Geoscientific maps for land-use planning — a review

This paper gives a brief overview of the most important models and suitable drafts for an evaluation of the natural environment's potential in different countries and explains the development, the state of the art and the main tendencies in the field of geoscientific maps. The basic prerequisites and ideas for the production of these maps will be introduced by five central questions. Their philosophy and system is described by means of a selected example (Geoscientific Map of the Natural Environment's Potential/FRG). This is followed by a discussion of the specific problems and main trends (e.g. computer application). After a general overview of lines of approach for further research and development, a definition and a recommendation for the compilation of geoscientific maps, relevant to planning, is given. The contribution of the geoscientist's complex and expert knowledge of regional planning and spatial management can only be made available by providing a comprehensive, clearly arranged cartographic presentation, which has to be simple, distinct, adaptable and capable of development.