Algorithm Technical Basis Document (ATBD)

This document summarizes the design process, definitions, and algorithmic implementation conducted by the Joint Research Centre to support the development and implementation of a global analysis of forest attribute layers. The analysis scheme and data products were designed to be hosted and visualised on the EU Observatory on Deforestation and Forest Degradation. The spatial forest coverage is derived from the Copernicus Global Land Cover dataset for the assessment year 2019 (accessed in February 2022). We outline the procedure of pre-processing the original Copernicus data segments into a continuous global forest mask, which is compliant with the FAO forest definition. This forest mask is then analysed for various forest attribute layers summarising the spatial status of forest cover and its degree of forest degradation. The analysis is conducted in a dual approach: first, using the original WGS84 map projection for explanatory and user-friendly visualisation on web portals and second, in equal area projection allowing statistical evaluation of the forest attribute layers. Spatially explicit maps and statistical summaries are derived for a total of 278 reporting units, comprised of 255 countries, 21 global ecological zones, the EU27, and the full global coverage.

VOGT Peter;  CAUDULLO Giovanni; 

2022-09-28

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC130494

978-92-76-56423-2 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 31200 EN,    OP KJ-NA-31-200-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC130494,   

10.2760/41048 (online),