Land use data generalization indices considering scale and land use pattern effects

Abstract

Land use generalization indices are critical for producing normative multi-scale land use databases and maps, but there is still not a national criterion for these indices in China. Previous studies on land use data generalization indices often neglect macro-indices such as area proportion of land use types and map load, and also ignore landscape effects on land use generalization indices. Here we constructed an index system of land use data generalization from macro- and micro-perspectives, and examined scale and landscape effects on land use data generalization indices based on the countrywide multi-scale land use data samples. We formulated relationships between land use data generalization indices and both scale and land use pattern metrics. We defined thresholds of land use data generalization indices on scales of 1:50000, 1:100000, 1:250000, and 1:500000. We verified our methodology and index thresholds through generalizing a county land use database.