Theme Overview

Land cover dynamics and phenology datasets characterise the changes in vegetation cover due to seasonal (phenological) or long term (climatic) influences.

  • Dynamic Land Cover Dataset - MODIS

    The Dynamic Land Cover Dataset is the first nationally consistent and thematically comprehensive land cover reference for Australia. It provides a baseline for reporting on change and trends in vegetation cover and extent.

    • KEYWORDS:
      MODIS, land cover
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      CC-BY 4.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      250 m resolution; Australia
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      Single layer derived from data in the period 2000 to 2008
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      Version 2 has been developed and awaiting its release
    Data Access

  • Total Cover - MODIS, Land Condition Index (LCI) algorithm

    The Land Condition Index is an index of total vegetation cover (green and non-photosynthetic vegetation), and so is also an index of soil exposure. This product can be used for assessing and monitoring soil exposure across extensive agricultural regions at risk of soil erosion.

    • KEYWORDS:
      MODIS, ground cover, cover
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      TERN-BY-SA v1.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      500 m resolution; Australia
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      16 day composite produced every 8 days; 2000 to 2011.
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      No update planned
    Data Access

  • Fractional Cover - MODIS, Monthly Median Composites

    Vegetation fractional cover represents the exposed proportion of green, non-green, and bare cover within each pixel. This product is a composite for all Australian MODIS fractional cover images for the month.

    • KEYWORDS:
      MODIS, ground cover, cover, OEH
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      CC-BY 3.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      500 m resolution; Australia
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      1 month composite; 2000 to ongoing
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      Updated monthly, will be deprecated when the CSIRO product is fully operational
    Data Access

  • Fractional cover - MODIS, CSIRO algorithm

    Vegetation fractional cover represents the exposed proportion of green, non-green, and bare cover within each pixel. MODIS-scale ground cover provides monthly information for soil erosion and vegetation dynamics at continental and global scales. The algorithm is validated for Australia. A global product using the same algorithm is also produced.

    • KEYWORDS:
      MODIS, ground cover, cover, CSIRO
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      CC-BY 4.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      500 m resolution (Australia) and 5 km resolution (global)
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      8 day and 1 month composites; 2000 to ongoing
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      Updated fortnightly
    Data Access

  • Woody Extent and Foliage Projective Cover - SPOT, OEH algorithm, NSW

    The map of woody vegetation extent shows the location, extent, and density of foliage cover for stands of woody vegetation in NSW. The resolution is fine enough to identify small features such as trees in paddocks and scattered woodlands through to the largest expanses of forest in the State.

    • KEYWORDS:
      SPOT, cover, woody vegetation, OEH
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      CC-BY 4.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      5 m resolution; NSW
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      Single layer derived from data in the period 2011
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      One-off, no update planned
    Data Access

  • Western NSW Refugia - Collection, JRSRP algorithm

    A collection of spatial layers that can be used to identify potential refugia in the arid and semi-arid region of western NSW including: green accumulation index and green-feature classes, water count and water prevalence classes, woody extent and FPC, and topographic layers.

    • KEYWORDS:
      Landsat, water, cover, JRSRP
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      CC-BY 4.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      30 m resolution; western NSW
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      Single layers derived from data in the period 1988 to 2012
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      One-off, no update planned
    Data Access

  • Green Accumulation Index - Landsat, JRSRP algorithm, NSW

    Shows how long an area stays green following a greening event, such as grass growth in response to rainfall. The map of green accumulation for NSW was created from Landsat images from 1988 to 2012. Areas exhibiting the highest values are the areas of NSW that respond with high green cover for a long period after a greening event.

    • KEYWORDS:
      Landsat, water, cover, JRSRP
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      CC-BY 4.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      30 m resolution; NSW
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      Single layer derived from data in the period 1988 to 2012
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      One-off, no update planned
    Data Access

  • Water Count and Prevalence - Landsat, JRSRP algorithm, NSW

    Provides an indication of the presence and persistence of water in the landscape.

    • KEYWORDS:
      Landsat, water, JRSRP
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      CC-BY 4.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      30 m resolution; NSW
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      Single layer derived from data in the period 1988 to 2012
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      One-off, no update planned
    Data Access

  • Seasonal Persistent Green Cover - Landsat, JRSRP algorithm

    An estimate of persistent green cover per season.This is intended to estimate the portion of vegetation that does not completely senesce within a year, which primarily consists of woody vegetation (trees and shrubs).

    • KEYWORDS:
      Landsat, persistent, JRSRP
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      CC-BY 3.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      30 m resolution; Australia
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      At least one image per standard calendar season; 1990 to 2013
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      Updated quarterly
    Data Access

  • Seasonal cover deciles - Landsat, JRSRP algorithm

    Two fractional cover decile products for green cover and total cover. These products compare, per-pixel, the cover for a specific season of interest against the long term cover for that same season. This can be used to identify areas of low or high cover, relative to what is normal at that location at that time of year.

    • KEYWORDS:
      Landsat, cover, ground cover, JRSRP
    • DATA LICENCE
      & ACCESS RIGHTS:
      How do I attribute?
      CC-BY 3.0
    • SPATIAL COVERAGE
      & RESOLUTION:
      30 m resolution; Australia
    • TEMPORAL COVERAGE & RESOLUTION:
      At least one image per standard calendar season; 1986 to ongoing
    • PRODUCTION STATUS:
      Updated quarterly
    Data Access

Download our ‘Good Practice Guidelines’

TERN AusCover supports a nationally consistent approach to the calibration, validation, and delivery of earth observation data products. To ensure that earth observation data is useful to a wide range of users, the collection and delivery of this data needs to be accurate, precise, and use reproducible methods. To support the earth observation community in achieving a high quality and consistent approach nationwide, we’ve developed our ‘Good Practice Guidelines’ that provide advice on calibrating and validating earth observation data.
The Guidelines are provided as a free and accessible tool to anyone working in earth observation. They are also intended to be a dynamic resource that will be updated over time as new knowledge and best-practice processes emerge. Please contact us if you have feedback or questions.
The Guidelines draw upon the knowledge and experience of our national expert network, and also internationally agreed protocols and standards. We are grateful to the external and international reviewers who refined the Guidelines prior to their release.

Download the Guidelines here