Land Cover Surveys
Land cover describes the principal features and characteristics of the countryside. Data on land cover, both in map and statistical format, is essential to assess the stock and distribution of landscape features as well as the determination of change within the countryside. In Scotland, there are currently three basic sources of land cover data.
The ITE Countryside Surveys, 1978, 1984, 1990, 2000 (ITE now Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)
The Land Cover of Scotland, 1988. Summary Statistics Reports for the 32 Authorities (word documents of about 3.5 Mb each) is available: One page version.
The Scottish Natural Heritage Countryside Monitoring Scheme (LCS88) Different systems rely on different methodologies:
| ITE | LCS88 | NCMS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methodology | Systematic stratified sample of 192 x 1km squares, with stratification based on ITE land classes | National census | Stratified random, area-based sampling design |
| Data Collection | Field survey | Aerial photographs | Aerial photographs |
| Mapping scale | 1:10 000 | 1:24 000 | 1:10 000 to 1:32 000 |
| Classification | Flexible: combination of 100 primary and 150 secondary classes |
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| Mapping Units |
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Minimum land parcel mapped is 0.1ha |
