Abiotic / Non-Vegetated Surfaces and Objects
Any unvegetated surfaces, either covered with man-made artificial structures or geologically natural material surfaces (with or without anthropogenic influence or impact).
Algae are a very large group of different eukaryotic plant organisms that usually live in a habitat under or close to the water surface. There are also some algae that live on solid ground like rocks or tree stems in sufficiently humid micro climate conditions. From a biological perspective it is difficult to group them systematically, which is out of scope here. They can have all kinds of different plant sizes and growth forms. For this data model it seems reasonable to distinguish between macro algae like seaweeds and kelp that have similar twig-like shape to terrestrial plants, and micro algae.
All surfaces where natural landscape has been changed by or is under influence of human construction activities by replacing natural surfaces with artificial 2D/3D constructions or abiotic artificial materials. Artificial parts of urban and rural areas, where mankind has built settlement infrastructures. Includes: Sealed areas (buildings, other constructions and sealed flat surfaces) and non-sealed areas (no buildings, artificial and unsealed). Excludes: Urban greenery may be artificial and under human maintenance and form part of settlements, but after all it is vegetation and not to be placed here but under LCC-2 Biotic Vegetation.
The rock surface is continuous except perhaps for a few cracks in the material. Some areas may be covered by shallow layers of soil or there could be isolated pockets of soil or a mixture of both. Includes: e.g. solid (closed) rock formations, fresh lava flows, quarries, mineral extraction sites, open pit mines.
Mixture of mineral and organic material that is fertile enough and capable of sustaining plant life, but being unvegetated at the moment of observation.
Any vegetated land surface, either naturally grown, semi-natural or artificially planted vegetation (e.g. crops, urban parks), with or without anthropogenic influence. Vegetation is subdivided into further components based on plant life forms i.e. woody, herbaceous, lichens/mosses.
Big mineral fragments, normally too heavy to be moved or carried a long distance by human strength, can only be moved by gravitative processes, glaciers or heavy floods, or stay on the spot till they further disintegrate. Particle size of ca. 20 to 200 cm or bigger.
Constructions above ground that are intended or used for the shelter of humans, animals, things, the production of economic goods or the delivery of services and that refer to any structure permanently constructed or erected on its site (based on INSPIRE Data Specification Buildings). Covered by roof, of human origin, made of and covered by artificial material (e.g. concrete, brick, metal) or natural material (e.g. rock, pale, soil/green roof, wood).
Perennial woody plants with shrub growth form i.e. multiple stems arising at or near the base, height usually less than 5 meters. Leaf type can be needle leaf, broadleaf or palm leaf, phenology either evergreen or deciduous, leaf surface type can be regular or sclerophyllous. Includes: wild-growing and cultivated (agricultural, ornamental) species.
Very small mineral fragments, loose and shifting silt, clay surfaces, can be moved by aeolian erosion and moderate erosive water currencies. Particle size is below 0,06 mm. Includes: e.g. clay and silt flats, beaches, river sand banks, fine volcanic ash.
Consolidated Surfaces are natural stone materials of geological origin free of vegetation cover that have continuous solid surface and are less permeable to water compared to other natural surface. As they are natural, this character is not supposed to be given for 100% of such surfaces.
The conventional buildings generally are hosting human activities (residential, industrial, commerce and services) and being of large or medium size (around 15-20 m2 and more). (INSPIRE TWG BU data specifications). Includes: e.g. dwelling houses, blocks of flats, city street blocks, stores, supermarkets, office buildings, agricultural buildings, studs, farms, industrial buildings.
Short woody plants characterized by chamaephyte (dwarf-shrub/subshrub) growth form, bearing their buds on persistent shoots close to the ground, usually no more than 25 centimeters. Applicable for stress-tolerant plant groups, making up alpine, arctic or dry ecosystems, growing on nutrient- poor, often acidic soils or rock; also for prostrate shrubs, whose branches lie upon or just above the ground usually because of strong wind. Includes: heathland/tundra species of e.g. the Calluna, Erica, Vaccinum, Salix groups, Mediterranean dwarf- shrub-form species such as Thymus, Lavander, Rosmarinus, alpine species of e.g. Rhododendron, Leontopodium.
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the true grasses, of the Poaceae (or Gramineae) family, as well as the sedges (Cyperaceae) and the rushes (Juncaceae). The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns (turf) and grassland. Sedges include many wild marsh and grassland plants, and some cultivated ones. Belonging here regardless of being wild-growing - forming natural grasslands or being component of other biomes (e.g. wetlands, forest, tundra) or cultivated – forming cropland (arable, meadow, pasture) or grass surfaces / lawn for sports / recreation.
Annual or perennial graminoid plants, naturally growing or cultivated, with potential height not exceeding 2 meter. Includes: most grass species and cereals (e.g. wheat, barley, maize, rice). Excludes: reeds and bamboo.
Hardpans are particular soil layers or surfaces that have been indurated due to chemical or physical processes. Their hardness at the surface is irreversible. They form impenetrable layers for water and/or plant roots. In the context of LCML, these layers are only described when occurring at the surface
Herbaceous Vegetation (Grass-Like, Forbs, Ferns)
Annual, biennial or perennial plants that do not have a persistent woody stem above the ground (in botanical term: herb). In contrary to woody plants, which have stems above ground that remain alive during the dormant season and grow shoots the next year from the above-ground parts, shoots of herbaceous plant die down at the end of growing season, so they regenerate themselves from tissues left above or under the ground (e.g. bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, seeds).
Persistent ice cover formed by accumulation and compaction of snow over time.
All kinds of water surfaces on the inland with no direct interference or interchange with open sea water, regardless of salinity and origin (natural or artificial).
Salt, gypsum and other substrates as a residual of water evaporative processes.
Composite organisms formed by a symbiotic relationship of a fungus and a photosynthetic partner (usually green algae or cyanobacteria).
Water (H2O) in liquid state of aggregation regardless of location, shape, salinity and origin (natural or artificial). This element applies for at least to some extend stable formations, that may or may not be permanently filled with water. Whether it is a permanent or only episodic or periodic water body can be further described with the Water Regime segment under Land Characteristics of LCH block in EAGLE matrix. Excludes: During flood events temporarily flooded areas, which are normally occupied with other Land Cover Components and which are not part of the water body bed, are not considered a water body.
Macro algae are water plants that grow in a twig-like manner with “leaves” and reach a certain size. The plants can reach several meters of length. They grow either rooted under water and/or are floating on the water surface. Seaweed or kelp are commonly used terms for macro algae.
Open sea, zone seaward of the average high tide line. May stand under tidal influence, forming intertidal flats along cost lines.
Micro algae are organisms normally bound to water in the form of uni-cellular or small multi-cellular organisms or clusters. They can also grow in terrestrial surrounding on solid surfaces like rocks or tree stems.
Mineral Fragments come to be through mainly physical disintegration of geological formations and are the result of becoming smaller and smaller along time. They are accumulated on site due to sedimentary processes or human activity. Further subdivision is made according to their particle size and constellation.
Unsorted mineral fragments ranging in size from silt-sized glacial flour to large boulders most frequently unconsolidated debris of glacial origin. Includes: e.g. any type of moraine formed by contemporary or former glaciers, any unsorted glacial sediment - till
Non-vascular plants in the land plant division Bryophyta. They are small (a few centimeters tall) herbaceous (non-woody) plants that absorb water and nutrients mainly through their leaves and but also photosynthesize.
Natural deposits are substrates that accumulate either by processes of chemical sedimentation (in combination with evaporation and crystallization) or by incomplete decay of biotic dead matter.
Any kind of surface material that remains in its natural consistence or form, either with or without anthropogenic influence. Consolidated and unconsolidated surfaces. Includes: unvegetated rocky mountainous regions, sand, quarries and extraction sites, etc.
Naturally growing or cultivated herbaceous plants that are not graminoids, basically forbs and ferns. Many arable crop types – apart from cereals – are non-graminoid plants. Includes: e.g. sunflower, vegetables, dry pulses, hop, strawberries, oil crops.
Any artificial areas which are not sealed with built-up or non-built-up constructions. Non-sealed is here seen as permeable to water. However, non-sealed in this sense can still mean that vegetation is hindered to grow. Applies for areas, where the natural surface has been replaced by artificial material, or for areas covered with natural material which has been taken from its place of origin elsewhere and used here for a man-made non-sealed (non-impervious) and non-built-up artificial surface. Includes also waste materials.
Any open areas where natural surface material has been replaced by artificial material or natural material removed from its place of origin as result of human activity forming a non-sealed (pervious) and non-built-up (basically flat) surface. Although the surface may be compacted it still can be permeable for water. This component also applies for semi-sealed (semi-pervious) surfaces like e.g. grass pavers. Applicable for: Logistic and storage areas, festive squares, unpaved roads and parking lots, unvegetated sport fields. Includes: Surfaces covered by e.g. gravel, pebble, crushed stone, compacted soil, including non-sealed gravel railway tracks, grass pavers.
Flat surfaces covered by any type of impervious material that is used for artificial surface pavements (e.g. asphalt, concrete, tarmacadam). Applicable for: e.g. paved roads, parking lots, squares, storage areas, airport runways, quays, sealed bottom pools, unvegetated cemeteries. Excludes: gravel bed of railway track. It is an artificial surface but not impervious.
Accumulated partially decayed vegetation material (mostly Sphagnum moss, but also other plants) formed in wetland conditions, where lack of oxygen slows down decomposition rate.
Middle sized mineral fragments that are moved and accumulated through erosive and sedimentary processes in geomorphological sense. The particle size ranges between 2 cm and 20 cm. e.g. mountain slope debris, gravel river banks, open pit pebble mining of fossil river banks or fluvial sediments, volcanic lapilli fields
Perennial graminoid plants potentially capable of reaching > 2 m height. Includes: common reed (Phragmites australis), high-growing bamboo species, tall bulrushes and sedges, sugar cane.
Perennial woody plants with multiple stems arising at or near the base, with an open and spreading growth form, height is usually less than 5 meters.
Small and very small mineral fragments, loose and shifting sand and grit, can be moved by aeolian erosion and moderate erosive water currencies. Particle size between 0,06 mm and 2 cm. Includes: e.g. sand dunes, sand beaches, river sand banks, volcanic ash
Sealed Artificial Surfaces and Constructions
In the EAGLE context “Sealed Surface” is to be seen as the sole part of space that is covered with artificial constructions like a building or surfaces like a pavement. Sealed Artificial Surface includes therefore all impervious and sealed surfaces that are covered mainly by buildings and artificial constructions (3D) or impervious surfaces (2D).
Snow cover that persists throughout the year, above or beyond the climatic snow line (nival zone).
The specific (significant) buildings are the buildings of significant size or height with specific physical aspect that make them usable as landmarks and required by use cases such as mapping or travel safety (INSPIRE TWG BU data specifications). Includes: e.g. stadiums, churches, towers, greenhouses (Permanent or temporal installation for crop plantation purposes, mainly with light material like either glass or plastic folia).
Self-standing man-made construction that is not considered a building and has a dimensional extension, and typically stands on mainly sealed ground. Includes: e.g. bridges, antennae, cranes, chimneys, city walls, fences, monuments, protective dikes and dams, pylons, transformers, power plants, refineries, water sewage plants, recycling facilities, waste storage facilities, bottom-sealed dumpsite, storage tanks, pipelines, solar panels.
Water surfaces of non-flowing water, mainly lakes and ponds, or cut-off river meanders. Includes: natural lakes (both freshwater and salty), fishponds, man-made reservoirs, oxbow lakes, pools with non-sealed bottom, irrigation ponds, ponds for artificial snow production, rivers dammed for hydroelectric power production, ponds for firefighting.
Water-retaining plants adapted to dry climatic conditions by storing water in their leaves, stems and roots, called succulents of fat plants. They occur in steppe and semi-desert, alpine conditions, but also in soils with high mineral (salt) content, such as seashores, salt lakes, salt marshes. Applicable for indigenous as well as for introduced species.
Perennial woody plant with single, self-supporting main stem or trunk, containing woody tissue and branching into smaller branches and shoots. Includes: Needle-leaved, broad-leaved and palm-leaved forestry species, fruit trees, ornamental trees. Excludes: Giant bamboo.
Any surface with loose mineral particles of any size range, either as outcome of natural physical sedimentation processes or human activity. Includes: E.g. mountain slope debris, glacier moraines, river pebble banks, beaches, sand dunes, gravel bed of rail way tracks.
Areas covered by waste materials. Surfaces covered by e.g. household/communal/industrial waste. Includes: construction rubble, slag, cinder, metal, wood, dead organic material.
The chemical substance of H2O, either in liquid or in frozen solid state of aggregation.
Water surfaces in fluent state. Includes: rivers, streams, creeks, channels, waterways. Special case Estuary: Estuaries is not represented within the EAGLE model as an explicit LCC. It is more a geographical term than a LCC, and moreover rather difficult to delineate. Also, how to categorize an estuary as coastal water / transitional water / marine water depends somehow on the users perspective. However, the EAGLE group suggests to describe an estuary with LCC water course in combination with water characteristics (salinity, tidal influence). Basically, the water course is the primary source and reason for the existence of an estuary. Therefore it is considered reasonable to use LCC water course.
The distinction of woody vegetation into broad leaved plants, needle leaved plants and palm leaf plants can be done by combination with an attribute value of LCH Leaf Form under vegetation with the LCH phenology. Further, the LCH Foliage Persistence can indicate whether a woody plant species is deciduous or evergreen.
Across The Slope (Parallel to Contour Lines)
Administrative Regulations / Use Constraints
Aromatic Plants, Medicinal and Culinary Plants
Avalanche Prevention Or Protection Installations
Buildingnaturetype (From Inspire Data Specs Bu)
Constructed, Industrial and Other Artificial Habitats
Controlled / Regulated / Heavily Modified
Crop Type (Plotactivityvalue) (Eu Regulation (Ec) 1200/2009, Annex Ii, Chapter 2.)
Dried Pulses and Protein Crops for The Production of Grain
Endusepotentialtype (Inspire Data Specs On Mr)
Explosives (Military Ammunition / Industrial)
Extensive, Freerange (<2 Livestock Unit/Ha)
Fossilfueltype (Inspire Data Specs On Er)
Fresh Vegetables, Melons and Strawberries
Grasslands and Lands Dominated By Forbs, Mosses Or Lichens
Heterogenous / Mixed (Unevenly Textured)
in Direction of Slope (Perpendicular to Contour Lines)
Inland Unvegetated Or Sparsely Vegetated Habitats
Intentional / Accidential Structural Damage
Moisture Regime (Wetness) [Acc. To. Ghc Env Qualifiers]
Mushrooms, Energy Crops and Genetically Modified Crops
Naturally Regenerated Forest (Secondary Forest)
Normally Producing Olives for Oil Production
Open/Spreading/Dense Growth (Multi-Stem)
Ornamental/ Functional Plants Production
Other Cereals for The Production of Grain
Other Industrial Crops Not Mentioned Elsewhere
Otherconstructionnaturetype (From Inspire Data Specs Bu)
Regularly Or Recently Cultivated Agricultural, Horticultural and Domestic Habitats
Ripening Phase (Fruit Development, Maturation, Senescence)
Short Rotation Forestry (Srf) Plantation
Silvicultural Harvest and Regeneration Method
Species Type List (Eu-Nomen Species List Pesi Portal)
Storm Damage (Tornados, Hurricanes, Strong Winds)
Suburban Row Houses/Terraced/Semi Detached Houses
Surface Modification and Land Engineering Measures
Vegetative Phase (Leaf Growth, Shooting, Tillering)
(Semi-)Natural Areas Used for Recreation
Cultural, Entertainment and Recreational Services
Financial, Professional and Information Services
House of Worship (Church, Synagoge, Mosque, Others)
Manufacturing Chemical and Pharma Products
Manufacturing Clothes and Leather Products
Manufacturing Coke Petroleum Nuclear Fuels
Manufacturing Electric and Electronic Equipment
Manufacturing Food Beverages Tobacco Products
Manufacturing Nonmetallic Mineral Products
Manufacturing Rubber and Plastic Products
Manufacturing Vehicles and Transport Equipment
Other Financial Professional and Information Services
Peat and Other Fossil Fuel Based Energy Production
Professional Technical Scientific Services
Public Admin, Defense, Military, Security
Publishing Printing Reproduction of Recorded Media
Residential Use With Other Compatible Uses
Temporary Dwelling, Non-Permanent Structure
Temporary Residential, Permanent Structure
Transport Networks, Logistics, Utilities
Waste Combustion Based Energy Production
Wholesale Retail Trade Repair of Vehicles and Goods