Google Earth Overlays

Instructions: 

Make sure you have Google Earth (version 4 or higher) installed or download and install the latest version here. Click on the overlay of interest and select 'Open with Google Earth' in the popup window. Alternatively, right-click one of the links below and save the kmz-file to your PC. Then double-click this file, or right-click and select: 'Open with Google Earth', or drag and drop this file over Google Earth.

Important: For proper display in Google Earth ensure that in 
Google Earth: Tools --> Options --> 3D View --> Texture Colors, the Compress option is unchecked,
then restart Google Earth. Please read and follow the instructions in the initial Information window.

Then in the Panel section (left side in Google Earth):
  • Toggle the check box to show/hide the entry of interest,
  • Double-click to zoom to the selected entry,
  • Use the slider at the bottom of the 'Places' panel to adjust the transparency of the selected entry.
Note: the transparency of the image overlay is only applicable to the currently active (tickmarked) and selected (highlighted) entry in the Panel section. In the example on the right image moving the slider will change the transparency for the overlay Europe, Africa.

Click any of the maps below to open them in Google Earth on your PC:

MSPA of forest cover (spatial pattern classes, see GuidosToolbox): 

      Europe: year 2006, 25 m resolution, source: Forest Cover Map 2006
      Europe: year 2000, 25 m resolution, source: Forest Cover Map 2000
     

Continental United States: year 2001, 30m resolution, source: NLCD

Additional information and examples are provided on the USDA Forest Threats website
      Global: year 2009, 300 m resolution at Equator, source: GLOBCOVER
      Global: year 2005/2006, 300 m resolution at Equator, source: GLOBCOVER

 

Forest Cover (forest/nonforest):

   

Europe: year 2006, 25 m resolution, source: Forest Cover Map 2006

   

Europe: year 2000, 25 m resolution, source: Forest Cover Map 2000

 

Forest Type (broadleaved, coniferous and mixed forest):

   

Europe: year 2006, 25 m resolution, source: Forest Type Map 2006

Contact: Peter Vogt

 

 

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As the science and knowledge service of the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre's mission is to support EU policies with independent evidence throughout the whole policy cycle.