Land capability classification is a very complex, time-consuming task involving interdisciplinary knowledge and a huge amount of data. The objective of this paper was to develop a tool (CAP_USO), using an expert system technique, to determine land capability. The system was developed with knowledge acquired from literature and interviews with experts of these field. The classes and subclasses were determined taking into account twelve factors presenting restriction to land use and land capability was also determined by seven experts. The system validation showed that CAP_USO was more rigorous than the experts in the determination of land capability. The agreement among the results was reduced with the increment of land slope. Divergences between the experts and the present tool had a slight effect on land capability class since. CAP_USO is an open system that allows changes and adjustments according to local conditions. The technique was efficient, allowing a quick determination of land capability thus contributing to a faster decision making - process in land use planning.
land use capability; land classification; expert system