A 30-m, Multi-decadal Mangrove Cover Fraction Dataset for China (1990-2023)

The China Mangrove Cover Fraction (CMCF) provides the first national-scale, multi-temporal, 30 m resolution dataset of mangrove canopy density for China, with data for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2023. Mangrove Cover Fraction (MCF), which quantifies the sub-pixel proportion of mangrove canopy, is a critical parameter for evaluating ecosystem health, monitoring restoration success, and quantifying ecosystem services like coastal protection. This dataset was generated to fill a critical data gap left by previous binary (presence\/absence) classifications, enabling a more nuanced understanding of long-term mangrove structural dynamics. It was produced using a systematic framework that integrates time-series Landsat imagery with high-quality reference samples derived from very-high-resolution (VHR) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery. The dataset demonstrated high accuracy (R\u00b2 = 0.83, RMSE = 16.14%), providing a robust baseline for future research. The CMCF is essential for researchers, conservation practitioners, and policymakers working on coastal ecosystem services, climate change resilience, and sustainable management in China and globally.