Émirats arabes unis

6.1. Reference area

The indicator estimates the increase in sealed soil surfaces with impervious materials due to urban development and construction (e.g. buildings, constructions and laying of completely or partially impermeable artificial material, such as asphalt, metal, glass, plastic or concrete). This provides an indication of the rate of soil sealing, when areas change land use towards artificial and urban land use. The indicator builds on data from the imperviousness High Resolution Layer (a product of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service). Imperviousness is mapped at 20m resolution and with a minimum mapping unit of 20m. The indicator is presented in the following units: Index 2006=100 % of total surface total sealed surface in km2