What does the term "Servient Estate" refer to in land surveying?

The term "Servient Estate" specifically refers to the tract of land that contains an easement, meaning it is the property burdened by the easement's legal rights held by another party. When an easement is established, the servient estate allows the dominant estate—the parcel benefiting from the easement—to utilize a specific portion or aspect of it, such as access for a road or utility line. Thus, the servient estate is significant in property law and land surveying because it defines the limits and rights associated with easements, making it essential for surveyors to understand these relationships when delineating property boundaries and easements.

The other options define different concepts or misinterpret the meaning of the servient estate. For instance, the tract of land that benefits from an easement is referred to as the dominant estate. A parcel of land lost to erosion does not directly relate to easement definitions or land surveying terms, and legal documents delineating land boundaries typically refer to surveys, plats, or deeds rather than the servient estate itself. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for land surveyors in carrying out their work accurately and effectively.