Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) Regional Land Cover Data and Change Data

The NOAA Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) produces national standardized land cover and change products for the coastal regions of the U.S. C-CAP products inventory coastal intertidal areas, wetlands, and adjacent uplands with the goal of monitoring changes in these habitats, on a one-to-five year repeat cycle. The timeframe for this metadata is reported as 1985 - 2010-Era, but the actual dates of the Landsat imagery used to create the land cover may have been acquired a few years before or after each era. These maps are developed utilizing Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery, and can be used to track changes in the landscape through time. This trend information gives important feedback to managers on the success or failure of management policies and programs and aid in developing a scientific understanding of the Earth system and its response to natural and human-induced changes. This understanding allows for the prediction of impacts due to these changes and the assessment of their cumulative effects, helping coastal resource managers make more informed regional decisions. NOAA C-CAP is a contributing member to the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics consortium and C-CAP products are included as the coastal expression of land cover within the National Land Cover Database.

C-CAP is dedicated to the development, distribution, and application of land cover and change data for the coastal regions of the U.S. This effort is being conducted in close coordination with state coastal management agencies, the interagency Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) consortium, and the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001 effort.

10849

Attributes for this product are as follows: 0 Background 1 Unclassified (Cloud, Shadow, etc) 2 High Intensity Developed 3 Medium Intensity Developed 4 Low Intensity Developed 5 Developed Open Space 6 Cultivated Land 7 Pasture/Hay 8 Grassland 9 Deciduous Forest 10 Evergreen Forest 11 Mixed Forest 12 Scrub/Shrub 13 Palustrine Forested Wetland 14 Palustrine Scrub/Shrub Wetland 15 Palustrine Emergent Wetland 16 Estuarine Forested Wetland 17 Estuarine Scrub/Shrub Wetland 18 Estuarine Emergent Wetland 19 Unconsolidated Shore 20 Bare Land 21 Open Water 22 Palustrine Aquatic Bed 23 Estuarine Aquatic Bed 24 Tundra 25 Snow/Ice

5 years, or as needed

Users must assume responsibility to determine the appropriate use of these data. DATA SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR LEGALLY BINDING APPLICATIONS.

None

Data set is not for use in litigation. While efforts have been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable, NOAA, cannot assume liability for any damages, or misrepresentations, caused by any inaccuracies in the data. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.