sized Field(s)

B1

14-7 m

A3

Woody

B. Spatial Aspect - Size

>14 m

A2

Non-Graminoids

>30-3 m

7-2 m (for Woody)

A1

Graminoids

Code

I.

A. Life Form of the Main Crop

H. Height - Second Layer

Sparse (20-10 - 1%)

Open (70-60 - 20-10%)

Closed (> 70-60%)

Closed To Open

G. Cover - Second Layer

A23 - CULTIVATED AQUATIC AREAS

S14

S10

Wood/Timber

Other

S9

S2

S13

Industrial Crops

Non-Food Crops

G5

G2

G1

F10

F9

F8

F7

F4

F5

F4

F3

F2

F1

G12

G11

G4

G10

G9

G8

G3

G7

G6

G5

G2

G1

F10

F9

F8

F7

Non-Statistically Derived

Statistically Derived Groups

Groups of Plant Species

Most Frequent Species

Dominant Species

Single Plant Species

T. Floristic Aspect

0.3-0.03 m

3-0.3 m

3 - 0.03 m

< 0.5 m

2-0.5 m

5-2 m

5 - 0.3 m

7-3 m

14-7 m

>14 m

>30 - 3 m

7 - 2 m (for Woody)

H. Height - Second Layer

Sparse (20-10 - 1%)

Open (70-60 - 20-10%)

Closed (> 70-60%)

Closed To Open

G. Cover - Second Layer

F9

F8

F7

T6

T5

T2

T4

T3

T1

G12

G11

G4

G10

G9

G8

G3

G7

G6

G5

G2

G1

F10

A. Physical Status

B6

Surface Aspect: Sand

Brine

Very Brine

Moderately Saline

Slightly Saline

Fresh (<1 000 ppm of TDS)

V5

V4

V3

V2

V1

D2
V. SALINITY

D1
With Sediment

C2
Almost No Sediment

D Sediment Load

Shallow

Deep to Medium

C1

B6

Surface Aspect: Bare Soil

II. C Depth

B4
B5

Surface Aspect: Bare Rock

B3

Surface Aspect: Sand

Tidal Area

B4
B5

Surface Aspect: Bare Soil

B2

B9

B8

B7

Surface Aspect: Bare Rock

Non-Perennial (< 9 Months)

3-1 (months)

6-4 (months)

9-7 (months)

Perennial (> 9 Months)

B1

A7

Stationary

A3
A6

Moving

Ice

A5

A4

A1

Code

A2

Snow

Standing

Flowing

Water

B. Persistence

I.

B27 - ARTIFICIAL WATERBODIES

S11

S12

S14

Fibre Crops & Structural Mat.

Other

0.3-0.03 m

T5
T6

Statistically Derived Groups

Non-Statistically Derived

T2

Most Frequent Species

Groups of Plant Species

T3
T4

Dominant Species

Single Plant Species

T1

G12

3-0.3 m

T. FLORISTIC ASPECT

G4
G11

3 - 0.03 m

G9
G10

< 0.5 m

G8

5-2 m
2-0.5 m

G3

G7

7-3 m
5 - 0.3 m

G6

14-7 m

B6

Surface Aspect: Sand

B6

Surface Aspect: Bare Soil

Surface Aspect: Sand

C2

D2

Landform, Climate and Altitude.

Landform,

B15:
B16:
B27/B28:

V1
V2
V3
V4
V5

Very Brine
Brine
Climate and Altitude.

Altitude,

Moderately Saline
Climate,
Vegetation and Erosion.

Altitude and Salinity.

Slightly Saline

V. SALINITY

With Sediment
Altitude, Erosion and Crop Cover.
Landform, Lithology, Soil, Climate,

D1
Almost No Sediment
Landform, Lithology, Soil, Climate,

D. Sediment Load

Shallow

Altitude and Erosion.

C1
Deep to Medium

Landform, Lithology, Soil, Climate,

II. C Depth

B4
B5

Surface Aspect: Bare Rock

B3

Surface Aspect: Bare Soil

Tidal Area

B4
B5

Surface Aspect: Bare Rock

Altitude, Erosion and Crop Cover.

Landform, Lithology, Soil, Climate,

B9

3-1 (months)

B2

B8

6-4 (months)
Non-Perennial (< 9 Months)

B7

9-7 (months)

Perennial (> 9 Months)

B1

A7

Stationary

A3
A6

Moving

Ice

A5
A2

Standing
Snow

A4

Flowing

A1

Code

Fresh (<1 000 ppm of TDS)

A24:

A23:

A12:

A11:

ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES FOR EACH

Physical Status
Water

B. Persistence

I.

B28 INLAND WATERBODIES, SNOW & ICE

APPENDIX

Crops for Biological Filtration

APPENDIX C - 0VERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES OF EACH MAJOR LAND COVER TYPE

179

180

M100
M110
M111
M112
M113
M114
M115
M116
M117
M118
M119
M120
M121
M122
M123
M124
M130
M131
M132
M133
M134
M135
M136
M137
M138
M140
M141
M142
M143
M144
M145
M146
M147
M199
M200
M210
M211
M212
M213
M214
M215
M216
M217
M218
M220
M221
M222
M223

M. LITHOLOGY* Code
Igneous rock
Igneous plutonic rock
Granite
Granodiorite
Quartz diorite
Syenite
Monzonite
Diorite
Gabbro
Foidic plutonic rock
Ultramatic plutonic rock
Igneous hypabyssal rock
Aplite
Pegmatite
Porphyry
Dolerite/diabase
Igneous volcanic rock
Rhyolite
Dacite
Trachyte
Latite
Andesite
Basalt
Phonolite
Tephrite
Pyroclastic rock
Ash
Lapilli
Scoria
Tuff
Ignimbrite
Lahar
Agglomerate
Other Igneous rock
Sedimentary rock
Unconsolidated clastic sed. Rock
Clay
Silt
Sand
Gravel
Loess
Loam
Colluvium
Shells
Cons. clastic siliceous sed. Rock
Mudstone
Siltstone
Shale

M224
M225
M226
M227
M228
M229
M230
M231
M232
M233
M234
M235
M236
M237
M238
M240
M241
M242
M250
M251
M252
M253
M254
M260
M261
M262
M263
M299
M300
M310
M311
M312
M313
M320
M321
M322
M330
M331
M332
M333
M334
M335
M336
M337
M338
M399

M. LITHOLOGY - AGE GEOL PARENT MAT

Quartenary
M400
Holocene
M410
Pleistocene
M420
Late Pleistocene
M421
Middle Pleistocene
M422
Early Pleistocene
M423

Quartzararenite
Litihic arenite
Feldspathice arenite/arkose
Graywacke
Conglomerate
Breccia
Calcareous rock
Marl
Calcilutite
Calcarenite
Calcirudite
Algal/reefal limestone
Travertine
Tufa
Dolomite
Evaporite
Gypsum
Halite
Organic rock
Peat
Lignite
Coal
Tar
Residual rock
Laterite
Bauxite
Kaolin
Other Sedimentary rock
Metamorphic rock
Contact metamorphic rock
Hornfels
Spotted slate
Skarn
Cataclastic metamorphic rock
Cataclastic breccia
Mylonite
Regional-metamorphic rock
Slate
Schist
Gneiss
Migmatite
Granulite
Eclogite
Quartzite
Marble
Other metamorphic rock

O. CLIMATE*
Thermal Climate:
Tropics
Subtropics - Summer rainfall
Subtropics - Winter Rainfall
Temperate Oceanic
Temperate Continental
Boreal Oceanic
Boreal Continental
Polar Arctic
Moisture Determined LGP:
Hyperarid
Arid
Dry Semi-Arid
Moisture Semi-Arid
Subhumid
Humid
Perhumid

N. SOIL - SUBSURFACE ASPECT

FAOs Major Soil Groups*

N. SOIL - SURFACE ASPECT

Bare Rock
Soil Surface
Stony (5 - 40%)
Very Stony (40 - 80%)
Loose and Shifting Sands
Stony (5 - 40%)
With Dunes
Hardpans
Ironpan/Laterite
(petro)Calcic
PetroGypsic
Hardened Plinthite

Tertiary
Piocene
Miocene
Oligocene
Eocene
Paleocene
Mesozoic
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Paleozoic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Precambrian

ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES

O9
O10
O11
O12
O13
O14
O15

O1
O2
O3
O4
O5
O6
O7
O8

Code

N12

Code
N1
N2
N5
N6
N3
N5
N7
N4
N8
N9
N10
N11

M500
M510
M520
M530
M540
M550
M600
M610
M620
M630
M700
M710
M720
M730
M740
M750
M760
M800

Code
P1
P5
P6
P7
P2
P8
P9
P10
P3
P11
P12
P13
P4
P14
P15
P16

W. CROP COVER/DENSITY
Permanent Life Forms:
Closed Cover > (70-60%)
Closed Cover (70-60) - (20-10)%
Sparse Cover <(20-10)%
Temporary Life Forms:
High Crop Density (> 60%)
Medium Crop Density (60 - 30%)
Low Crop Density (30 - 15%)

W4
W5
W6

W1
W2
W3

U1
U2
U3
U5
U6
U4
U7
U8

U. VEGETATION
Scattered Vegetation Present
Woody
Herbaceous
Forbs
Graminoids
Lichens/Mosses
Lichens
Mosses

R1
R2
R3

R. WATER QUALITY
Fresh Water
Brackish Water
Saline Water

Q1
Q2
Q3
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q4
Q5

Q. EROSION
No Visible Erosion
Visible Evidence of Erosion
Water Erosion
Sheet
Rill
Gully
Wind Erosion
Mass Movement

P. ALTITUDE*
< 50 - 300 m
< 50 m
50 - 100 m
100 - 300 m
300 - 1500 m
300 - 600 m
600 - 1000 m
1000 - 1500 m
1500 - 3000 m
1500 - 2000 m
2000 - 2500 m
2500 - 3000 m
3000 - > 5000 m
3000 - 3500 m
3500 - 5000 m
> 5000 m

*REFERENCES: Landform: UNEP/ISSS/ISRIC/FAO, 1995. - Lithology: provided by S. B. Kroonenberg, 1998. - Climate: De Pauw, Nachtergaele and Antoine, 1996. - Soils: FAO/Unesco/ISRIC, 1990; FAO, 1993

Code
L1
L2
L3
L4

L. LANDFORM*
Level Land
Sloping Land
Steep Land
Land With Composite Landforms

APPENDIX

TRANSLATOR
MODULE
COMPARISON
AND SIMILARITY
ASSESSMENT
VALUES

APPENDIX

181

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[
182

Comparison of classifiers is based first on the comparability of the classifier, followed by

comparison of the selected options of the specific classifier. Thus, Life Form of vegetation
can be compared with Life Form of cultivated areas. If the option selected for the dominant
Life Form of vegetation is Trees and a Tree Crop has been specified for the cultivated areas,
the comparison will generate 100 percent similarity. If a Shrub Crop has been specified, the
comparison will result in 0 percent similarity. However, not all comparisons of classifiers
will generate 100 percent similarity or 0 percent similarity. There are also a number of cases
where the value is set to 50 percent. These cases are discussed below.
Some classifier options contain different levels presented in different rows. The option
of the general level can be compared with the options of the more detailed level, but such
a comparison will generate a similarity of 50 percent.
Some classifier options contain two characteristics (e.g. the Life Form options
Herbaceous Terrestrial and Herbaceous Aquatic in A11 and A23). When comparing such
options, one might wonder which characteristic is being compared and if both
characteristics have the same weight in the comparison. In principle, both characteristics
are being compared with equal weights (e.g. in the example above, Herbaceous Terrestrial
compared with A12 Herbaceous will generate a 100 percent similarity value because they
contain the same life form as well as an identical environment, whereas comparison with
A24 Herbaceous will generate 50 percent because of the different environments in which
the herbaceous life form is found).
Some classifier options cannot be compared because they are linked to dominance (e.g. in
A12 and A24, the life forms are linked to description of a certain vegetation layer, and in
A11 and A23 the life forms are linked to the description in relation to cover or economic
revenue). The Life Form of the main layer, that is the first layer described, cannot be
compared to a life form of a second and third layer or to a life form of an additional crop.
Vegetation stratification and crop layering cannot be compared beyond description of
the existence of a single layer. This condition is set because the occurrence of multiple
crops does not imply that these crops occur in different layers. Therefore, only the option
Single Layer can be compared with Single Crop (Monoculture).
The tables on the following pages show the similarity values of the classifiers and modifiers.

APPENDIX D - TRANSLATOR MODULE

A11

A1.
A2.
A3.
A4.
A5.

Tree Crop
Shrub Crop
Herbaceous Crop
Graminoid Crop
Non-Graminoid Crop

A12
A1.
A3.
A4.
A2.
A6.
A5.
A7.
A8.
A9.

A20.

A21.

A6.

A10.
A11.
A12.
A13.
A14.
A15.
A16.
B1.
B2.
B3.
B4.
B5.
B6.
B7.
B8.
B9.
B10
B11
B12
B13
B14
B15
C1.
C2.
C3.
C4.
C5.

A7.
A8.

A9.
A10.

A11
A13.
B1.
B2.
B3.
B4.
B5.
B6.
B7.

Urban Vegetated
Ares
Broadleaved
Needleleaved
Evergreen
Deciduous

/Parks
/Lawns
Large-to-Medium
sized Fields
Small-Sized Fields
Large-Sized Fields
Medium-Sized Fields
Continuous
Scattered Clustered
Scattered Isolated

D1.
D2.
D3.
E1.
E2.
E3.
E4.
E5.
E6.
E7.

Woody
Trees
Shrubs
Herbaceous
Graminoids
Forbs
Lichens/Mosses
Linhens
Mosses

Closed To Open
100-15%
Closed to Open
100-15%
Closed
Open
65-40%
40-15%
Sparse
Sparse (15-4%)
Scattered (4-1%)
7-2 m
>30-3 m
5-0.3 m
3-0.03 m
High
Medium High
Low
High
Medium High
Dwarf
Tall
Medium Tall
Short
Medium to High
Medium to Tall
Continuous
Fragmented
Parklike
(Striped)
(Cellular)

Broadleaved
Needleleaved
Aphyllous
Evergreen
Deciduous
Mixed
SemiMixed
Perennial
Annual

A23

A1.
A2.

Graminoid
Non-Graminoid Crop

A24
A1.
A3.
A4.
A2.
A6.
A5.
A7.
A10.
A11.
A8.
A9.
A20.

A21.

A12.
A13.
A14.
A15.
A16.
A17.
A18.
B1.
B2.
B3.
B4.
B5.
B6.
B7.
B8.
B9.
B10.
B11.
B12.
B13.
B14.
B15.

B1.

D1.
D2.
D3.
E1.
E2.
E3.
E4.
E5.
E6.
E7.

B2.
B3.
B4.
B5.
B6.
B7.
C1.
C2.
C3.

C1.

Large-to-Medium
sized Fields
Small-Sized Fields
Large-Sized Fields
Medium-Sized Fields
Continuous
Scattered Clustered
Scattered Isolated
Permanently Flooded
With Daily Variations
Waterlogged Soil
Permanently Flooded

APPENDIX

Comparison of Classifiers and Modifiers (100 percent similar) Primarily Vegetated Areas

C1.
C2.
C3.
C2.
C4.

Woody
Trees
Shrubs
Herbaceous
Graminoids
Forbs
Lichens/Mosses
Lichens
Mosses
Rooted
Free Floating
Closed To Open
100-15%
Closed To Open
100-15%
Closed
Open
65-40%
40-15%
Sparse
Sparse (15-4%)
Scattered (4-1%)
7-2m
>30-3m
5-0.3m
3-0.03m
High
Medium High
Low
High
Medium High
Dwarf
Tall
Medium Tall
Short
Medium to High
Medium to Tall

Broadleaved
Needleleaved
Aphyllous
Evergreen
Deciduous
Mixed
SemiMixed
Perennial
Annual

Permanently Flooded
With Daily Variations
Waterlogged Soil
Temporarily Flooded
Persistent for
Whole Day

means that comparison is impossible

183

]
C

Comparison of Classifiers and Modifiers (100 percent similar) Primarily Vegetated Areas

C1.

C2.
C3.
C4.
C5.
C6.
C7.

C8.
C8.
C9.
C10.

C11.
C13.
C14.
C15.

A11

184

C16.

Single Crop

Multiple Crop
One Additional Crop
Two Additional
Crops
Tree Crop
(Additional Crop)
Shrub Crop
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Tree Crop
(Additional Crop)
Shrub Crop
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(additional Crop)
Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Tree Crop
(Additional Crop)
Shrub Crop
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(additional Crop)
Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)

C17. With Simultaneous

Period
C18. With Overlapping
Period
C19. Sequential

A11

D1. Rainfed Cultivation

D2. Post Flooding
Cultivation
D3. Irrigated
D4. Surface Irrigated
D5. Sprinkler Irrigated
D6. Drip Irrigated
D7. Shifting Cultivation
D8. Fallow System
D9. Permanently
Cropped

A12
F1.
F2.
F3.

Single Layer
Second and/or
Third Layer
Woody

A23

E1.
E2.

A24
F1.
F2.

One Additional Crop

Two Additional
Crops

F3.

Single Layer
Second and/or
Third Layer
Woody

F5.

Trees

F5.

Trees

F6.

Shrubs

F4.

Herbaceous

F6.

Shrubs
E4.

F4.

Herbaceous
E3.

Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)

F5.

Trees

F5.

Trees

F6.

Shrubs

F4.

Herbaceous

F6.

Shrubs
E6.

F4.

Herbaceous
E5.

Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(additional Crop)
Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)

F5.

Trees

F5.

Trees

F6.

Shrubs

F4.

Herbaceous

F6.

Shrubs
E8.

F4.

Herbaceous
E7.

F7.
F8.
F9.
F10.

Closed to Open
Closed
Open
Sparse

Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(additional Crop)
Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)

D1.

F7.
F8.
F9.
F10.

Closed to Open
Closed
Open
Sparse

Relay Intercropping

G1.
G2.
G3.
G4.
G5.
G6.
G7.
G8.
G9.
G10.
G11.
A12.
G12.

7-2 m
30-3 m
5-0.3 m
3-0.03 m
High
Medium High
Low
High
Medium High
Dwarf
Medium to Tall
Short

D2. Sequential

A23.

G1.
G2.
G3.
G4.
G5.
G6.
G7.
G8.
G9.
G10.
G11.
A24.
G12.

7-2 m
30-3 m
5-0.3 m
3-0.03 m
High
Medium High
Low
High
Medium High
Dwarf
Medium to Tall
Short

APPENDIX D - TRANSLATOR MODULE

B27

B28

A1.
A2.
A3.
A4.
A5.

Artificial Waterbodies
Artificial Snow
Artificial Ice
(Flowing)
Standing

A2.
A2.
A3.
A4.
A5.

Natural Waterbodies
Snow
Ice
(Flowing)
Standing

A6.
A7.
B1.
B2.

B3.
B4.
B5.
B7.
B8.
B9.
C1.
C2.
D1.
D2.

(Moving)
(Stationary)
Perennial
Non-Perennial

A6.
A7.
B1.
B2.
B3.
B3.
B4.
B5.
B7.
B8.
B9.
C1.
C2.
D1.
D2.

(Moving)
(Stationary)
Perennial
Non-Perennial/Seasonal
Tidal
(Surface Aspect: Bare Rock)
(Surface Aspect: Bare Soil)
(Surface Aspect: Sand)
9-7 (months)
6-4 (months)
3-1 (months)
Deep to Medium Deep
Shallow
Clear
Turbid

(Surface Aspect: Bare Rock)

(Surface Aspect: Bare Soil)
(Surface Aspect: Sand)
9-7 (months)
6-4 (months)
3-1 (months)
Deep to Medium Deep
Shallow
Clear
Turbid

APPENDIX

Comparison of Classifiers and Modifiers (100 percent similar) Primarily Non Vegetated Areas (1)

Note: (1) The major land cover types B15 and B16 cannot be compared to any of the other major land cover types

185

]
S

Comparison of Classifiers and Modifiers (50 percent similar) Primarily Vegetated Areas
A12

A11

A23

A1.
A2.
A3.

Tree Crop
Shrub Crop
Herbaceous Crop

Woody

A3.

Herbaceous

A5.

Forbs

C7.

Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)

A6.

Graminoids

E5.

A2.

Herbaceous

E7.

A4.

Graminoid Crop

A5.

Non-Graminoid Crop

C8.

A11. /Parks

Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)

E4.

A1.

Woody

E6.

A3.

Trees

E8.

A3.

Trees

A4.

Shrubs

E5.

A2.

Herbaceous

E7.

A6.

Graminoids

F3.

Woody

A12. /Parklands

C11. Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)

E3.

A13. /Lawns

A1.
A2.
E3.

A1.

A11

Tree Crop
(Additional Crop)

C6.

Shrub Crop
(Additional Crop)

C8.

Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)

F4.

Herbaceous

C9.

Tree Crop
(Additional Crop)

F3.

Woody

C5.

C12. Herbaceous
Aquatic
(Additional Crop)

E6.

E8.

C15. Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Second Additional
Crop)

C12. Herbaceous Aquatic

(Additional Crop)

F4.

E5.

C13. Tree Crop (Second

Additional Crop)

F3.

E4.

Herbaceous

Woody

C16. Herbaceous
Aquatic (Second
Additional Crop)

E6.

E8.

C14. Shrub Crop (Second

Additional Crop)

186

E3.

E7.

C10. Shrub Crop

(Additional Crop)

C16. Herbaceous Aquatic

(Second Additional
Crop)

E4.

F4.

Herbaceous

Graminoid Crop
Non-Graminoid Crop
Herbaceous
Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Aquatic (Second
Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial (Second
Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Aquatic (Second
Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial (Second
Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Aquatic (Second
Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial (Second
Additional Crop)

APPENDIX D - TRANSLATOR MODULE

A11
A1.
A2.
A3.

Tree Crop
Shrub Crop
Herbaceous Crop

A4.

Graminoid Crop

A5.
C5.

Non-Graminoid Crop
Tree Crop
(Additional Crop)
Shrub Crop
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Tree Crop
(Additional Crop)
Shrub Crop
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Tree Crop
(Second Additional
Crop)
Shrub Crop
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial (Second
Additional Crop)

C6.
C7.

C9.
C10.
C11.

C13.

C14.
C15.

A24

A12

APPENDIX

Comparison of Classifiers and Modifiers (50 percent similar) (continued)

Primarily Vegetated Areas
A23

A1.

Woody

A2.

Herbaceous

A1.
A2.
E3.

A5.

Forbs

F4.

Herbaceous

A6.

Graminoids

E5.

A2.

Herbaceous

E7.

F3.

Woody

F4.

Herbaceous

F3.

Woody

F4.

Herbaceous

F3.

Woody

F4.

Herbaceous

Graminoid Crop
Non-Graminoid Crop
Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous Aquatic
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous Aquatic
(Second Additional
Crop)

Comparison of Classifiers and Modifiers (50 percent similar) continued)

Primarily Vegetated Areas
A11
A1.

Woody

A3.

Trees

A4.

Shrubs

A2.

Herbaceous

A5.
A6.
A7.

Forbs
Graminoids
Lichens/Mosses

A8.
A9.

Lichens
Mosses

A24
A3.
A4.
A1.

Trees
Shrubs
Woody

A12
A1.
A2.
E4.

E6.

A5.

Forbs

A6.
A2.

Graminoids
Herbaceous

E8.

Graminoid Crop
Non-Graminoid Crop
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial
(Additional Crop)
Herbaceous
Terrestrial (Second
Additional Crop)

A23
A2.

Herbaceous Crop

F4.

Herbaceous

A10. Lichens
A11. Mosses
A7. Lichens/Mosses

187

APPENDIX

LCCS SOFTWARE
APPLICATION
DEVELOPMENT TEAMS
FOR VERSIONS 1 AND 2

APPENDIX

189

Team member

Responsibility

Version

LCCS1

Antonio Di Gregorio

Overall concept development

Rules and conditions for (Semi-)Natural Vegetation
Design of software modules and functions
Overall coordination of implementation
Anomaly tracking and resolution.

LCCS SOFTWARE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT TEAMS

Additional concept development

Coordination of implementation
Classifier database development and updating
Standard Descriptions database updating
Compilation of Help files
Anomaly tracking and resolution

Louisa J.M. Jansen

Upgrading software application to Access 97

Anomaly tracking and resolution

Antonio Martucci

Programming Field Data Module1

Programming Translator Module1
Creation of modifier databases

Wolfgang Prante

Programming Classification Module1

Programming Legend Module1

Keya Choudhury

Compilation and editing of Help terminology

Creation of Standard Descriptions

Luca Morandini

LCCS2

Antonio Di Gregorio

Enrico Botte

Classifier database development and updating

Standard Descriptions database updating
Coordination of implementation
Anomaly tracking and resolution

Andrea Bellancini

Programming2 of all the new functions

Simone Maffei,
Davide De Marchi

Programming supervisors

1. Programmed in Access.
2. Programmed in Microsoft Visual Basic version 6.0.

190

Overall concept development

Design of new software modules and functions
Overall coordination of implementation
Anomaly tracking and resolution.

FAO ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES SERIES

1. Africover: Specifications for geometry and cartography, 2000 (E)

2. Terrestrial Carbon Observation: The Ottawa assessment of requirements, status and next
steps, 2002 (E)
3. Terrestrial Carbon Observation: The Rio de Janeiro recommendations for terrestrial and
atmospheric measurements, 2002 (E)
4. Organic agriculture: Environment and food security, 2003 (E and S)
5. Terrestrial Carbon Observation: The Frascati report on in situ carbon data and
information, 2002 (E)
6. The Clean Development Mechanism: Implications for energy and sustainable agriculture
and rural development projects, 2003 (E)*
7. The application of a spatial regression model to the analysis and mapping of poverty,
2003 (E)
8. Land Cover Classification System (LCCS), version 2, 2005 (E)
9. Coastal GTOS. Strategic design and phase 1 implementation plan, 2005 (E)
10. Frost Protection: fundamentals, practice and economics- Volume I and II + CD, 2005 (E)

Availability: March 2005

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developed based on the experience gained

from numerous United Nations, international

created for mapping exercises, independent of the scale

and country mapping activities, including the

or means used to map. It enables a comparison of land

Africover East Africa Project and the Global Land

cover classes regardless of data source, thematic

Cover 2000 initiative. The new version of the LCCS

discipline or country. The LCCS method enhances the

software is fully compatible with the previous version,

standardization process and minimizes the problem of

thus ensuring continuity of past and future LCCS

dealing with a very large number of pre-defined classes.

mapping activities.

Classification concepts and

user manual
Software version 2

Contact:
GLCN contact: [email protected] SDRN contact: [email protected]

Software version 2

Additional information:
www.glcn.org

Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN) publications

www.fao.org/sd/enpub1_en.htm

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

www.fao.org

ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

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to meet specific user requirements, and

the LCCS software, which has been

Land Cover
Classification
System

[ GEO-SPATIAL DATA AND INFORMATION ]

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IN

OR
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ized a priori classification system designed

The manual accompanies version 2 of

Land Cover Classification System

(LCCS) is a comprehensive, standard-

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The Land Cover Classification System

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

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