What is a web coverage service used for?

A web coverage service (WCS) is designed specifically for serving raster data over the web. This type of service allows users to request and retrieve geospatial data in the form of raster coverages, which can represent continuous data like elevation, temperature, or other surface phenomena. The ability of a WCS to deliver raster data in a standardized way makes it highly valuable for applications that require access to remote sensing data or similar datasets.

While sharing vector data falls under different standards, such as Web Feature Service (WFS), a WCS focuses solely on raster data, emphasizing the retrieval and processing of grid-based information. Furthermore, the display of 3D models requires different types of services, such as Web Scene Services, which are not the main purpose of a WCS. Imagery layer compilation is more about assembling multiple raster datasets rather than the primary function of providing access to individual raster coverages, which is the role that a WCS fulfills.