1. Point 3.1 of the agenda From the pilot phase to the new LUCAS
WORKING GROUP "Land Cover/Use Statistics" 20 October 2009,Luxembourg,
LUCAS TEAM

2. Contents Background information User consultation
Change in perspectives
New-LUCAS in a wider context

3. Background LUCAS pilot phase started in 2001 and ended 31.12.2007
Main users of LUCAS data: DG-ENV, DG-JRC, DG-ENTR, DG-REGIO, DG-AGRI, EEA
LUCAS is the only available source of harmonized data on land cover/use in Europe, based on in-situ observations.
The funding of the new-LUCAS surveys from 2008 onwards:
2008 PHARE: RO, BG
2009 ESTAT budget

4. Users’ consultation
In early 2008 ESTAT organised a large consultation with the main users of the LUCAS data
Stakeholders involved: EEA, DG JRC, DG ENV, DG AGRI, DG ENTR (GMES) and DG REGIO
Aims:
Identify and meet user requirements
Enhance relevance of LUCAS data for analysis and monitoring purposes

5. Findings of consultation
Users support LUCAS experience of EU wide in situ data collection
They use or plan to use LUCAS as in situ survey for:
Ecosystems monitoring
Agri-environmental issues
Soil issues/Erosion risk
Biodiversity
Landscape
CORINE Land Cover,
Ground truth for GMES
They suggested a number of improvements concerning:
scope
coverage
timing

6. Suggested improvements:
scope
All Land Cover/Use, and their changes over time
Interactions between agriculture, environment and countryside
West
East
North
South
Landscape picture
Indicators of landscape diversity and heterogeneity
Transect
C01
B43
B75 02 62 15
B16
Broadleaved forest
Other vegetables
Other fruit trees
Herb fringes
Road
Woodland margins
Maize

7. Suggested improvements: Geographical coverage
EU 27 (+maybe the other EEA countries)
Stable main sample allowing time series analysis + targeted sub-samples for specific topics
Focus on areas with higher probability of change (identified in collaboration with users)

8. Suggested improvements: Timing
Synchronization/Coordination of LUCAS with CLC, GMES monitoring activities
Continuity: three-year frequency for the survey on the main sample, (intermediate years could be devoted to specific topics)

9. Changes in perspective:
Enhancements in LUCAS 2009
Changes in perspective:
Complete coverage
Widened scope (from only crop statistical approach towards more agri-environmental issues)
Sampling rates more balanced among strata
More detailed nomenclature on artificial areas, forestry, water
Panel approach (change matrix)
New parameters on landscape diversity and heterogeneity
Geographical detail (NUTS2)
Multipurpose perspective
Continuity of the survey

10. LUCAS in a wider context: users and links
Multipurpose platform
Key customers:
DG ENV
DG JRC
DG ENTR
DG AGRI
DG REGIO
EEA
INSPIRE
Spatial Metadata
Land use
Data Centre
Shared Environmental
Information System
GMES
GEOLAND DG ENTR
Technical support
SOIL SAMPLE

11. Thank you!