Thematic map information, which is made by Landsat MSS data processing, will be used as explanatory factors for the regional analysis or land evaluation. However, new problems will occur in the case of their use, derived from discussions on their production process.
(1) Information loss through the summarization process
(2) Applicability of the model used on both its precision and objective
(3) Spatial non-uniformity of predicted results
The actual data for the evaluation of agricultural land suitability, some of which are thought to include the above problems, are analyzed in order to examine the relation between the suitability score from the farsighted point and its evaluation factors including raw MSS data. The results are as follows.
(1) MSS data devaluate almost all of the other factors and contribute largely to explaining the suitability score.
(2) The suitability score in this case study can be explained mainly by the geomorphological data, estimated Biomass weight originating in MSS data, and MSS data.
(3) Among thematic information obtained by MSS data processing, there are such things similar to the existing map information but different, or as interpreted to be newly defined. Such information must start from checking whether it can be used or not. Moreover, when its contents are qualitative, the appreciation of categorization or ranking must be checked.
All of the considerations mentioned above can show one method for evaluating agricultural land suitability by using MSS data. This method has a merit of self-selecting effective factors at the analytical stage, and therefore, will be considered as desirable especially in developing countries with less information concerning land conditions.
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