Period: 2015
Sensor: Sentinel 2A, Sentinel 1A and 2B, Landsat 8 OLI
Resolutions: 20m
Extent: Pan-European
Data can be accessed here.
Algorithm description: HRL2015 was produced by combining optical and SAR data. Dense time series of these datasets for 2015 (+/- 2015) were used and image objects derived from multi-temproal optical EO data were used as training datasets. Maps derived from both datasets are combined through rule-based evaluation method. HRL2012/2015 layers on imperviousness, tree cover density and permanent water bodies were used to improve classification.
2012 version of Copernicus HRL product only comprised of permanent grassland cover. In 2015 version, grasslands have further been classified into managed grassland, semi-natural grassland, natural grassy vegetation. Grasslands are defined as herbaceous vegetation with at least 30% ground cover of which at least 30% are graminoid species (such as Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae). It can include Lichens and mosses and ferns. It can also include scattered trees and shrubs provided their cover doesn’t exceed 10%. It doesn’t include: Peat, Reed beds, helophytes, tall forbs, fern and shrub dominant vegetation, rice field, Tundras dominated by shrubs and lichens and grassland on fresh wood clearings.
Accuracy: No published literature is available about verification and hence limitations of the product.
Reference: Langanke, T. Copernicus Land Monitoring Service – High Resolution Layer Grassland: Product Specifications. 1–18 (2017).