Earth System Science Data
Earth System Science Data
Earth System Science Data
Articles | Volume 14, issue 2
Articles | Volume 14, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-517-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-517-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 14, issue 2
Data description paper
 | 
08 Feb 2022
Data description paper |  | 08 Feb 2022

A global dataset of annual urban extents (1992–2020) from harmonized nighttime lights

Min Zhao, Changxiu Cheng, Yuyu Zhou, Xuecao Li, Shi Shen, and Changqing Song

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Short summary
We generated a unique dataset of global annual urban extents (1992–2020) using consistent nighttime light observations and analyzed global urban dynamics over the past 3 decades. Evaluations using other urbanization-related ancillary data indicate that the derived urban areas are reliable for characterizing spatial extents associated with intensive human settlement and high-intensity socioeconomic activities. This dataset can provide unique information for studying urbanization and its impacts.
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