Land use map

Land use map

The annotations on this view of the Cass area of Canterbury indicate land capability classes. The classes range from I (highly productive land) to VIII (steep land, suitable only for protection). The availability of such maps has encouraged better use of productive land and the protection of erosion-prone areas.

The classes are based on a combination of factors, including rock and soil type, slope, erosion and vegetation cover. This is recorded on the map in shorthand, and looks like a large equation. Although the annotations seems complex, they are a good way to pack a lot of information onto the map.