area_type
A variable with the standard_name of area_type contains either strings which indicate the nature of the surface e.g. land, sea, sea_ice, or flags which can be translated to strings using flag_values and flag_meanings attributes. These strings are standardised. Values must be taken from the area_type table.Aliases for this term
land_cover
A variable with the standard name of land_cover contains strings which indicate the nature of the anthropogenic land use or vegetation e.g. urban, grass, needleleaf trees, ice. These strings have not yet been standardised. The alternative standard name of surface_cover is a generalisation of land_cover. Alternatively, the data variable may contain integers which can be translated to strings using flag_values and flag_meanings attributes.land_cover
description deleted due to bad characters... (sjd 05/12/12 12:12pm)surface_cover
The surface called "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. A variable with the standard name of surface_cover contains strings which indicate the nature of the surface e.g. urban, forest, vegetation, land, sea_ice, open_sea. These strings have not yet been standardised. This standard name is a generalisation of land_cover.This term is not aliased.