A land use and land cover classification system for use with remote sensor data

The framework of a national land use and land cover classification system is
presented for use with remote sensor data. The classification system has been
developed to meet the needs of Federal and State agencies for an up-to-date
overview of land use and land cover throughout the country on a basis that is
uniform in categorization at the more generalized first and second levels and
that will be receptive to data from satellite and aircraft remote sensors. The
proposed system uses the features of existing widely used classification
systems that are amenable to data derived from remote sensing sources. It is
intentionally left open-ended so that Federal, regional, State, and local
agencies can have flexibility in developing more detailed land use
classifications at the third and fourth levels in order to meet their
particular needs and at the same time remain compatible with each other and
the national system. Revision of the land use classification system as presented in U.S. Geological Survey Circular 671 was undertaken in order to
incorporate the results of extensive testing and review of the categorization
and definitions.