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Reliable observations of the terrestrial environment are of crucial importance to understanding climate change and its impacts, to sustainable economic development, natural resources management, conservation, biodiversity and a scientific understanding of ecosystems and biogeochemical cycling. GOFC-GOLD (Global Observations of Forest Cover and Land Dynamics) as panel of GTOS (Global Terrestrial Observing System) and the Global Land Cover Network of FAO-UNEP (GLCN) brings together key participants and stake-holders involved in global land cover observations. The objective is to provide a platform for cooperation and communication on current and planned activities including developments on the political programs, international strategic frameworks as well as related implementation initiatives. Harmonization and validation of land cover datasets are central implementation issues.
Herold et al. (Thu,) studied this question.