What is a topographic survey used to map?

A topographic survey is specifically designed to capture the elevation of the land and the location of both natural and artificial features. This type of survey generates a detailed representation of the terrain, indicating variations in elevation through contour lines, which can help in understanding how the land slopes and how water might flow across it. It includes man-made structures such as buildings, roads, and other developments in addition to natural landscape features like trees, rivers, and hills.

By focusing on the comprehensive mapping of features, topographic surveys are crucial for various applications, including construction, land development, and environmental planning. They provide the necessary information to assess how existing features interact with the land's topography and help inform decisions about land use and development.

In contrast, while other choices touch on important aspects of land assessment, they do not encapsulate the full scope of a topographic survey. For example, mapping only natural features or focusing solely on property boundaries fails to consider the complete picture that includes both natural and human-made elements.