Land use capability classification of wind and water erosion
Answers
Land use capability classification indicates the suitability of various kinds of soil for economic uses, mainly agriculture.
The classification devised for Indian conditions draws heavily from the classificatory approach followed by the United States Department of Agriculture. The guiding principles for this classification are the limitations imposed on the sustained use of soils by the basic characteristics of soils in combination with climate, topography,” surface drainage, vegetation cover, erodibility and other natural hazards.
There are eight land capability classes which are indicated by Roman numbers I to VIIL Then, there are capability sub-classes and capability units. The classes I to IV include lands suited for cultivation and should be maintained under natural vegetation of forests or grasses.
This scheme of land capability classification is based on economic returns in terms of agricultural output because agriculture is the most widespread and basic occupation in India.