Compare Land Use/Cover GIS Data Sources for Minnesota
| Data set
(Source) |
Geographic area | Time period | Scale / Resolution | Classification system | Data type |
| National Land Cover
U.S. Geological Survey and partners |
Minnesota, (UTM)
nationwide (Albers) |
2019; 2016; 2013; 2011; 2008; 2006; 2004; 2001 | 30 meter | 20 classes | raster |
| GAP
USGS, MN Dept. of Natural Resources |
nationwide | 1991-95 | 30 meter | 4 levels of detail (see Appendices A & B) | raster, vector |
| Level 2 Landcover Classification (Landsat/LiDAR)
U of M |
statewide | 2013 | 15 meter | 11 classes | raster |
| Level 1 Landsat Landcover Classification
U of M |
statewide | 2000 | 30 meter | 7 classes | raster |
| 1990s Census of the Land
MN DNR and others |
statewide | 1989-96 | 30 meter | 8 classes | raster |
| National Resources Inventory
Natural Resources Conservation Service |
nationwide | 2012; 2010; 2007; 1997 | N/A | data design and glossary | point (interpolated to surrounding areas) |
| Cropland Data Layer
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture |
Minnesota (search for "cropland")
nationwide |
2008-2010; several earlier years | 56 meters | classes | raster |
| 1969 Land Use
Land Management Information Center |
statewide | 1968-9 | 40 acre | 9 classes | raster, vector |
| Coastal Change Analysis Program | NE Minnesota (see map) | 2016; 2011; 2001; 1996; 1985 | 30 meter | up to 25 classes | raster |
| Agricultural and transition areas
International Coalition |
63 counties | 1988-90 | 1:24,000 | 17 classes | vector |
| Forested areas
Manitoba Remote Sensing Centre |
14 counties | 1991-6 | 30 meter | 16 classes | raster, vector |
| Land Cover
- Twin Cities - Duluth - Rochester U of M |
7 Twin Cities metro counties;
Duluth; Rochester |
2015 | 1-meter | 12 classes | raster |
| Twin Cities metro
Metropolitan Council |
7 counties | planned land use | varies | varies by county | vector |
| 7 counties | 2000; 2005; 2010; 2016; 2020 | varies | 22 classes | vector | |
| 7 counties | 1984; 1990; 1997 | varies | 16 classes | vector | |
| MN Land Cover Classification System
MN DNR and partners |
- Most of the Twin Cities metro and scattered areas surrounding the metro
- Olmsted County See status maps |
1999-2003 | 1 acre (natural vegetation);
2 acres (artifiicial cover) |
- 5 hierarchical levels
- see details (PDF) |
vector |
| Beltrami, Clearwater Counties
Bemidji State University, county Soil and Water Conservation Districts |
2 counties | 1986 | 2.5 acre
(100 meter) |
15 classes | raster |
| Camp Ripley, Beltrami Island State Forest
MN DNR |
Parts of Morrison and Roseau counties | 1992-96 | 30 meters | 15 classes | raster |
| MN County Biological Survey Native Plant Communities
MN DNR |
See status map | 1986-ongoing | 1:24,000 | detailed key (PDF) | vector |