UN-GGIM Definition: Physical and functional coverage of the land including forests, urban areas, water bodies, and zoned land use.
SPHERE Mapping
This theme is represented as interpreted thematic partitioning rather than a standalone branch. Land cover links to Biosphere (vegetation, ecosystems) and Hydrosphere (water bodies). Land use links to Socio-Technical (zoning, planning). See INSPIRE Land Cover and Use and EarthCover.
Primary sphere: Socio-Technical Subsphere(s): socio_technical_perception_thematics
Cross-Domain Connections (Threads)
This theme bridges multiple SPHERE domains:
- Primary: Socio-Technical Perception & Thematics
- Thread → Biosphere
- Thread → Toposphere Imagery & Evidence
Harvesting Hints
Keywords: land cover, land use, LULC, CORINE, Urban Atlas, classification, thematic map. Major LULC products often have their own specific catalog entries.