Google Earth Engine Tutorial: Download ESA Land Cover Data 10m

Google Earth Engine Tutorial: Download ESA Land Cover Data 10m

Google Earth Engine (GEE) offers access to a wide range of global datasets, including the ESA Land Cover Data 10m. This dataset provides high-resolution land cover classification for the entire globe, with a resolution of 10 meters. Below is a step-by-step guide to accessing and exporting this data using GEE’s JavaScript API.

Step 1: Accessing the ESA Land Cover Dataset
Use the following code to load the ESA Land Cover dataset:


var esaLandCover = ee.Image('ESA/WorldCover/v200');


The dataset’s ID is ESA/WorldCover/v200. It includes a land cover map with 21 classes, such as water, forests, and urban areas.

Step 2: Filtering and Displaying the Data
To filter the dataset by a specific date or region, use the filterDate() or filterBounds() functions. For example:


var filtered = esaLandCover.filterDate('2020-01-01', '2020-12-31');


This filters the data for the year 2020. For visualization, you can use:


Map.addLayer(filtered, {min: 1, max: 21, palette: ['000000', 'FF0000', '00FF00', ...]}, 'ESA Land Cover');


Step 3: Exporting the Data
To export the dataset as a GeoTIFF or other format, use the Export.image.toDrive() function. Example code:


Export.image.toDrive({
image: esaLandCover,
description: 'ESA_Land_Cover_10m',
folder: 'GEE_Exports',
fileNamePrefix: 'esa_worldcover',
region: geometry, // Define your area of interest
scale: 10, // 10-meter resolution
crs: 'EPSG:4326',
maxPixels: 1e10
});


Replace geometry with your desired region. Ensure you have enough storage in your Google Drive to accommodate the file size.

Step 4: Verifying the Export
After running the script, check the Code Editor for the export task status. Once completed, download the file from your Google Drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the resolution of the ESA Land Cover Data?
  The dataset has a resolution of 10 meters per pixel.
• Is the ESA Land Cover Data free to use?
  Yes, the dataset is publicly available under a Creative Commons license.
• How long does it take to export the data?
  Export duration depends on the region size and GEE’s processing load. Small areas may take minutes, while large regions could take hours.
• Are there alternative datasets for land cover analysis in GEE?
  Yes, alternatives like USGS/NLCD or FAO/GAUL are available, but ESA’s offers higher resolution and global coverage.
• Can the dataset be used for scientific research?
  Yes, the data is suitable for scientific applications as long as you adhere to the licensing terms.
• Why is the export not working?
  Ensure your region of interest is correctly defined, and the maxPixels parameter is set appropriately. Large areas may require splitting the export into smaller regions.
• How to handle different coordinate reference systems (CRS)?
  Specify crs in the export parameters. If unsure, use EPSG:4326 (WGS84) for compatibility with most GIS software.