Land Use/Land Cover GIS data is photo-interpreted from current digital orthophotos, primarily by local Water Management Districts. The methods used differ by agency, but generally older land use/land cover layers are brought into GIS and compared to the current imagery. Changes are noted and reviewed, and ultimately updated within the GIS data. Land use classifications should adhere to the statewide classifications set forth with the Florida Land Use, Land Cover Classification System (FLUCCS).
To learn more about individual methods used by each Water Management District for their most recent data, review the GIS metadata below:
SJRWMD 2014 Land Use and Land Cover
SWFWMD 2017 Land Use/Cover Classifications
Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System, a document prepared by the Florida Department of Transportation.