Validation of MODIS vegetation continuous fields in two areas in Mexico

The MODIS vegetation continuous fields (VCF) product has a percent tree cover layer; hence it could potentially be used to detect hotspots of deforestation and forest degradation, if data accuracy is high. This paper assesses the accuracy of the VCF percent tree cover layer by comparing it with land cover maps in two areas in Mexico. Specifically, we assess whether it can (1) differentiate forest from non-forest and (2) detect forest degradation. The VCF percent tree cover layer is considered accurate if the percent tree cover value of forest is markedly higher than non-forest, and the value of conserved forest higher than degraded forest. Our results show that VCF percent tree cover can accurately differentiate forest from non-forest except from the case of tropical dry forest. It also discriminate primary forest from open secondary forest; however, secondary forest with regrowth shows higher percent tree cover value than primary forest. Based on the obtained results, the VCF percent tree cover seems to be a promising product for deforestation and degradation detection. However, a quantitative assessment incorporating other areas with more vegetation types is recommended before its application for forest cover change analysis in Mexico.