COMBINING LAND USE DATA ACQUIRED FROM LANDSAT WITH SOIL MAP DATA.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of Landsat imagery to update small-scale soil maps by determining the hectares of cropland in each soil delineation. The method of study was to determine by photo interpretation techniques from Landsat color transparencies the percent of cropland in the study area. The study area consisted of the U. S. states of South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana, an area of about 70,987,532 hectares. Five classes of cropland land use were determined. The soil maps and the agricultural land use maps prepared from Landsat were digitized and by use of a geographic information system the hectares of cropland were determined for each soil delineation. Following this study of South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana the method was applied to other areas in the world. Results from a study area in China are discussed.