Agricultural Land |
Land used for farming, including crops and livestock |
50000 |
Midwest USA |
1990 |
200000000 |
Food Production |
Crop rotation, Organic farming |
Forest Land |
Land covered by forest vegetation |
120000 |
Pacific Northwest USA |
1985 |
150000000 |
Timber and Recreation |
Sustainable forestry, Reforestation |
Urban Area |
Land designated for residential, commercial, and industrial use |
30000 |
Northeast USA |
2000 |
500000000 |
Housing and Business |
Green building, Urban planning |
Pastureland |
Land primarily used for grazing livestock |
70000 |
Southwest USA |
1975 |
100000000 |
Livestock production |
Rotational grazing |
Wetlands |
Areas where water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface |
15000 |
Southeast USA |
1995 |
50000000 |
Biodiversity, Water purification |
Wetland restoration, Conservation |
Desert Land |
Arid land with little vegetation |
20000 |
Southwest USA |
1980 |
1000000 |
Limited agriculture |
Water conservation techniques |
Mining Area |
Land used for extracting minerals and ores |
25000 |
Western USA |
1965 |
300000000 |
Mineral extraction |
Reclamation practices, Eco-mining |
Recreational Land |
Land designated for outdoor recreation |
10000 |
Rocky Mountains USA |
2010 |
30000000 |
Tourism and recreation |
Trail maintenance, Habitat conservation |
Commercial Land |
Land used for business and commercial enterprises |
20000 |
Sunbelt USA |
2015 |
250000000 |
Retail and services |
Sustainable business practices |
Industrial Land |
Land used for manufacturing and heavy industry |
15000 |
Great Lakes USA |
2005 |
400000000 |
Manufacturing |
Energy efficiency programs |
Transportation Infrastructure |
Land used for roads, railways, and airports |
18000 |
Various USA |
2000 |
100000000 |
Transportation |
Eco-friendly construction |
Residential Land |
Land designated for housing and related services |
40000 |
Various USA |
2008 |
600000000 |
Housing |
Energy efficient buildings |
Natural Reserves |
Land set aside for conservation and protection of natural habitats |
12000 |
Various USA |
1998 |
0 |
Biodiversity |
Conservation efforts, Education |
Coastal Land |
Land adjacent to coastlines, including beaches and estuaries |
25000 |
Gulf Coast USA |
1992 |
20000000 |
Tourism and conservation |
Flood management, Natural buffer restoration |
Rangeland |
Land on which the native vegetation is predominantly grasses, grass-like plants, and shrubs |
90000 |
West USA |
1970 |
80000000 |
Grazing and biodiversity |
Sustainable grazing programs |
Brownfields |
Previously developed land that is not currently in use |
12000 |
Various USA |
2001 |
50000000 |
Redevelopment |
Remediation processes |
Greenfield |
Undeveloped land that has not been previously built upon |
16000 |
Various USA |
2003 |
70000000 |
New development opportunities |
Environmental impact assessments |
Community Gardens |
Public plots of land used for growing food and plants by a community |
3000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2015 |
5000000 |
Local food production |
Organic practices |
Solar Farms |
Land used for solar energy production |
8000 |
Southwest USA |
2017 |
100000000 |
Renewable energy |
Sustainable energy practices |
Wind Farms |
Land used for wind energy production |
7000 |
Midwest USA |
2016 |
120000000 |
Renewable energy |
Wildlife protection strategies |
Buffer Zones |
Areas created to protect sensitive ecosystems |
4000 |
Various USA |
2004 |
0 |
Habitat protection |
Preservation efforts |
Farmland |
Land used specifically for the production of food, fiber, and other agricultural products |
80000 |
Great Plains USA |
1960 |
250000000 |
Food Production |
Conservation tillage |
Community Forests |
Forests managed by the community for local benefits |
15000 |
Northeast USA |
2012 |
10000000 |
Timber and recreation |
Management plans |
Game Reserves |
Protected areas for wildlife conservation |
18000 |
Southern USA |
1995 |
2000000 |
Wildlife habitat |
Conservation programs |
Research Parks |
Land used for scientific research and technology development |
5000 |
Various USA |
2018 |
50000000 |
Innovation |
Sustainability research |
Parkland |
Public land used for parks and recreational facilities |
15000 |
Urban Areas USA |
1990 |
0 |
Public enjoyment |
Green space maintenance |
Unused Land |
Vacant land not being used for any specific purpose |
10000 |
Various USA |
2020 |
0 |
Potential development |
Community planning |
Elevation Landscapes |
High elevation areas, often mountainous or hilly |
25000 |
Rocky Mountains USA |
1970 |
70000000 |
Tourism and conservation |
Ecosystem preservation |
Mangroves |
Coastal intertidal areas of dense mangrove trees |
2000 |
Southeast USA |
2000 |
5000000 |
Coastal protection |
Restoration efforts |
Buffer Strips |
Vegetation planted along waterways to reduce runoff |
4000 |
Various USA |
2005 |
0 |
Water quality improvement |
Planting native species |
Quarries |
Land used for extracting stone, gravel, or sand |
6000 |
Northeast USA |
1960 |
50000000 |
Construction materials |
Reclamation efforts |
Urban Forests |
Forests located within urban areas, contributing to air quality and aesthetics |
3000 |
Urban Areas USA |
1998 |
20000000 |
Environmental health |
Urban greening |
Non-timber Forest Products Land |
Forest areas used for products other than timber |
5000 |
Northwest USA |
2008 |
10000000 |
Natural products |
Sustainable harvesting |
Heritage Sites |
Sites preserved for their cultural, historical, or archaeological significance |
2000 |
Various USA |
1995 |
0 |
Cultural preservation |
Management strategies |
Fishing Grounds |
Areas designated for commercial or recreational fishing |
15000 |
Coastal USA |
1980 |
60000000 |
Fishing industry |
Sustainable fishing practices |
Biofuel Production Land |
Land used for growing plants used to produce biofuels |
7000 |
Plains USA |
2012 |
30000000 |
Renewable energy |
Sustainable farming |
Irrigated Land |
Land that is artificially watered for crop production |
50000 |
Western USA |
1993 |
250000000 |
Food Production |
Efficient irrigation systems |
Research Institutions |
Land housing research institutions and laboratories |
2000 |
Various USA |
2018 |
80000000 |
Scientific research |
Interdisciplinary study areas |
Wildlife Corridors |
Land that connects habitats for wildlife movement |
3000 |
Various USA |
2011 |
0 |
Wildlife conservation |
Ecosystem connectivity |
Fisheries |
Areas used for raising and harvesting fish |
13000 |
Coastal USA |
1965 |
55000000 |
Aquaculture |
Sustainability in aquaculture |
Restoration Sites |
Land used for habitat restoration projects |
8000 |
Various USA |
2007 |
0 |
Environmental restoration |
Rehabilitation efforts |
Landfills |
Areas designated for waste disposal |
12000 |
Various USA |
1980 |
0 |
Waste management |
Recycling initiatives |
Urban Agriculture |
Agricultural practices within urban areas for food production |
2500 |
Urban Areas USA |
2005 |
3000000 |
Local food systems |
Permaculture practices |
Natural Parks |
Protected areas primarily for conservation and recreation |
30000 |
Various USA |
1990 |
0 |
Public enjoyment |
Conservation strategies |
Carbon Sink Areas |
Land designated to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere |
5000 |
Various USA |
2015 |
0 |
Climate mitigation |
Reforestation efforts |
Tidal Marshes |
Coastal wetlands flooded and drained by saltwater |
6000 |
Southeast USA |
1990 |
10000000 |
Biodiversity |
Wetland conservation |
Grasslands |
Open areas dominated by grasses and few trees |
70000 |
Great Plains USA |
1965 |
40000000 |
Biodiversity |
Conservation grazing |
Alpine Lands |
High-altitude areas usually above tree line |
4000 |
Rocky Mountains USA |
1980 |
2000000 |
Ecosystem research |
Habitat protection |
Community Playgrounds |
Land used for children's recreational play areas |
1500 |
Urban Areas USA |
2003 |
5000000 |
Public enjoyment |
Safety measures |
Agroforestry Systems |
Land where trees and shrubs are grown around crops |
8000 |
Midwest USA |
2001 |
20000000 |
Food and timber production |
Polyculture methods |
Seed Bank Facilities |
Land housing facilities for storing seeds for conservation |
2000 |
Various USA |
2012 |
5000000 |
Genetic diversity |
Preservation practices |
Invasive Species Control Areas |
Land designated for controlling invasive species |
2500 |
Various USA |
2018 |
0 |
Biodiversity restoration |
Control strategies |
Education and Training Facilities |
Land used for educational purposes including training farmers and land managers |
3000 |
Various USA |
2017 |
7000000 |
Education |
Sustainable practices education |
Preserve Areas |
Protected lands reserved for conservation of wildlife |
15000 |
Various USA |
1990 |
0 |
Ecosystem conservation |
Management plans |
Groundwater Recharge Areas |
Land designated to help replenish underground aquifers |
50000 |
Various USA |
2005 |
0 |
Water supply |
Natural filtration processes |
Brownfield Redevelopment Sites |
Previously utilized land being repurposed for new use |
2000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2003 |
40000000 |
Urban development |
Remediation projects |
Community Medicine Gardens |
Land for growing medicinal plants by communities |
1000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2019 |
1000000 |
Health and wellbeing |
Ethnobotany education |
Agroecology Research Sites |
Land for studying sustainable agricultural practices |
5000 |
Rural Areas USA |
2018 |
5000000 |
Research and development |
Permaculture trials |
Native Plant Reserves |
Areas dedicated to preserving and promoting native plant species |
4000 |
Various USA |
2000 |
0 |
Biodiversity |
Conservation efforts |
Sustainable Timber Plantations |
Land used for growing timber sustainably |
8000 |
Southeast USA |
2012 |
60000000 |
Timber production |
Sustainable logging practices |
Wilderness Areas |
Land preserved in its natural condition for recreational use |
15000 |
Various USA |
1985 |
0 |
Recreational activities |
Minimum impact policies |
Pollinator Gardens |
Land planted with flowers to attract and support pollinators |
2000 |
Various USA |
2017 |
1000000 |
Biodiversity |
Native planting practices |
Experimental Farms |
Land used for testing new farming techniques |
3000 |
Various USA |
2014 |
15000000 |
Agricultural research |
Innovation methodologies |
Smart Cities |
Urban areas designed with improved connectivity and sustainability |
25000 |
Global Cities |
2020 |
1000000000 |
Urban living |
Smart technology |
Restoration of Industrial Sites |
Land being rehabilitated from industrial use |
2000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2005 |
30000000 |
Environmental restoration |
Reclaiming land |
Carbon Farming Projects |
Land used for practices that enhance carbon sequestration |
6000 |
Various USA |
2020 |
0 |
Climate action |
Soil health management |
Green Roofs |
Utilization of building rooftops for vegetation planting |
1000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2005 |
5000000 |
Urban green space |
Stormwater management |
Utility Easements |
Land used for utility lines and infrastructure |
1500 |
Various USA |
1980 |
0 |
Utility services |
Minimizing environmental impact |
Community Resilience Zones |
Areas designed to enhance community resilience to climate change |
8000 |
Various USA |
2015 |
0 |
Disaster preparedness |
Sustainable planning |
Integrated Coastal Management Areas |
Land managed to protect coastlines effectively |
3000 |
Coastal USA |
2017 |
0 |
Ecosystem services |
Erosion control |
Environmental Justice Areas |
Land designated to address environmental justice issues |
5000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2018 |
0 |
Social equity |
Community engagement |
Conservation Easements |
Legally protected lands to conserve natural resources |
20000 |
Various USA |
2005 |
0 |
Land use preservation |
Land stewardship |
Solar Rooftops |
Residential and commercial rooftops utilized for solar panels |
15000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2015 |
100000000 |
Renewable energy |
Energy independence |
Drone Survey Areas |
Lands being surveyed and monitored using drone technology |
5000 |
Various USA |
2020 |
0 |
Land management |
Remote sensing |
Compost Facilities |
Land used for composting organic waste |
3000 |
Various USA |
2010 |
2000000 |
Waste management |
Organic recycling |
Cultivated Landscapes |
Land that is being actively cultivated for agriculture |
70000 |
Various USA |
1980 |
400000000 |
Food production |
Sustainable systems |
Agro-tourism Sites |
Land used to promote tourism in agricultural contexts |
5000 |
Farm Areas USA |
2015 |
10000000 |
Tourism |
Local engagement |
Energy Farms |
Land dedicated to sustainable energy production from biomass |
20000 |
Various USA |
2016 |
50000000 |
Renewable energy |
Sustainable harvesting |
Peri-urban Farms |
Agricultural land located on the outskirts of urban areas |
10000 |
Urban Fringe USA |
2010 |
40000000 |
Food supply |
Urban agriculture practices |
Flood Plains |
Land that is periodically flooded, often rich in biodiversity |
15000 |
Southeast USA |
1985 |
0 |
Habitat for species |
Flood management |
Suburban Green Spaces |
Parks and recreational areas in suburban environments |
20000 |
Suburban USA |
1995 |
0 |
Outdoor activities |
Community involvement |
Biodiversity Hotspots |
Areas with significant levels of biodiversity that are under threat |
8000 |
Tropical Areas USA |
2005 |
0 |
Conservation priority |
Biodiversity conservation |
Urban Heat Islands |
Urban areas hotter than their rural surroundings due to human activities |
15000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2010 |
0 |
Climate adaptation |
Cool roofing |
Fishing Farms |
Land used for fish farming and aquaculture |
3000 |
Coastal USA |
1995 |
20000000 |
Food production |
Sustainable aquaculture |
Wildflower Areas |
Designated areas for the growth of wildflowers to support pollinators |
2000 |
Various USA |
2018 |
0 |
Pollinator support |
Native plants |
Vertical Farms |
Indoor farms using vertical space to grow crops |
2500 |
Urban Areas USA |
2020 |
50000000 |
Urban agriculture |
Hydroponics |
Education Trails |
Land used for educational walking trails to learn about local ecosystems |
4000 |
Various USA |
2015 |
0 |
Education |
Interpretive programs |
Open Space Land |
Unstructured land open for community use, often left undisturbed |
10000 |
Urban Areas USA |
1990 |
0 |
Public enjoyment |
Environmental education |
Cultural Landscapes |
Land landscapes influenced by cultural practices |
30000 |
Rural Areas USA |
2000 |
0 |
Cultural heritage |
Conservation efforts |
Monitoring and Assessment Sites |
Land for environmental monitoring and assessments |
5000 |
Various USA |
2020 |
0 |
Research |
Long-term observation |
Tribal Lands |
Lands governed by Native American tribes |
50000 |
Various USA |
1970 |
0 |
Cultural preservation |
Land stewardship |
Shared Public Spaces |
Land designed for use by community members, such as squares or plazas |
8000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2011 |
0 |
Public engagement |
Event hosting |
Water Bodies |
Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs considered part of land use |
20000 |
Various USA |
1990 |
0 |
Water supply and recreation |
Water conservation |
Peatlands |
Wetlands containing peat and storing carbon |
15000 |
Various USA |
1998 |
0 |
Carbon storage |
Restoration practices |
Community Energy Projects |
Lands used for local energy generation projects |
5000 |
Various USA |
2015 |
50000000 |
Renewable energy |
Community investment |
Deciduous Forests |
Forest regions where trees shed leaves in seasonal cycles |
40000 |
Central USA |
1980 |
100000000 |
Timber and recreation |
Sustainable management |
Ice and Snow-covered Lands |
Lands covered in ice and snow for significant periods |
30000 |
Alaska USA |
1990 |
0 |
Climate studies |
Research on climate change |
Remote Sensing Areas |
Lands being monitored using satellite or aerial imagery |
7000 |
Various USA |
2018 |
0 |
Environmental monitoring |
Data analysis |
Agritourism Sites |
Areas where tourists can engage in agricultural activities |
8000 |
Farm Areas USA |
2010 |
15000000 |
Education and leisure |
Sustainable tourism |
Food Forests |
Land designed to mimic a natural forest but produce food |
5000 |
Various USA |
2015 |
20000000 |
Food production |
Permaculture principles |
Urban Stream Restoration Areas |
Land for restoring natural streams in urban settings |
3000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2016 |
0 |
Wildlife habitat |
Water quality improvement |
Climate Adaptation Areas |
Land set aside for initiatives to adapt to changing climate |
12000 |
Coastal USA |
2015 |
0 |
Resilience planning |
Community involvement |
Agropolitan Zones |
Urban areas focused on agricultural innovations within cities |
15000 |
Various USA |
2018 |
50000000 |
Urban farming |
Innovation in agriculture |
Algal Bloom Monitoring Areas |
Lands designated for observing algal blooms in water bodies |
2000 |
Coastal USA |
2020 |
0 |
Water quality monitoring |
Environmental management |
Wetland Mitigation Areas |
Land set aside to compensate for wetland loss |
3000 |
Various USA |
1995 |
0 |
Ecological restoration |
Wetland banking |
Microclimate Areas |
Lands with unique climate conditions due to topography |
2000 |
Various USA |
2015 |
0 |
Ecological studies |
Research on local climates |
Ecological Research Sites |
Land dedicated to ecological research and studies |
5000 |
Various USA |
2020 |
0 |
Scientific investigations |
Field studies |
Trophic Cascade Zones |
Land areas used to study the effects of predators on ecosystems |
10000 |
Various USA |
2019 |
0 |
Biodiversity studies |
Conservation implications |
Community Resilience Gardens |
Urban spaces fostering community resilience through plant growth |
2000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2018 |
1000000 |
Community engagement |
Food sovereignty |
Fire Management Zones |
Land areas designated for appropriate fire management practices |
10000 |
Western USA |
1990 |
0 |
Wildfire management |
Controlled burns |
Climate-smart Agriculture Sites |
Land used to adopt agricultural practices resilient to climate change |
5000 |
Various USA |
2017 |
20000000 |
Food security |
Climate adaptation methods |
Indigenous Lands |
Lands where Indigenous peoples practice traditional land uses |
40000 |
Various USA |
varies |
0 |
Cultural preservation |
Land sovereignty |
Natural Springs |
Land containing water springs with significant ecological value |
3000 |
Various USA |
1990 |
0 |
Ecosystem support |
Water conservation |
Collective Farms |
Farms managed collectively by groups or communities |
10000 |
Various USA |
2010 |
15000000 |
Local food systems |
Cooperative practices |
Phytoremediation Areas |
Lands used for cleaning up contaminated sites using plants |
2000 |
Various USA |
2016 |
0 |
Contaminated soil management |
Restoration practices |
Biophilic Urban Areas |
Land areas designed to promote the personal connection between people and nature |
25000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2018 |
20000000 |
Urban wellbeing |
Integration of nature |
Regenerative Agriculture Sites |
Land practices enhancing biodiversity and soil health |
3500 |
Various USA |
2019 |
0 |
Food production |
Holistic farming techniques |
Green Infrastructure Areas |
Land planned for sustainable infrastructure with green elements |
20000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2020 |
50000000 |
Urban development |
Stormwater management |
Sustainable Agricultural Lands |
Land managed under sustainable agriculture practices |
12000 |
Midwest USA |
2015 |
30000000 |
Food production |
Biodiversity enhancement |
Recycling Facilities |
Land designated for processing recyclable materials |
10000 |
Various USA |
2005 |
0 |
Waste management |
Circular economy |
Native Grasslands |
Areas of native grasses that support diverse ecosystems |
25000 |
Plains USA |
1980 |
0 |
Wildlife habitat |
Conservation grazing |
National Parks |
Protected areas preserved for public enjoyment and ecosystem conservation |
60000 |
Various USA |
1960 |
0 |
Recreation |
Wildlife protection |
Land for Solar Microgrids |
Land dedicated to small scale solar energy systems |
1000 |
Various USA |
2020 |
5000000 |
Renewable energy |
Decentralized energy |
Community Marketplaces |
Land used for markets providing local goods and services |
3000 |
Urban Areas USA |
2015 |
5000000 |
Local economy |
Community support |
Tropical Rainforests |
High biodiversity forests located in tropical regions |
80000 |
Southern USA |
1980 |
150000000 |
Biodiversity |
Conservation initiatives |
Renewable Energy Zones |
Land identified for development of renewable energy sources |
40000 |
Western USA |
2019 |
200000000 |
Energy development |
Sustainable practices |
Community Exchange Programs |
Land hosting programs for skill and resource exchanges |
1500 |
Rural Areas USA |
2016 |
2000000 |
Community building |
Volunteerism |
Rainwater Harvesting Areas |
Lands designed to collect and store rainwater |
2000 |
Various USA |
2015 |
0 |
Water conservation |
Sustainable practices |
Biomass Production Areas |
Land specifically cultivated for biomass energy production |
30000 |
Agricultural Areas USA |
2017 |
100000000 |
Renewable energy |
Sustainable growth |