The National Mapping Division performs research in land surface analysis, which includes characterizing variables and their patterns on the land surface, increasing our understanding of the processes that influence those variables and produce those patterns, and predicting the effects of physical, biological, and cultural influences on those land surface patterns.

A program of land surface analysis includes mapping the existing state of the land surface (current land use data), monitoring the changing conditions (historical and current land use data), analyzing the changes (including developing tools and techniques to do the analysis), modeling the systems that affect land surface changes, and developing predictive capabilities.

Land surface analysis research provides a key component in addressing land use planning issues such as:

• Which lands are vulnerable to surface processes such as erosion?
• What lands are eligible to absorb population and employment growth?
• Which lands are susceptible to acid mine drainage?
• What lands are suitable for future development based on the presence of natural resources such as aggregates or water?
• How long will it take for the land surface to recover from vegetation loss due to erosion?
• Which lands should be zoned for non-development or receive higher insurance rates due to exposure to geologic hazards?
• Which lands are most vulnerable to urbanization?