Dataset for:New inventory of glaciers in Tajikistan from 3 m PlanetScope imagery (2024): the Tajikistan Glacier Inventory (TGI)

Dataset Abstract This dataset presents a comprehensive glacier inventory for Tajikistan, representing the state of glaciers for the year 2024. The inventory documents 12,325 individual glaciers with a total area of 7,720.26 km², covering approximately 6% of the country's landmass. Data Sources and Processing Methods The glacier outlines were generated using deep learning techniques applied to multi-source remote sensing data. This automated approach enabled high-precision mapping of glacier boundaries. A critical feature of this dataset is the explicit separation of glacier surface types into clean ice (Class 1) and debris-covered ice (Class 2), which is vital for accurate hydrological modeling and meltwater analysis. Variable Definitions The dataset is provided as a compressed .rar file containing an ESRI Shapefile (TJK_Glacier_Dataset.shp) and a README file. The data is projected in WGS 1984 World Mollweide (EPSG: 54009). Key attributes for each polygon include: Identifiers: Unique TGI_ID, glims_id, and corresponding RGI_ID (v7.0). Geometric & Topographic: Area (G_area), uncertainty (G_Uncert), max length (Lmax), mean slope, and aspect. Elevation: Mean, median, minimum, and maximum elevations (Elev_Mean, Elev_Med, etc.) derived from reference DEMs. Location: Centroid coordinates (CenLon, CenLat) and basin identification. Spatial and Temporal Scope Temporal: The dataset represents glacier extents for the year 2024. Spatial: The entire territory of Tajikistan [approx. 36.6°N – 41.0°N, 67.3°E – 75.1°E], spanning from the western Kafirnigan basin to the eastern Muksu basin in the Pamir core. Usage Notes and Limitations This dataset supports glaciological and hydrological research. It reveals a "many in number, small in size" distribution pattern, where 89.8% of glaciers are smaller than 1 km². Users should note that while the dataset provides precise outlines and debris-cover classification, it does not include a formal morphological classification (e.g., distinguishing valley vs. cirque glaciers) in the attribute table.