What is it?

A geospatial analysis service that combines Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and local data to map land cover and land use in Latin America and the Caribbean. Specifically designed to capture the region's unique ecological and social characteristics.

Objective

To provide accurate and up-to-date information for monitoring territorial changes, supporting sustainable planning, environmental management, biodiversity protection and the design of evidence-based public policies.

Methodology

The system uses machine learning algorithms trained on large volumes of Sentinel-2 (20 m) multispectral satellite data and regional institutional sources. The model integrates specific bioclimatic variables, generating a continuous spatial and temporal monitoring service adapted to the conditions of Latin America and the Caribbean. The proposed detection classes correspond to:

The class includes any type of area with a predominantly artificial surface. Any urban or urban-related feature is included in this class, which also includes industrial areas, landfills, and extraction sites.

This class includes herbaceous crops, timber crops (permanent orchards and plantations) and multiple or layered crops, which combine different types of soil cover.

This class includes any geographical area dominated by natural herbaceous plants (grasslands, prairies, steppes and savannas) with a cover of 10% or greater.

The class includes any geographic area dominated by natural trees with a cover of 10% or greater. It also includes areas seasonally or permanently flooded with fresh water.

The class includes any geographic area dominated by natural shrubs with a cover of 10% or greater. Herbaceous plants may also be present, at any density. Additionally, it includes areas of shrub cover permanently or regularly flooded with fresh fresh water.

This class includes any geographical area dominated by natural herbaceous vegetation (coverage of 10% or more) that is permanently or regularly flooded by fresh or brackish water (swamps, marshes, etc.).

This class includes any geographical area dominated by woody vegetation (trees and/or shrubs), with a cover of 10% or more, that is permanently or regularly flooded by salt or brackish water, located in coastal areas or in river deltas.

This class includes any geographic area where natural vegetation cover is between 2% and 10%. This includes areas that are permanently or regularly flooded.

The class includes any geographic area dominated by natural abiotic surfaces, where natural vegetation is absent or almost absent (coverage less than 2%). It also includes areas regularly flooded by fresh water, such as lake shores, riverbanks, salt flats, etc.

This class includes any geographic area covered by snow or glaciers that persist for 10 months or more.

This class includes any geographic area covered by freshwater bodies for most of the year. In some cases, the water may be frozen for part of the year (less than 10 months).