Land Disturbance Alert Classification System

The Land Disturbance Alert Classification System (LDACS) is a global data set that enhances NASA's DIST-ALERT system to classify vegetation disturbances into four categories: potential land conversion, fire-related, water-related, and cropland dynamics. Specifically targeting underrepresented non-forest ecosystems, 2023 global data shows cropland dynamics comprise one-third of disturbances, while land conversion is 4%. The system achieved 87% accuracy in initial validation within Brazil's Cerrado biome.

• The Land Disturbance Alert Classification System (LDACS) is a global data set based on NASA’s DIST-ALERT system that uses 30-meter resolution near real-time data to classify vegetation disturbances into four specific categories: potential land conversion, fire-related, water-related, and cropland dynamics.
• LDACS addresses a monitoring gap for non-forest ecosystems, including wetlands, shrublands, savannas, and grasslands, which have been underrepresented in previous global alert systems.
• Analysis of global results from 2023 shows that one-third of all classified disturbances are attributed to cropland dynamics, whereas potential land conversion accounts for only 4% of alerts.
• Initial validation of the system conducted in the Cerrado biome of Brazil showed an accuracy rate of 87% for classified alerts.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Land Disturbance Alert Classification System. https://www.wri.org/research/land-disturbance-alert-classification-system

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Land Disturbance Alert Classification System. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/land-disturbance-alert-classification-system.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Land Disturbance Alert Classification System |url=https://www.wri.org/research/land-disturbance-alert-classification-system |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendland, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Land Disturbance Alert Classification System}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/land-disturbance-alert-classification-system}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }