|
Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS)
Inventories & Assessments :
How to do an Inventory :
GIS Based NRI :
MLCCS
What is the MLCCS?
The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) is a method of GIS land cover mapping that describes what is
on the ground based on the type of vegetation (or lack of it) and the amount of impervious surface (such as pavement and buildings).
MLCCS1 was developed specifically for Minnesota, and classifies urban, suburban, agricultural areas, and vegetated areas. With the
MLCCS you can:
- identify lands and natural corridors to conserve
- model impacts of impervious areas on water resources
- develop natural resource management plans
- model ecological quality of natural resources
- track land cover change
|
MLCCS data are already available for portions of Minnesota, especially in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area. Contact
the Central Region GIS Analyst at the DNR for availability and training information at 651-772-6150. For updated versions of these status maps, see
the MLCCS section of the DNR website.
|
|
|
The coding system consists of nine major community types (below), which are used to describe land cover.
| MLCCS Code |
Land Cover Community Type |
| 10000 |
Artificial Surfaces and Associated Areas |
| 20000 |
Planted or Cultivated Vegetation |
| 30000 |
Forests |
| 40000 |
Woodlands |
| 50000 |
Shrublands |
| 60000 |
Herbaceous Vegetation |
| 70000 |
Nonvascular Vegetation |
| 80000 |
Sparse Vegetation |
| 90000 |
Open Water |
The classification system is hierarchical.
The five levels of the MLCCS are represented by a five digit number:
| Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
Level 5 |
| First Digit |
Second Digit |
Third Digit |
Fourth Digit |
Fifth Digit |
Artificial Surfaces Hierarchy
Examples:
30000 - Interpreted to the first level, thus represents Forests
32000 - Interpreted to the second level, thus represents Deciduous forest
32100 - Interpreted to the third level, thus represents Upland deciduous forest
32110 - Interpreted to the forth level, thus represents Oak forest
32113 - Interpreted to the fifth level, thus represents Oak forest dry subtype
|
Natural Resource Inventory displayed with MLCCS Level 5 Codes.
MLCCS Level 5 Codes:
11210: 4%-10% Impervious Cover with Deciduous Trees
13124: 11%-25% Impervious Cover with Short Grasses (<1ft.) and Mixed Trees
21110: Upland Soils with Planted, Maintained or Cultivated Coniferous Trees
32110: Oak Forest
61220: Medium Tall Non-Native Dominated Herbaceous Vegetation
62220: Non-Native Dominated Herbaceous Vegetation with Sparse Coniferous or
Mixed Coniferous/Deciduous Trees
93300: Open Water
|
APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
The following table illustrates approximate estimates for completing each step of the land cover mapping process
necessary to develop a MLCCS Based GIS data layer for an area 1 square mile in size with moderately complex land
cover at level 4-5 of the MLCCS. The estimates assume the work is being done by experienced individuals.
Land Cover Mapping - Estimated Completion Rate Per Square Mile:
| Activity |
Time |
| Plot Maps |
15-30 minutes |
| Interpretation/Delineation |
1-2 Hours |
| Field Check |
3 Hours |
| Digitize |
3 Hours |
| Error Check (Office) |
30-60 minutes |
| Error Check (field) |
1 Hour |
| Make Edits |
2-3 Hours |
Total Time |
10.45-13.5 Hours -->12 Hours Avg. |
MAPPING PROCESS OVERVIEW
The following outline is an overview of the digital mapping process used to develop the Dakota County Natural Resource Inventory.
The final output of the mapping process is a digital Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) composed of polygons containing MLCCS classification information. A subset of the NRI near the Mississippi River in Inver Grove Heights is pictured below.
Click to Expand
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Below you will find a number of resources for conducting your own NRI using the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS). These files are provided as is and are intended for experienced GIS users to assist in the development of GIS-Based NRI's using the MLCCS.
- MLCCS ArcInfo AML (AML 2kb) Check ArcInfo coverages for polygons with missing or multiple labels.
- MLCCS Arcview Extension (AVX 116kb) A digitizing tool for MLCCS data entry in Arcview GIS.
- MLCCS Codes (XLS 92kb) Listing of all available MLCCS codes.
- MLCCS Dichotomous Key: (HTML 160kb) | (WORD 193kb) Taxonomic key to using the MLCCS classification system.
- MLCCS Manual: (PDF 4.77mb) | (HTML 3.64mb) | (WORD 1.79mb) Provides all necessary documentation to map land cover with the MLCCS.
- MLCCS Presentation (PDF 4.2mb) In depth presentation on the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System, July 2003.
- PALM Handheld Files: Conduct MLCCS Field Checking using a Handheld Palm Pilot.
1. MLCCS developed cooperatively by: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District,
Friends of the Mississippi River,
Great River Greening, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
|
Overview |
Natural Resource Based Planning |
Inventories & Assessments |
Implementation Tools |
Project Profiles |
Data |
Resources & Links
©2004 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources.
|
|
