A set of new maps produced by NASA is providing scientists with the highest resolution global picture ever of Earth's ecosystems and land use patterns. These land cover maps were created from a digital database of thousands of images collected between November 2000 and October 2001 from a NASA satellite.

These maps have a resolution of about half a mile, providing a clear, detailed picture of Earth's various land coverings. There are 17 different land cover types identified on the global map, including evergreen and deciduous forests, savannas and grasslands, and wetlands, as well as surfaces with little or no plant cover, such as bare ground, urban areas and permanent snow and ice.

These maps will aid scientists and policymakers involved in a wide range of research and global monitoring projects, including the management of forest resources and the computer modeling of climate interactions between land, life, and the atmosphere.