A dataset of MuSyQ global 5 km/8-day and 500 m/4-day spatiotemporal continuous fractional vegetation cover product (1981–2020)

Fractional vegetation cover (FVC) serves as a crucial indicator for assessing the health status of terrestrial vegetation ecosystems. Currently, most global FVC products derived from satellite remote sensing have a temporal resolution of 8-10 days, which proves insufficient for capturing vegetation dynamics during rapid growth periods. Based on the gap probability theory, this study utilized the global GLASS leaf area index (LAI) product with a spatial resolution of 5 km and a temporal resolution of 8 days, along with a priori clumping index information, to generate a global FVC product at 5 km/8-day resolution from 1981 to 2000. Furthermore, the global MuSyQ LAI product with a spatial resolution of 500 m and a temporal resolution of 4 days, together with clumping index products, was used to generate a global FVC product at 500 m/4-day from 2001 to 2020. Validation using ground-based measurement from the VALERI and IMAGINES projects showed that the product achieved a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.15 and a mean relative error of 12.56%. This product provides data support for long-term global vegetation dynamics monitoring.