Global Assessment of Key Landscape Metrics for Small Waterbodies (2001–2021)

This dataset provides global analyses of small waterbodies (SWs; 103-108 m²) from 2001-2021, derived from the Global Surface Water (GSW) dataset v1.4. Only permanent inland waters (waterClass = 3) were included. Discrete water patches were mapped to 1°×1° grid cells and classified into five area classes: 103-104, 104-105, 105-106, 106-107, and 107-108 m2.Four landscape metrics were calculated per grid cell and area class:(i) abundance (np) - number of discrete water patches;(ii) mean area (area_mn) - average patch size (m²),(iii) aggregation (ai) - degree of spatial clumping;(iv) connectivity (cohesion) - structural connectedness among patches.Data organization: For each evaluation year, the dataset is provided as a compressed archive containing all metrics for the five area classes. File names encode longitude and latitude (rounded to one decimal) using underscores as separators; negative signs in longitude and latitude are also replaced with underscores. Within each file, values following the longitude and latitude correspond to the calculated metrics for the respective grid cell and area class. This dataset enables analyses of global SW patterns, including increasing abundance and fragmentation, as well as associated natural and anthropogenic drivers, providing a foundation for ecological research and water resource management. Detailed methodology and analyses are described in the following reference:Reference: Chen, W., Lotz, T., Chen, M., Li, S., Xu, S., Cheng, J., Ouyang, C., & He, B. Contrasting regional patterns and drivers of global small waterbody increase and fragmentation (2001–2021). Nat. Commun. (2025), NCOMMS-25-77160A (Under review).