A dataset of county-scale “Grain for Green” Project areas on the Loess Plateau from 1999 to 2020

<p indent="0mm">The implementation of large-scale ecological restoration projects can induce extensive land-use changes, thereby affecting regional ecosystem services. To explore the spatiotemporal patterns and trends in the implementation area of the “Grain for Green” Project (GGP) on the Loess Plateau from 1999 to 2020, this study incorporates Chin’s administrative division framework and the high-resolution long-term land-use data released by Wuhan University. By employing a land-use transition matrix and performing spatial analysis using ArcGIS, we systematically quantified seven key land conversion types, including transitions from farmland and barren land to forest and grassland. We developed a county-scale spatiotemporal dataset documenting land-use dynamics associated with the GGP. The dataset reveals that the Loess Plateau has achieved significant restoration outcomes, with 5.26 million hectares of land converted to forest or grassland and consistent enhancement in vegetation coverage during 1999-2020. The dataset provides valuable reference data for understanding county-scale implementation of the GGP and ecosystem conservation efforts across the Loess Plateau.