Temperate Forest Monitoring from 2000 to 2005
Biome boundary
(temperatebiome.zip 101 KB)
The Temperate biome was delineated using the World Wildlife Fund terrestrial ecoregions map. This map was modified to exclude ecoregions of temperate coniferous and mixed forests characterized by presence of winter snow cover. These ecoregions were included in to boreal biome. For the purpose of the sampling analysis, the biome was partitioned into a sampling frame consisting of square blocks 18.5 km per side. The shapefile contains the sampling frame boundary for the biome.
Data format: ESRI shape
Projection: Lat/Long
MODIS-derived data
MODIS data alone are inadequate for accurate change area estimation because most forest clearing occurs at sub-MODIS pixel scales. For forest cover and forest cover loss area calculation please use the calibrated products at 18.5 km resolution.
Tree canopy density product
(temperate_vcf_500m.zip 46.5 MB)
The MODIS-based Vegetation Continuous Field (VCF) layers provide estimates of global and regional vegetation cover for the study of biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem assessment, and land management. The VCF product depicts global sub-pixel estimates of vegetative components (tree cover, herbaceous cover, and bare cover) at 500m. The current dataset is a subset of the year 2000 VCF Collection 4 tree canopy cover layer for the temperate biome.
Data format: GeoTiff. 8-bit unsigned integer data.
Pixel size: 463.3127m.
Projection: Sinusoidal.
Forest cover loss map (2000-2005)
(temperate_change_500m.zip 8.9 MB)
Biome-wide forest cover loss hotspot maps were created using annual MODIS imagery from 2000 to 2005. The regression tree algorithm related forest cover loss training data to the MODIS inputs, resulting in a per pixel 5-year change fraction map.
Data format: GeoTiff. 8-bit unsigned integer data.
Pixel size: 463.3127m.
Projection: Sinusoidal.
Landsat-calibrated data
Forest cover for year 2000
(temperate_forest_20km.zip 48 KB)
This dataset represents forest cover extent for the biome for year 2000. Forests were defined as areas with tree canopy cover greater than 25%. The Landsat-analyzed sample block classification results were used to calibrate biome-wide MODIS-derived forest extent. The relationship between Landsat-based forest cover area and mean VCF tree canopy density per sample block 18.5 km per side was used to derive forest extent for year 2000. A simple linear regression (no intercept) model was used with mean VCF tree canopy density per block as the independent variable.
Data format: GeoTiff. 32-bit data.
Pixel size: 18532.508m.
Projection: Sinusoidal.
Forest cover loss 2000-2005
(temperate_change_20km.zip 75 KB)
This dataset represents 2000-2005 gross forest cover loss for the biome. A separate regression estimator (i.e. separate regression models and parameter estimates allowed for each stratum) and post-stratification were employed to estimate Landsat-calibrated forest cover loss area. For sample blocks with intensive change a simple linear regression model was applied using the proportion of area within the sample block classified as MODIS-derived forest loss as the auxiliary variable. For low-change blocks post-stratification based on VCF tree canopy cover was implemented to partition blocks into areas of nearly zero change and areas of some change. The forest cover loss area estimates were then constructed from the sample mean Landsat-derived clearing within post-strata.
Data format: GeoTiff. 32-bit data.
Pixel size: 18532.508m.
Projection: Sinusoidal.
Provided MODIS-derived data are available for use for valid scientific, conservation, and educational purposes as long as proper citations are used. We ask that you credit the Temperate Forest Monitoring data as follows:
Potapov P., Hansen M. C., Stehman S. V., Pittman K., Turubanova S. (2009) Gross forest cover loss in temperate forests: Biome-wide monitoring results using moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer and Landsat data. Journal of Apllied Remote Sensing, 3, 1-23 [DOI: 10.1117/1.3283904].
We ask that you credit the Vegetation Continuous Fields data as follows:
Hansen, M., DeFries R.S., Townshend J.R.G., Carroll M., Dimiceli C., Sohlberg R.A. (2003) Global Percent Tree Cover at a Spatial Resolution of 500 Meters: First Results of the MODIS Vegetation Continuous Fields Algorithm. Earth Interactions, Vol 7, No 10, pp 1-15.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Matthew Hansen
Department of Geographical Sciences - UMD
Phone: (301) 405-9714
mhansen@umd.edu
Dr. Peter Potapov
Department of Geographical Sciences - UMD
Phone: (301) 405-2129
potapov@umd.edu
