A land-use classification system for use with remote sensor data

Abstract

The framework of a national land-use classification system is proposed for testing and review. The classification has been developed to meet the needs of Federal and State agencies for an up-to-date overview of land use throughout the country on a basis that is uniform in date, scale, and categorization at the more generalized first and second levels and that will be receptive to data from instrumented satellite and high-altitude aircraft platforms. The classification system utilizes the best features of existing widely used classification systems to the extent that they are amenable to use with remote-sensing, and it is open-ended so that regional, state, and local agencies may develop more detailed land-use classification systems, at third and fourth levels, to meet their particular needs and at the same time remain compatible with each other and with the national system.