Full title: LUCAS – Land Use and Land Cover 2012
Abbreviation: LUCAS 2012
Originating authority: European Commission (Eurostat)
Legal basis:
Following the adoption of Decision 1445/2000/EC by the European Parliament and of
the Council of 22/5/2000 on the application of aerial-survey and remote sensing
techniques to the agricultural statistics for 1999 to 2003, DG Agriculture and Eurostat
launched the LUCAS project: Land Use/Cover Area frame statistical Survey, in 2000.
The project has been extended in duration from 2004 to 2007 by Decision
2066/2003/EC of 10/11/2003. The coverage - EU-10 Member states - and the related
financing was laid down by Decision 786/2004/EC of 21/4/2004. From January 2008
onwards the legal basis for LUCAS has been provided through its inclusion in
Eurostat’s annual and multi-annual work program and budget. The LUCAS 2012 area
frame survey was implemented in 27 EU countries in spring-autumn 2012.
Current status: Operational
Implementation date: 2012
Limit of operational life:
Amendment dates:
Predecessor classification: LUCAS 2009
Structure: Hierarchical
Succinct description:
LUCAS classification consists of several sub-classifications. The LUCAS
microdata, collected by field surveyors, is used to obtain LUCAS statistical data,
which is compiled into tables and disseminated. Even though one derives from the
other, they are not equivalent. That is especially true for some statistical classes
such as Forest and Shrubland, where the results disseminated (that are intended
to be harmonized with FAO definitions) come from the aggregation of data from
diverse survey classes in the LUCAS microdata.
In the LUCAS classification, land cover and land use are separate concepts.
 Land cover describes the bio-geophysical cover of the earth.
 Land use is related to the socio-economic use of the land.
This clear separation (which is INSPIRE compliant) allows a richer understanding
of territorial dynamics (for example emphasising the land use aspects in areas that
are used more intensively, and focusing on land cover in those areas where the
use is rather extensive). In fact they describe quite distinct dimensions of the land
surface and should be defined separately to prevent ambiguous interpretations.
Primary and secondary land cover and land use are identified during the survey, to
better represent the complex reality.
LUCAS classification is hierarchically structured. Such a classification offers more
consistency owing to its ability to accommodate different levels of information,
starting with structured broad-level classes, which allow further systematic
subdivision into more detailed sub-classes. At each level the classes defined are
mutually exclusive. At the higher levels of the classification fewer distinction criteria
are used, whereas at the lower levels the number of distinction criteria increases.
Linked classifications:
Sub-elements of the LUCAS classification
LUCAS SU LC 2012
LUCAS SU LU 2012
LUCAS SU FT 2012
LUCAS SU LF 2012
LUCAS SU WF 2012
LUCAS ST LC 2012
LUCAS ST LU 2012
LUCAS Survey Land Cover 2012
LUCAS Survey Land Use 2012
LUCAS Survey Forest Types 2012
LUCAS Survey Linear Features 2012
LUCAS Survey Water Features 2012
LUCAS Statistics Land Cover 2012
LUCAS Statistics Land Use 2012
Usage: Land Use / Land Cover
Main statistical applications:
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/lucas/introduction
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Land_cover,_land_use_a
nd_landscape
Media through which available:
Hardcopy and electronic copy: from the responsible agency
- Statistical tables, with aggregated data are available from Eurobase.
- Microdata can be downloaded from the LUCAS dedicated section.
- Landscape photos can be ordered via e-mail or by using the online order form.
- For simple visualization, the LUCAS viewer can be used.
Languages: EN
Address of responsible agency:
European Commission
DG EUROSTAT
Unit E4 (Regional Statistics and Geographical Information Systems)
E-Mail: estat-dl-lucas@ec.europa.eu
Remarks:
Specificities of the LUCAS 2012 classification
In LUCAS, the concept of land is extended to inland water areas (lakes, rivers, coastal
areas: estuaries, lagoons). The land concept does not embrace uses below the earth’s
surface (mine deposits, subways, mushroom beds, ground levels of buildings).