NOAA's Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) is developing land cover and change data for the coastal zone of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. These data are being developed to help support the understanding of coastal issues and processes on a regional basis. All data developed through this project will be directly incorporated into the National Map, which will serve seamless land cover data for all of the U.S. These data are developed in partnership with private industry through contract awards.

Product Information

Mapping Boundary

The Gulf Coast mapping boundary was determined using the inland extent of estuarine drainage basins, coastal counties, and Coastal Zone Management Act boundaries. The boundary was then adjusted to result in natural breaks based on features in the landscape and NOAA's contribution to the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001. The graphic below illustrates the area to be mapped for the Gulf of Mexico.

The yellow and green areas will be mapped as part of NOAA's Gulf Coast land cover mapping effort. The initial phase will map the areas in yellow. Subsequent phases will complete the Gulf Coast.

Final Products

• 2001 land cover
• 1996 land cover
• Change analysis between 1996 and 2001
• Impervious surfaces data
• Canopy cover data (to be developed at a later date as part of ongoing NLCD 2001 efforts)
• Metadata

Technical Specifications

• Derived from Landsat satellite imagery
• 30-meter resolution
• Target 85% overall classification accuracy
• Standard C-CAP classes