Phase 1: Land Cover and Use
Land use is defined as human-oriented uses of land such as low density residential, high density residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, parks, forest, and agriculture. Tables that document changes in land use over time frequently accompany the maps.
An inventory of land use is usually conducted first for two important reasons. First, development is inextricably tied to a community’s land resources. Land and how a community uses it, shapes every part of a community’s economic, ecologic, social and cultural development and character.
Second, a land use map is typically selected as a plan’s base map and planning area. Combined with other elements of the inventory – transportation, population, and housing – we can more fully understand the complex relationships occurring within the community and begin to see future opportunities and constraints that will influence future development.
We employ a question format tailored to satisfy your interest in learning how your community’s land resources are being used and developing maps and tables that could contribute to a thorough inventory of land use.
What does my county look like now?
Aerial photos provide a "birds-eye" view that can be very informative. Several years of aerial photos are available in the folder, Aerial Photos. To go directly to the photos, click on the link above.
What land cover changes have occurred in my community?
The map you see summarizes the conversion of farmland, forestland, grassland, and bareland to urban land between 1992 and 2003. Too much change, too little change or conflicting changes in some areas (industrial next to residential) may warrant further investigation and analysis.
What other land cover data are available that I may find useful?
Several U.S. agencies funded the National Land Cover Data project that produced a 1992 Land Cover map and a 2001 Land Cover map. The map you see summarizes the conversion of farmland, forestland, grassland, and bareland to urban land between 1992 and 2003. Too much change, too little change or conflicting changes in some areas (industrial next to residential) may warrant further investigation and analysis.
What agricultural land cover data are available that I may find useful?
Every year, the National Agricultural Statistics Service develops a Cropland Data Layer. For questions related to the type and distribution of major agricultural crops, these yearly data layers are very useful. Select your county or city from the drop down menus to start the map service and view the latest Cropland Data Layer. After the map service opens, you can toggle among the years to view changes.
Robert McCormick