The article discusses various methods for assessing the suitability of land, namely the land assessment methodology developed by the author, foreign experience in land assessment, as well as experience in land assessment in the Russian Federation. The choice of one of the methods is the most important mechanism that promotes the rational and efficient use of land. The vast area of soil cover in Russia and the diversity of soils determine their decisive importance in regulating the processes of global changes in the natural environment and the country’s food potential. Since soil resources are reserves of high-quality, fertile land suitable for use in agriculture and forestry as a means of production, the article also shows the role of soils and soil cover in the spatial development of territories, one of the assessment tools for which is the calculation of the environment-forming potential (EFP) of the territory. It is recommended to introduce the “Territory TFP” indicator into land monitoring systems, primarily agricultural lands. destination, which will allow identifying the most valuable lands with high potential for soil fertility and reproduction.