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Researchers Released Historic Global Land Cover Dataset

A new 60-meter resolution dataset maps global land cover for 1975 and 1980.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Geography

Isometric editorial illustration of a multi-dimensional topographical land relief model, representing a global land cover dataset.
Researchers have published the GLC_FCS60 dataset, a high-resolution land cover record mapping global environmental changes specifically for the years 1975 and 1980. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Scientists have released the GLC_FCS60 dataset, providing the first detailed look at global land cover for 1975 and 1980. The project addresses a long-standing scarcity of land cover information from the years preceding 1985.

Why it matters

Global land cover data prior to 1985 has been historically limited due to early satellite observation constraints. This new baseline allows researchers to track land use and environmental changes over a significantly longer timeframe.

The dataset utilizes a 60-meter resolution derived from Landsat Multispectral Scanner observations. The team verified findings using 71,983 validation samples processed via the Google Earth Engine platform.

The details

Researchers employed locally adaptive classification models and an improved change detection method with adaptive thresholding to process the early satellite data. The resulting dataset provides a standardized, high-resolution record that facilitates more accurate historical environmental mapping.

Timeline

  1. The dataset covers land cover conditions as they were in 1975.

  2. The dataset includes land cover data for the year 1980.

  3. The GLC_FCS60 dataset was officially published on September 28, 2026.

The Big Picture

This research follows a pattern set by modern geographic projects that utilize the Google Earth Engine platform to synthesize massive archives of satellite imagery. By standardizing historical observations, the study bridges a critical gap in longitudinal environmental monitoring.

Access to this granular historical data will likely enhance the accuracy of future climate change projections and land-management policies. Scientists can use these findings to better understand human impact on the planet over the last five decades.

The takeaway

The release of the GLC_FCS60 dataset provides a vital missing link for environmental scientists studying land transformation. Researchers can now utilize these 1975 and 1980 baselines to refine models predicting the future consequences of current land use.

Further reading

Learn more about advancements in Geography in our dedicated research section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Nature.

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