Land use change

Despite decades of interest by geographers in patterns and processes of land use change, the data base for such studies is at best fragmentary. In the absence of an adequate land inventory, it is difficult to see how an effective land planning and allocation system can be devised to meet future social, economic and ecological needs. It is argued that a more comprehensive system for monitoring land use change is required, and the role and accuracy of remote sensing in providing a land use survey base is assessed.