Publication Citation

USGS Series Circular
Report Number 1131
Title Classification and Mapping of Agricultural Land for National Water-Quality Assessment
Edition -
Language ENGLISH
Author(s) Gilliom, Robert J.; Thelin, Gail P.
Year 1997
Originating office USGS NAWQA Pesticides National Synthesis Project
USGS Library Call Number (200) Ci no.1131
Physical description vi, 70 p.
ISBN 0607868090

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Abstract

Agricultural land use is one of the most important influences on water quality at national and regional scales. Although there is great diversity in the character of agricultural land, variations follow regional patterns that are influenced by environmental setting and economics. These regional patterns can be characterized by the distribution of crops. A new approach to classifying and mapping agricultural land use for national water-quality assessment was developed by combining information on general land-use distribution with information on crop patterns from agricultural census data. Separate classification systems were developed for row crop and for orchards, vineyards, and nurseries. These two general categories of agricultural land are distinguished from each other in the land-use classification system used in the U.S. Geological Survey national Land Use and Land Cover database.