What is the implication of a base line in surveying?

A base line in surveying plays a critical role as a reference line from which measurements are made for legal descriptions of land. These lines help to create a framework for mapping and delineating properties within a given area. The use of base lines allows for the systematic division of land into specific sections, townships, and ranges in accordance with the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). This organization is essential for establishing accurate and clear legal descriptions that are used in property deeds, facilitating the transfer of ownership and the resolution of property disputes.

In contrast to this, elevation is determined using different techniques that involve contour lines or benchmarks rather than base lines. Property borders may be defined by various other means, such as surveys and metes and bounds, rather than by a baseline itself. While agricultural suitability is an important consideration in land surveying, it is determined through soil assessment and environmental studies rather than through the basic framework provided by base lines.