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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
Known issues are described on pages 3 and 4 of the User Guide.
The following changes and improvements were implemented for inputs to MODIS Version 6 land cover products: (1) Updated to include the improvements and changes made for the MCD12Q1 Version 6 data product, (2) Version 6 does not include a Majority Land Cover Type Quality Control (QC) Layer, (3) 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, (4) 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, and (5) 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.
Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC)
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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)
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.
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Citation Copied
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: 2026-06-04
Friedl, Mark, and Damien Sulla-Menashe. “MCD12C1 MODIS/Terra+Aqua Land Cover Type Yearly L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V006.” NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center, 2015. doi:10.5067/MODIS/MCD12C1.006. Date Accessed: 2026-06-04
Friedl, Mark, and Damien Sulla-Menashe. MCD12C1 MODIS/Terra+Aqua Land Cover Type Yearly L3 Global 0.05Deg CMG V006. NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center, 2015, doi:10.5067/MODIS/MCD12C1.006. Date Accessed: 2026-06-04
File Naming Convention
MCD12C1.A2003001.006.2018053185458.hdf
The file name begins with the Product Short Name (MCD12C1) followed by the Julian Date of Acquisition formatted as AYYYYDDD (A2003001), the Version of the data collection (006), the Julian Date and Time of Production designated as YYYYDDDHHMMSS (2018053185458), and the Data Format (hdf).
Zhu, Kai, Song, Yiluan, Lesage, Josephine C., Luong, Justin C., Bartolome, James W., Chiariello, Nona R., Dudney, Joan, Field, Christopher B., Hallett, Lauren M., Hammond, Michele, Harrison, Susan P., Hayes, Grey F., Hobbs, Richard J., Holl, Karen D., Hopkinson, Peter, Larios, Loralee, Loik, Michael E., Prugh, Laura R.
Balch, Jennifer K., Iglesias, Virginia, Mahood, Adam L., Cook, Maxwell C., Amaral, Cibele, DeCastro, Amy, Leyk, Stefan, McIntosh, Tyler L., Nagy, R. Chelsea, St. Denis, Lise, Tuff, Ty, Verleye, Erick, Williams, A. Park, Kolden, Crystal A.