This paper introduces the acquisition and the stucture of ERS-1 WSC data. Map production method for the backscattering coefficient from global land surface is described. The global covering cases of the WSC data are analysed. The first global backscattering coefficient image in China is presented. The capability of ERS-1 WSC data for monitoring global land surface is investigated. Results indicate that the global backscattering coefficient image of the world is the synthesis of global vegetation image and terrain maps. Six types of main land surface coverages could be discriminated with WSC data

including: deserts; grassland; tundras

marshland and wet land; mountains

unvegetated highland

islands and needleleaf; tropic rain forest; snow field and ice cap. The global desert is classified into three types based on the distribution of the backscattering coefficients. The possible reasons are that the desert in different latitude have much difference in the moisture

the type of vegetation and roughness.