Period: 2015, 2016, 2017

Sensor: Sentinel 1 C-band SAR and Sentinel 2 (from 2016)

Frequency: Yearly (made available in October each year, oilseed rape maps in August each year)

Resolutions: vector format (ESRI shape file), minimum mapping unit 2ha.

Extent: UK

Data can be accessed here. (licence agreement applies)

Algorithm description: These maps have been developed by Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) in collaboration with Remote Sensing Applications Consultants Ltd. The mapping procedure follows UK Landcover map parcel framework. The parcels are further divided into cropping units based on crop types. Algorithm uses time series of Sentinel 1 and 2 data as training datasets.

Accuracy: Following figures for overall accuracy of 2015 map are available from CEH – Oilseed rape: 97%; Winter wheat/winter barley/spring barley: 90%; Field beans/Sugar beet/Potatoes/Maize: 80%; Improved Grass: 95%.

Limitations:

  • Reduced accuracy in 2015 maps were associated with the errors in LCM2007 land cover map used as input. Efforts have been done in the next versions to improvise the land cover parcels using ordnance survey data.
  • Crop type confusion was evident between spring barley and grass in 2015 map. In next versions Sentinel 2 data have been used to rectify this issue.
  • No information is available about accuracy assessment of 2016, 2017 maps.