Why is the NLCD 1992/2001 Retrofit Change Product at Anderson Level I?
The change product classes are described in a modified Anderson Level I scheme to eliminate the most incompatible legend differences between the two products at Anderson Level II. In an Anderson Level I cross-walk, some classes contain different land cover types. For example, in 1992, the urban classes include a class called Urban and Recreational Grasses as a subgroup in the Herbaceous/Planted-Cultivated land cover class. The most closely related 2001 equivalent is Developed Open Space that includes not only parks and golf courses but also subdivision areas with large open lots that contain up to 20% impervious surface area. Another example is the Barren class. In the 1992 NLCD product, a transitional Barren class includes mechanically disturbed and forest clear-cut areas that are not included in the 2001 Barren class definition.
