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Description

The MCD12C1 Version 6 data product was decommissioned on July 31, 2023. Users are encouraged to use the MCD12C1 Version 6.1 data product.

The Terra and Aqua combined Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Land Cover Climate Modeling Grid (CMG) (MCD12C1) Version 6 data product provides a spatially aggregated and reprojected version of the tiled MCD12Q1 Version 6 data product. Maps of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), University of Maryland (UMD), and Leaf Area Index (LAI) classification schemes are provided at yearly intervals at 0.05 degree (5,600 meter) spatial resolution for the entire globe from 2001 to 2020. Additionally, sub-pixel proportions of each land cover class in each 0.05 degree pixel is provided along with the aggregated quality assessment information for each of the three land classification schemes.

Provided in each MCD12C1 Version 6 Hierarchical Data Format 4 (HDF4) file are layers for Majority Land Cover Type 1-3, Majority Land Cover Type 1-3 Assessment, and Majority Land Cover Type 1-3 Percent.

Known Issues

Improvements/Changes from Previous Version

  • Updated to include the improvements and changes made for the MCD12Q1 Version 6 data product.
  • Version 6 does not include a Majority Land Cover Type Quality Control (QC) Layer.
  • Land_Cover_Type_Percent_1, Land_Cover_Type_Percent_2, Land_Cover_Type_Percent_3 layers have up to 17 dimensions and include the sub-pixel proportions of the IGBP, UMD, and LAI classes in each 0.05 degree pixel.
  • The IGBP classification scheme legend used differs from the legend used for the MCD12Q1 Version 6 data product and can be found on page 16 of the User Guide.
  • The data product should not be used to determine post-classification land cover change between years due to the uncertainty in the land cover labels for any one year. More information can be found on page 2 of the User Guide.

Product Summary

Platforms
Aqua,
Terra
Instruments
MODIS
Spatial Extent
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180
Spatial Resolution
5600 Meters x 5600 Meters
Geographic Region
GLOBAL
Coordinate System
CARTESIAN
Granule Spatial Representation
CARTESIAN
Temporal Extent
2001-01-01 to 2020-12-31
Temporal Resolution
1 Year
Data Partner
Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC)
MODIS Adaptive Processing System, Terrestrial Information Systems Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA (NASA/GSFC/SED/ESD/TISL/MODAPS)
Concept ID
c2763289440-lpcloud
Data State
DEPRECATED
Processing Level
3
Published
Updated

Citation

Citation is critically important for dataset documentation and discovery. This dataset is openly shared, without restriction, in accordance with the EOSDIS Data Use and Citation Guidance.

Copy Citation

Friedl, M., & Sulla-Menashe, D. (2015). MCD12C1 MODIS/Terra+Aqua Land Cover Type Yearly L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V006 [Data set]. NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD12C1.006 Date Accessed: 2025-06-24

Data Center Citation

Mark Friedl, Damien Sulla-Menashe. 2018. MODIS/Terra+Aqua Land Cover Type Yearly L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V006. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA: NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD12C1.006.

Documents

ALGORITHM THEORETICAL BASIS DOCUMENT (ATBD) The ATBD provides physical theory and mathematical procedures for the calculations used to produce the data products.
PRODUCT QUALITY ASSESSMENT The LDOPE Land Product Quality Assessment website provides known issues, maneuvers, and product quality of the land products.
USER'S GUIDE The technical information in the User's Guide enables users to interpret and use the data products.

Learning Resources

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