| Service Description |
The LUCAS survey, carried out by EUROSTAT on a three-yearly basis since 2006, focuses on the state and the dynamics of changes in land use and cover in the European Union. The survey is carried out in-situ; a large number of observations are made and registered throughout the EU. In 2012, all 27 EU countries have been covered and over 270,000 points have been analysed on different land cover types (cropland, grassland, forest, built-up areas, transport network, etc.). On these points, the surveyors have examined the land cover and land use, irrigation management and structural elements in the landscape. In addition, a 500 gr top-soil sample is taken in one out of 10 points. These samples are analysed in a laboratory and used for purposes related to assessing environmental factors, such as updating European soil maps, validating soil models, and measuring the quantity of organic carbon in the soil which is an important factor influencing the climate change. More information about the LUCAS survey (methodology and classification) can be found at the Eurostat LUCAS website. The data sources are:
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