AcreValue’s land cover maps provide valuable insights into the usage of properties across the lower 48 US states. Leveraging data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service's Cropland Data Layer (CDL) survey, these maps offer detailed observations of various crops and land uses. This feature is essential for farmers, developers, and other AcreValue users who need to understand how a property is utilized.
How the Land Cover Maps are Made
AcreValue's land cover maps are sourced from the Cropland Data Layer (CDL) provided by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The CDL is produced using moderate-resolution satellite imagery collected throughout the growing season and extensive agricultural ground reference data. The land cover maps have a resolution of 30 meters.
The accuracy of the land cover classifications are evaluated using independent validations data sets generated from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Common Land Unit (CLU) program data (agricultural categories) and the USGS National Land Cover Database (NLCD) program data (non-agricultural categories). The data accuracy is generally greater than 90% correct for the major crop-specific land cover categories with testing done on extensive ground reference data.
Types of Land Cover Categories Available
There are over 130 distinct land cover categories present within the dataset. The full list of land cover categories is below:
Cropland
- Alfalfa
- Almonds
- Apples
- Apricots
- Asparagus
- Barley
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Buckwheat
- Cabbage
- Camelina
- Caneberries
- Canola
- Cantaloupes
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cherries
- Chick Peas
- Christmas Trees
- Citrus
- Corn
- Cotton
- Cranberries
- Cucumbers
- Double Crop
- Dry Beans
- Eggplants
- Fallow
- Flaxseed
- Garlic
- Gourds
- Grapes
- Greens
- Herbs
- Honeydew Melons
- Hops
- Lentils
- Lettuce
- Millet
- Mint
- Misc Vegs & Fruits
- Mustard
- Nectarines
- Oats
- Olives
- Onions
- Oranges
- Other Crops
- Other Small Grains
- Other Tree Crops
- Peaches
- Peanuts
- Pears
- Peas
- Pecans
- Peppers
- Pistachios
- Plums
- Pomegranates
- Popcorn
- Potatoes
- Prunes
- Pumpkins
- Radishes
- Rape Seed
- Rice
- Rye
- Safflower
- Sorghum
- Soybeans
- Speltz
- Squash
- Strawberries
- Sugarbeets
- Sugarcane
- Sunflowers
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tobacco
- Tomatoes
- Triticale
- Turnips
- Vetch
- Walnuts
- Watermelons
- Wheat
- Wheat
- Winter Wheat
Developed Land
- Developed/Open Space
- Developed/Low Intensity
- Developed/Med Intensity
- Developed/High Intensity
Grassland & Pasture
- Grassland/Pasture
- Clover/Wildflowers
- Sod/Grass Seed
- Switchgrass
- Other Hay/Non Alfalfa
Non-Cropland
- Aquaculture
- Barren
- Deciduous Forest
- Developed/Open Space
- Evergreen Forest
- Forest
- Herbaceous Wetlands
- Mixed Forest
- Shrubland
- Wetlands
- Woody Wetlands
- Water
To help users simplify their land search capabilities, AcreValue also groups land cover types into four main categories in certain search filters:
- Cropland: Includes fields used for growing crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and other agricultural products.
- Forest: Encompasses areas covered with trees and forested land, which could be used for timber production or left as natural reserves.
- Grassland/Pasture: Areas utilized for grazing livestock, including natural grasslands and pastures.
- Non-Cropland: This category includes urban areas, wetlands, water bodies, and other land not primarily used for agriculture or forestry.
Land cover data goes back to 2008, and the last 5 years is provided for most properties on AcreValue. Users can also view regional and national land cover maps for the 3 most recent years available.
How Land Cover Maps Help AcreValue Users
The land cover maps are a crucial tool for a variety of users:
- Realtors: Understand the land use to better market properties and match clients with suitable properties based on their specific needs and preferences.
- Appraisers: Accurately appraise property values by considering the current land use and potential for future development or agricultural productivity.
- Farmers: Determine the suitability of land for specific crops and plan crop rotations.
- Developers: Assess land for potential development projects by understanding its current use and surrounding environment.
- Hunters and Outdoor Enthusiasts: Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts can identify areas suitable for their activities, such as forested areas for hunting or open spaces for other recreational purposes.
- Investors: Evaluate land for investment purposes, considering its current use and potential for future returns.
- Conservationists: Identify areas of ecological importance and plan conservation efforts.
How Can Users Access the Land Cover Maps?
Accessing the land cover maps on AcreValue is straightforward:
- Log in to AcreValue: Ensure you are logged into your AcreValue account.
- Navigate to the map: Go to the map section of AcreValue.
- Map Layers menu: Locate the Map Layers menu at the top left corner of the map.
- Select Land Cover: Within the Map Layers menu, find the option to show or hide Land Cover. Toggle this option to display the hiking trails on the map.
- Explore: Pan, zoom, and explore the map to see detailed information about water bodies across your area of interest.
For detailed insights, users can select individual properties or sale records to view the land cover maps specific to those areas.