MODIS/Terra+Aqua Land Cover Type Yearly L3 Global 500m SIN Grid V006
The MCD12Q1 Version 6 data product was decommissioned on July 31, 2023. Users are encouraged to use the [MCD12Q1 Version 6.1](https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD12Q1.061) data product.The Terra and Aqua combined Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Land Cover Type (MCD12Q1) Version 6 data product provides global land cover types at yearly intervals (2001-2020), derived from six different classification schemes listed in the User Guide. The MCD12Q1 Version 6 data product is derived using supervised classifications of MODIS Terra and Aqua reflectance data. The supervised classifications then undergo additional post-processing that incorporate prior knowledge and ancillary information to further refine specific classes.Layers for Land Cover Type 1-5, Land Cover Property 1-3, Land Cover Property Assessment 1-3, Land Cover Quality Control (QC), and a Land Water Mask are provided in each MCD12Q1 Version 6 Hierarchical Data Format 4 (HDF4) file.Known Issues* The "units" field is missing in the metadata, however, this information can be found in the table above or on page 5 of the User Guide.* Known issues are described on pages 3 and 4 of the User Guide.* For complete information about known issues please refer to the [MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website](https://landweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/knownissue?sensor=MODIS&sat=TerraAqua&as=6).Improvements/Changes from Previous Version* Version 5 used five classification schemes whereas Version 6 uses six classification schemes, including an entirely new classification scheme based on the Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).* New gap-filled spectro-temporal features developed by applying smoothing splines to the Nadir Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF)-Adjusted Reflectance (NBAR) time series. This change results in significant changes between land cover classifications in Version 5 and Version 6 data.* Algorithm used in Version 6 includes a post-processing Hidden Markov Model (HMM) that reduces spurious year-to-year variation in class labels.* Algorithm refinements were implemented in upstream MODIS data used as inputs, such as the cloud mask, surface reflectance, and NBAR data products.* The value of "Water" in the IGBP classification scheme has changed from "0" to "17."* The data product should not be used to determine post-classification land cover change between years due to the uncertainty in the land cover labels for any one year. More information can be found on page 2 of the User Guide.* File size is smaller due to HDF internal compression.
Complete Metadata
| @type | dcat:Dataset |
|---|---|
| accessLevel | public |
| bureauCode |
[
"026:00"
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|
| contactPoint |
{
"fn": "Earthdata Forum",
"@type": "vcard:Contact",
"hasEmail": "mailto:earthdata-support@nasa.gov"
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|
| description | The MCD12Q1 Version 6 data product was decommissioned on July 31, 2023. Users are encouraged to use the [MCD12Q1 Version 6.1](https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD12Q1.061) data product.The Terra and Aqua combined Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Land Cover Type (MCD12Q1) Version 6 data product provides global land cover types at yearly intervals (2001-2020), derived from six different classification schemes listed in the User Guide. The MCD12Q1 Version 6 data product is derived using supervised classifications of MODIS Terra and Aqua reflectance data. The supervised classifications then undergo additional post-processing that incorporate prior knowledge and ancillary information to further refine specific classes.Layers for Land Cover Type 1-5, Land Cover Property 1-3, Land Cover Property Assessment 1-3, Land Cover Quality Control (QC), and a Land Water Mask are provided in each MCD12Q1 Version 6 Hierarchical Data Format 4 (HDF4) file.Known Issues* The "units" field is missing in the metadata, however, this information can be found in the table above or on page 5 of the User Guide.* Known issues are described on pages 3 and 4 of the User Guide.* For complete information about known issues please refer to the [MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website](https://landweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/knownissue?sensor=MODIS&sat=TerraAqua&as=6).Improvements/Changes from Previous Version* Version 5 used five classification schemes whereas Version 6 uses six classification schemes, including an entirely new classification scheme based on the Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).* New gap-filled spectro-temporal features developed by applying smoothing splines to the Nadir Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF)-Adjusted Reflectance (NBAR) time series. This change results in significant changes between land cover classifications in Version 5 and Version 6 data.* Algorithm used in Version 6 includes a post-processing Hidden Markov Model (HMM) that reduces spurious year-to-year variation in class labels.* Algorithm refinements were implemented in upstream MODIS data used as inputs, such as the cloud mask, surface reflectance, and NBAR data products.* The value of "Water" in the IGBP classification scheme has changed from "0" to "17."* The data product should not be used to determine post-classification land cover change between years due to the uncertainty in the land cover labels for any one year. More information can be found on page 2 of the User Guide.* File size is smaller due to HDF internal compression. |
| distribution |
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|
| identifier | 10.5067/MODIS/MCD12Q1.006 |
| keyword |
[
"earth-science-land-use-land-cover-land-surface-land-use-land-cover-classification"
]
|
| landingPage | https://landweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/ |
| modified | 2026-02-17 |
| programCode |
[
"026:000"
]
|
| publisher |
{
"name": "LP DAAC;NASA/GSFC/SED/ESD/TISL/MODAPS",
"@type": "org:Organization"
}
|
| spatial |
"["CARTESIAN",[{"NorthBoundingCoordinate":90,"WestBoundingCoordinate":-180,"EastBoundingCoordinate":180,"SouthBoundingCoordinate":-90}]]"
|
| temporal | 2001-01-01/2001-01-01 |
| theme |
[
"Earth Science"
]
|
| title | MODIS/Terra+Aqua Land Cover Type Yearly L3 Global 500m SIN Grid V006 |
