A new dataset of global irrigation areas from 2001 to 2015

About 40% of global crop production takes place on irrigated land, which accounts for approximately 20% the farmland. The great majority freshwater consumption by human societies is associated with irrigation, contributes to a major modification water cycle enhancing evapotranspiration and reducing surface groundwater runoff. In many regions world irrigation streamflow depletion, soil salinization, cooler microclimate conditions, altered land-atmosphere interactions. Despite important role played in food security, cycle, productivity, near-surface atmospheric its extent remains poorly quantified. To date maps land are often based estimates from circa year 2000. Here we apply artificial intelligence methods machine learning algorithms satellite remote sensing monthly climate data map spatial areas between 2001 2015. We provide annual at ≈9km resolution 2001-2015 make this dataset available online.