Quantification of land cover and vegetation state and its changes over time is of primary importance in satisfying the ever-increasing demand for reliable data and information to support studies, research and sustainable development policy at various scales. The availability of adequate information on land cover assessment and monitoring of its dynamics are essential requirements in understating and analyzing natural phenomena, such as climate change and variability and their predicted impacts on land and water resources and productivity, vegetation cover and biomass growth; as well as providing means to assess carbon stock accountability. Moreover, it helps monitor sustainable agriculture and rural development and supports the formulation of evidence based sound sustainable land development and land use policy addressing issues of food security and environmental sustainability. Land cover information is therefore fundamental in fulfilling the mandates of many United Nations, international and national institutions and programmes.

Assessing land cover of our world’s natural resources contributes to promoting sustainable land resources management that increases production, makes efficient use of resources and sustains ecosystem services addressing food security and agro-environmental threats. FAO supports national, regional and global land resources assessments and databases, so that policies and decisions can be based on better understanding of land status, potential and trends, constrains and opportunities.