Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union

E4: Regional statistics and geographical information

European Commission - Eurostat - L-2920 LUXEMBOURG

LUCAS is the acronym of Land Use and Cover Area frame Survey.

The aim of the LUCAS survey is to gather harmonised information on land use, land cover and environmental parameters. The survey also provides territorial information to analyse the interactions between agriculture, environment and countryside, such as irrigation and land management.

Since 2006, EUROSTAT has carried out LUCAS surveys every three years. 2006 data is considered pilot and has not been used to produce estimates. The most recent surveys happened in the spring-summer of 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018.

Since the LUCAS surveys are carried out in-situ, this means that observations are made and registered on the ground by field surveyors. A mixed panel approach is used, so some points are visited in subsequent years.

In the field, the surveyor classifies the land cover and the visible land use according to the harmonized LUCAS Survey land cover and land use classifications. Landscape pictures are taken in the four cardinal directions. Till 2015 a transect of 250m was walked from the point to the east direction, where the surveyor records all transitions of land cover and existing linear features. The above-mentioned transect was not surveyed during the 2018 survey. A specific topsoil module was implemented in 2009, in 2012 (partly), in 2015 and in 2018. A pilot module on grassland was introduced in LUCAS 2018 which involved an additional collection of a percentage of the points for grassland, the type and its quality via a transect of 20 m in length and 2.5 m in width, giving a total surveyed area of 50 m². In addition, a contribution of points for validation of Copernicus Programme had also been part of the LUCAS 2018 survey.

From the LUCAS survey in situ data collection, different types of information are obtained:

- Micro data

- Images

- Statistical tables

1. Micro data

Land cover, land use and environmental parameters associated to the single surveyed points are available freely for download in the LUCAS dedicated section. Transect indicators on landscape features related to the single point (diversity and richness) are also part of the information available for free download for survey 2009. Specific ad hoc modules have been included in some surveys such as the 2009, 2015 and 2018 topsoil samples taken on 10% of total LUCAS points. Soil results for the EU countries are available via the JRC Land resource management unit under license agreement. In 2012 the soil module was implemented in Bulgaria and Romania. The soil samples of the 2018 collection are currently being analyzed in laboratories.

2. Images

Point and landscape photos taken in the four cardinal directions at each point are available freely by request either via e-mail contact to estat-user-support@ec.europa.eu or by using the online order form.

3. Statistical tables

Statistical tables with aggregated results by land cover, land use at geographical level are available in Eurobase under the domain land cover, land use and landscape (LUCAS). The statistics are presented at NUTS0, NUTS1 and NUTS2 levels using the classification for NUTS 2013. For 2018 statistical tables at NUTS1 and NUTS2 are aligned by using the classification for NUTS 2016. These estimates are based on the point data conveniently weighted. For further information on weighting refer to chapter 20.5 Data compilation and Quality Reports.

Not applicable.

The main statistical variables collected in the LUCAS survey are: Land Cover, Land Use and Landscape indicators.

On the sampling units (points) two different modalities for land cover (LC1 - the primary information and LC2 - the secondary one) and land use (LU1 and LU2) can be collected. Data for the period 2009/2012/2015are produced taking into account first and secondary land cover/use.; in estimates of 2018 only first land cover is taken into account.

Figures relate to total official area of the country, which includes land area and land under inland water. Even if in LUCAS, the concept of land is extended to inland water areas (lakes, rivers, coastal areas such as estuaries, lagoons), it does not embrace uses below the earth’s surface (mine deposits, subways, mushroom beds, ground levels of buildings).

The Land Cover is the physical cover of the earth's surface and the Land Use is the socio-economic function of the land.

The two concepts (land cover and land use) are clearly distinguished in the LUCAS survey classifications. This distinction is particularly worthwhile and allows the analysis of the interactions between the two (cover and use). For example, land cover 'grassland' relates to the actual coverage of the soil while its use can vary from private gardens, to public parks, to agriculture and others. Grassland with agricultural use is an important component of the Utilized Agricultural Area and can be derived combining the two attribute (land cover and use) referring to the same point.

As far as the land use is concerned, it is worthwhile to specify that the figures refer specifically to the use of the land for which any sign is visible in the ground. Therefore, data reported in any table referring to the use has to be interpreted as the 'visible use'. As an example if a piece of land is regularly used for leisure purposes but no signs are visible on the spot, such a use will not be recorded by the surveyor and will not appear in the figures unless auxiliary data have been used for supporting data collection.

Landscape indicators (years 2009/2012) are computed on the basis of the information collected along the 250m transect (transition of land cover and presence of linear elements).

Published Landscape indicators consist of the following:

• · Richness
• · Shannon Diversity
• · Shannon Evenness

Please refer to "Codes Transect point indicators " LUCAS 2009 M1 - Landscape indicators  for  details.

The statistical unit in a LUCAS survey is a portion of land of circular shape and a conventional dimension of 1.5 meter radius (extended to 20 meters radius in specific cases).

For more detailed information please refer to the following documents:

LUCAS 2009 - Instructions

LUCAS 2012 - Instructions

LUCAS 2015 - Instructions

LUCAS 2018 - Instructions

The "reference population" is the area of EU territory included in the survey.

The reference area is the total area of the EU countries included in the survey. LUCAS point data include transitional water (G30:estuaries and lagoons), which are excluded from the estimates (statistical tables) as LUCAS reference area is NUTS surface which by definition does not cover transitional waters.

Nevertheless, some areas are excluded from field survey (but still included into the final estimates), due to the difficulties to reach points located in very remote areas.

Exclusion criteria took into account the following elements:

• · Altitude;
• · Distance to roads;
• · Accessibility indicator calculated using CORINE Land Cover (CLC);
• · Rule for eligibility.

Further information is available in Quality Report 2015 Chapter 2.1.2.

Reference area in 2015 and 2018

In the LUCAS 2015 and 2018 survey design, the area excluded from field visit are included in a complementary Photo sample to be interpreted, aiming at coverage of full EU territory. LUCAS 2015 and 2018 Survey cover all EU countries.

The territories/islands listed below were not included in the field survey; they are excluded from the reference population and hence the area is not considered in the estimation process. The area of these territories sums up to less than 2.5 % of the total area of EU:

• · ES63 (Ciudad Autonoma de Ceuta);
• · ES64 (Ciudad Autonoma de Melilla) (ES63 + ES 64 = 0.03% of ES6 (SUR));
• · ES70 (Canarias) 
• · FR9 (Departements D’outre-Mer) ;
• · PT20 (Região Autónoma dos Açores);
• · PT30 (Região Autónoma da Madeira).

Reference area in 2012

LUCAS 2012 Survey took place in the following 27 countries:

• · Austria
• · Belgium
• · Bulgaria
• · Czech Republic
• · Cyprus
• · Denmark
• · Estonia
• · Finland
• · France
• · Germany
• · Greece
• · Hungary
• · Ireland
• · Italy
• · Latvia
• · Lithuania
• · Luxembourg
• · Malta
• · Netherlands
• · Poland
• · Portugal
• · Romania
• · Slovakia
• · Slovenia
• · Spain
• · Sweden
• · United Kingdom

The following territories/islands were not included:

 Points to be visited in the field are selected among those:

• · belonging to mainland (small islands not connected to mainland by bridges may be excluded)
• · located in areas with elevation below 1500 meters

In 2012 proximity to road network was also taken in account in the selection/exclusion of points above 1500 meters.

Reference area in 2009

LUCAS 2009 Survey took place in the following 23 countries, covering 91% of total EU area:

• · Austria
• · Belgium
• · Czech Republic
• · Denmark
• · Estonia
• · Finland
• · France
• · Germany
• · Greece
• · Hungary
• · Ireland
• · Italy
• · Latvia
• · Lithuania
• · Luxembourg
• · Netherlands
• · Poland
• · Portugal
• · Slovakia
• · Slovenia
• · Spain
• · Sweden
• · United Kingdom

The following territories/islands were not included:

 As a consequence:

• · in the 23 Countries covered by the 2009 round, 6 out of 248 NUTS2 regions were not surveyed and no estimates are available for them;
• · types of land cover that mainly appear at a high altitude or in inlands could be underestimated (lakes, permanent snow);

data are not fully comparable between 2 surveys.

LUCAS data is available for 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018.

2006 data is considered pilot and estimates were not computed.

Not applicable for this kind of data.

Land cover and land use are expressed in square kilometers (Km²) and percentage (%).

For topsoil, the 2009, 2015 and 2018 data samples have been analysed for:

• · the percentage of coarse fragments
• · particle size distribution (% clay, silt and sand content)
• · pH (in CaCl2 and H2O)
• · organic carbon (g/kg)
• · carbonate content (g/kg)
• · phosphorous content (mg/kg)
• · total nitrogen content (g/kg)
• · extractable potassium content (mg/kg)
• · cation exchange capacity (cmol(+)/kg) (not 2018)
• · electrical conductivity (dS/m) (not 2009)
• · samples collected in 2009 and 2015 have multispectral properties available

Soil data are disseminated by JRC.

Statistical data in eurobase refers to

• · 2009 for 23 EU Member States
• · 2012, 2015 and 2018  for all EU Member States

The LUCAS survey is part of the Community Statistical Programme 2008-2012 and 2013-2017.

(http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:344:0015:0043:EN:PDF)

The LUCAS Survey is a Eurostat data collection co-financed by DG Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), DG Climate Action (DG CLIMA), DG Environment (DG ENV) and DG Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW).

Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.

LUCAS data are not confidential.

LUCAS statistical tables are updated after every survey. The present update cycle is of 3 years.

When a new table is uploaded access is available in the LUCAS dedicated section.

In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see item 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably.

The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.

LUCAS aggregated tables are available every 3 years  at time t+18 months.  Microdata are downloadable at time t+7months.

LUCAS preliminary tables for 2012 were made available at time t+9 months.

LUCAS 2015 field survey, primary data were put online in July 2016.

The last LUCAS field survey took place in 2018, primary data were put online in April 2019.

News releases are published on-line.

Articles in Statistics Explained, and chapters in the Eurostat yearbook and the Eurostat regional yearbook are available online.

LUCAS statistical tables are available on Eurobase, under the land cover, land use and landscape LUCAS (lan) heading.

The LUCAS primary data includes alpha-numerical variables and photographs linked to the geo-referenced points.

The LUCAS data is available in the LUCAS dedicated section, free of charge to all users.

The LUCAS photos can be obtained by contacting Eurostat (estat-user-support@ec.europa.eu) or by using the online order form.

LUCAS topsoil data 2009, 2015 and 2018

The datasets for the LUCAS 2009 and 2012 Topsoil Module include data from 19,969 and 2034 samples respectively, from 25 Member States can be downloaded from https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/lucas-2009-topsoil-data

The datasets for the LUCAS 2015 Topsoil Module include data from 21,859 samples from 28 Member States, together with reference data describing a range of environmental conditions for the LUCAS Soil locations can be downloaded from:

https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/lucas2015-topsoil-data

Data were also collected during 2015 in Switzerland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia collected during 2015 using the same methodology.

The datasets for the LUCAS 2018 Topsoil Module include data from 18,279 samples from 28 Member States will be available from https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu during Q2 2021

Data can be downloaded after prior registration.

The required applicable documentation for LUCAS survey, aggregated data and landscape indicators is provided in the LUCAS dedicated section (under Methodology).

For the topsoil data, the paper LUCAS Soil, the largest expandable soil dataset for Europe: a review by Orgiazzi et al provides a detailed insight into the design and methodology of the data collection and laboratory analysis

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ejss.12499

The LUCAS pages on ESDAC contain a wealth of supporting material and reports.

For relevant quality documentation please refer to the following document:

LUCAS 2009 - Quality Checks 

LUCAS 2012 - Quality Checks

LUCAS 2015 - Quality Checks

LUCAS 2018 – Quality Checks

For further information, please refer to document LUCAS 2009 M2 - Quality Assurance.

In the framework of Eurostat Quality Assurance Framework, LUCAS survey underwent an External Peer review. Result from the final assessment can be found in Annex 1.

LUCAS data is used by four main types of users:

1. Eurostat internal use (12% of the contacts)
2. Other DGs and European Institutions: mainly the JRC, EEA, RTD, AGRI, ENV, CLIMA, and GROW either directly by the DGs or through external contracts (62 %)
3. For national purposes by national authorities (10 %)
4. Research purposes by universities and research institutions (16 %)

The LUCAS survey was initially conceived with the aim of providing early estimates for crop production but after some pilot tests, it became evident that the tool was not adequate for that purpose due to the time span until results were available. However, the results of LUCAS proved valuable for other uses and the scope and purpose were modified and also broadened.

The needs of the Commission services related to LUCAS were assessed, confirmed and integrated at the strategic level by the LUCAS Advisory Group. They span from reporting obligations linked to the Common Agricultural Policy and to Rural development Policy, to implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, from the monitoring EU biodiversity policy to Soil Thematic Strategy and to the context of the implementation of Copernicus (formerly GMES) covering earth observation by means of satellites, ground based, sea-borne and airborne facilities in order to provide environmental information.

LUCAS data are used for Agro Environmental Indicators (AEI), LULUCF (land use, land use change and forestry) indicators, Europe Resource Efficiency indicators and are planned to be used in assessing the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). Moreover in the context of CORINE Land Cover (CLC) and all other pan-EU mapping initiatives, such as the Copernicus HRL (High Resolution Layers) LUCAS is used for production, verification and validation processes.

An important issue in the user requirements is the timing of surveys. Commission services declared their need for the core part of the LUCAS survey to be carried out at three-year intervals, in synchronisation with CORINE Land Cover and the update of the HRL (High Resolution Layers).

No feedback analysis.

Not Applicable.

The accuracy is tackled at Eurostat level, by eliminating as much as possible non-sampling errors and  by calculating sampling errors.  

The missing data phenomena is almost negligible in the survey. In case surveyors could not reach the points they were obliged to fill in the field form on the basis of the information that he/she could coll.

The majority of points were surveyed at a distance lower than 100 m (85%), while a small percentage (9%) was photo-interpreted (PI) in the field due to accessibility problems.ect from orthophoto interpretation.

Sampling error of the estimates (cv%) is disseminated in the Statistical Tables for each domain of estimation.

For further information, please refer to document Quality Reports in the methodology page.

Data collection takes place between spring and autumn on the year of the survey (t), and the statistics are published according to the schedule of t+18months. 

100%.

Fully harmonised and comparable, since the surveyors use the same methodology in all countries.

Different aspects of comparability have to be  assessed through:

- Comparison of the main features of 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018 surveys by focusing on the following elements: sample design, sample size, countries involved, sampling unit and data collection method;

- Comparison of the information collected with the previous surveys (comparison of the variables reported in the field forms);

- Comparison of the definition of the variables collected with the previous surveys (information reported in the metadata and/or in the Technical Reference Documents).

 In general, the LC/LU classification is comparable with others LC/LU systems (e. FAO, CLC), hence compatibility of the adopted definitions with the main international concepts and definitions is guaranteed. Additional parameters have been introduced where needed to allow the match, while keeping an independency and flexibility in the main item classification. This is the reason why the heading "Total woodland" in LUCAS Statistical classification includes: 'Forest' and 'other wooded area' as defined according to FAO standards and other areas covered by trees not respecting FAO definition.

Table 1 : Main features of the LUCAS survey 2009, 2012 and 2015

[1]The estimation method used in 2015 is applied to the back series 2009 and 2012.

The LUCAS Survey is designed in order to achieve harmonization and comparability among campaigns; however for the time being , with the current sample size, comparability over time for estimates related to areas < 500 Km² should be treated with care, especially within strata with a limited coverage.

In the last two campaigns, one of the main obstacle for comparing the collected data, were the changes done in 2012 classifications of “land cover” and the solution was to recode the 2009 survey data. In some cases it was sufficient to replace the original 2009 code by the new one in 2012 in a deterministic way. When land use is equal to “hunting”, “nature reserve” and “unused and abandoned areas” and in the same time the land cover is changed, the deterministic mode cannot be applied because the uncertainty of the correction and, hence, a specific procedure  was implemented. The new land use is derived from a probabilistic imputation that is a random selection of the code among the three most frequent land use codes, given the related land cover; the probabilities are derived by considering the cross distribution of land cover and the land use for those point in common to 2009 and to 2012 (and the points are restricted only to those that, in 2009, had the land use that will be changed).

A summary of the procedures implemented to optimise the comparability between 2009 and 2012 survey is reported in the annexed document. The procedures impact the statistical tables disseminated and not the primary data published in the LUCAS dedicated section.

In the current revision, same methodologies for data treatment are applied to the 3 years of surveys.

2. New methodological sample design for 2018 survey

 Break in Series in 2018 estimates

The methodological revision of the 2018 sample design has resulted in relevant adjustments to the final estimates of statistical tables, and consequently, produced implications on the comparability of 2018 values with previous rounds. In particular, the limited comparability of the statistical estimates concerns small countries/regions and land cover classes, such as artificial, bare land, water, and wetland.

The LUCAS 2018 sample design introduced several new elements compared to the previous campaigns:

• The 2018 sample design had commenced with the update of the first phase LUCAS Master Sample (2 by 2 Km grid) by adding new elements, (most recent available data from CLC, HRLs, NUTS 2 totals, elevation classes) to be included in the estimation of the target variables.
• In addition, through photo interpretation, a more detailed classification variable (STR18) replaced the limited STR05 variable producing a higher number of strata.
• The build of 2018 stratification design had been the outcome of possible combinations of NUTS 2, STR18, CLC modalities and elevation classes via an iterative algorithm that optimized the stratification given the coefficients of variations of the target variables.
• The sample design process had also been restructured in terms of the eligibility criteria. Until 2015 survey, the eligibility criterion had been introduced to divide points as eligible or non-eligible, depending on whether a point was considered unattainable or too costly to be reached. It had thus divided the Master in two parts before the sample selection. However, the eligibility criterion has been removed in 2018 and all points were deemed as eligible to be selected in the survey sample.
• Detailed description of LUCAS 2018 sample design can be found here:   https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-statistical-working-papers/-/ks-tc-18-006

The consequences of the above modifications were a minor number of common points in the 2018 sample with the previous surveys, than those selected in 2009-2015.

In addition, a larger number of Photo-interpreted (PI) points had been assigned in 2018 survey compared to previous rounds. Considering that Photointerpretation is different from in-situ observation, there might be a PI “effect” too; the quality report for LUCAS 2018 will provide more details on the subject.

Coherence of statistics is their adequacy to be reliably combined in different ways and for various uses. Various sources of data currently provide information on land uses and agro-environmental topics. They include area sample surveys conducted by member States, NATURA 2000 maps and Corine Land Cover (CLC) among others. These sources are often not completely coherent with LUCAS data.

 While reading the results and comparing them with other sources it is important to have in mind that the LUCAS survey clearly distinguishes between land cover and land use.

Despite the effort of harmonization of the definitions some differences (sometimes not negligible) can be observed when comparing different sources. These differences can be due to the following reasons:

• · Different methodologies
• · Certain margin of subjectivity in the application of the definitions
• · The (im)possibility to clearly distinguish between coverage and use in the figures available from other domains
• · Variability of the estimates due to the sampling methodology

1. Areas of crops and grassland

All the above explanations apply to the comparison between cropland in LUCAS and the figures on crops coming from other sources within Eurostat (for example the Farm Structure Survey or the  Crop Statistics). Since the LUCAS survey collects indeed land cover and land use independently,  areas covered by 'grassland' not belonging to farms and not used for agriculture are nonetheless classified as grassland. Note that the 'grassland' might be used as private gardens or public parks, but also for agriculture, sport and other uses. Grassland with agricultural use is an important component of the Utilized Agricultural Area and can be derived from the LUCAS classification by combining land cover and use attributes.

2. FAO forest definitions and LUCAS wooded areas:

In LUCAS, Woodland has been defined in a way that allows providing estimates compatible with the FAO results. In particular the comparability with FAO forest classification has been strengthened with the inclusion of variables area size, height of trees, width of features and percentage of land cover.

However, differences between the semantic definition of LUCAS wooded areas and FAO forest definitions have to be taken into account: if an area has > 10% of trees (excluding fruit trees in permanent crops) in LUCAS is labeled as "wooded area", FAO take this into account only if it is > than 0.5 Ha. Then, woodland in LUCAS includes: 'Forest' and 'Other wooded land' as defined according to FAO standards and other areas covered by trees not respecting FAO definition.

In addition, a further concern arises from the changes occurred in survey protocol for the 2009, 2012 and 2015 LUCAS campaigns. In fact, variations in the definitions may cause inconsistencies when datasets are compared over time. Therefore, an evaluation of the impacts of these changes on the reported figures at different administrative levels is either beneficial for producer or user of the data.

Further information can be found in Quality Report 2015.

The coherence between the total area of the countries and their split according to land cover and land use is guaranteed by definition.

A standardized methodology and classification has been applied in all the countries and from one round to another since the 2006 pilot survey.

Therefore the internal coherence is perfectly assured.

LUCAS has no burden on respondents, since sampling units are visited by a surveyor without need for interaction with the land owner (other than request of permission to access private property if such is the case).

No revisions foreseen.

Till 2015

After each survey, past data are revised and re-aligned to the latest methodology. The latest NUTS region classification is applied. For instance the 2009-2012 data are revised in order to have better comparability over time as coverage and definition changed between the 2 last surveys and results are aligned to 2015 survey. Areas excluded for accessibility reasons, from field survey in 2009 and 2012 are estimated with complementary photo interpreted sample in 2015. Estimates are provided according to NUTS 2013.

Since 2018

The last estimates provided for 2018 are provided according to NUTS 2016 and past series are not re-alligned.

The frequency of the survey until 2018 has been of 3 years

• · 2006 (pilot)
• · 2009
• · 2012
• · 2015
• · 2018
• · 2022 (in preparation)

For further information on Field survey, please refer to the documents on the LUCAS web Pages:

LUCAS 2006

LUCAS 2009

LUCAS 2012

LUCAS 2015

LUCAS 2018

For further information on quality control, please refer to the following documents:

LUCAS 2009

LUCAS 2012

LUCAS 2015

LUCAS 2018

LUCAS is a two phase sample survey.

Detailed description of sampling and estimation methodology is provided in annex and the methodology page of the LUCAS dedicated section:

LUCAS 2009 – Quality Report

LUCAS 2012 – Quality Report

LUCAS 2015 – Quality Report 

Not applicable

Before reading the preliminary results some warnings are useful to better interpret the figures. They refer to the following topics:

• Distinction between land cover and land use classifications
• Main definitions
• Territorial coverage

 Please refer to paragraphs 3.2, 3.4 and 3.7.

Please note that the shares might not sum up to 100% due to rounding.

Concerning comparability with national data available and disseminated in EU Member States:

• main reason for discrepancy are linked to different definition of the reference area (Total area, land area ect.) and classification.
• however summing up broad classes such as wooded and shrub areas or grassland and cropland LUCAS results are quite similar to national sources
• artificial areas in LUCAS is a quite restrictive definition that identifies only sealed areas, whereas the concept of urban areas in national Statitics include "Urban Green areas" such as urban park and associated areas.