The land is a finite resource, which means that when land is taken for one use, it has to come from land used for a different purpose. As human populations move and change, information about land use can guide decisions and ensure that land is used fairly and its quality is not compromised.
When populations move into cities from rural areas, it is called urbanization. Urbanization typically presents a need for land-use change. With more people comes the need for more housing and jobs, which could mean that agricultural or natural recreational land use must be converted to residential, business, industrial, and transportational land use. There is also land designated for recreational use (parks, playgrounds, etcetera.)
City planners and other agencies study how and where people settle to make predictions and recommendations for future land use. Regulations and zoning laws are based on this information and guide proper land use.
Zoning and regulating how land is used can protect the quality of an area, whether urban or rural. For example, land zoned for residential development may be best when situated in an area away from large agricultural or industrial zones. On the other hand, commercial land use may be well suited to be near residential land.
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The land's topography and any special or unique features may also guide how the land is used. The location of flood plains, the direction water flows, and where water collects within a watershed also guide and predict how land is used. Sometimes conflicts over how land should be used arise. For example, agriculture and industrial land use may need to be near a water source. Still, because these increase the likelihood of water pollution, they would be better located away from water sources. Additionally, recreational land and land with special beauty or significance may require increased protection to preserve it for that use.
The land use information is obtained through the study of satellite and aerial photos and direct, on-the-ground surveys. Recognizing and understanding how land is used can help land agencies make predictions, prepare for the future, create efficient and safe settlements, and protect the environment.
Effects of Land Use on the Environment
Studying the effects of land use on the environment guides how to protect it. The geography and geology of the land and the location of water and wildlife habitat are considered in land use planning.
Urbanization has led to the destruction and degradation of natural habitat and water quality. When land is developed for urban use (residential, industrial, business, or transportation), it must be taken from land being used for something else. It may be necessary to cut down trees, drain wetlands, or destroy native vegetation to make way for residences and other forms of urbanized land use. Invasive species and pollution of land and water can degrade the environment. When land is used in urbanization, it typically results in greater land covered in concrete impervious to water. Therefore, rain does not soak into the ground but instead runs off quickly, leading to an overflow of storm drains, flash flooding, erosion of soil, and pollution. This circ*mstance can change water flow through its natural watershed and disrupt entire natural ecosystems and native species.
Pollution of land and water can also occur due to chemicals used by industries such as mining, manufacturing, refining, etcetera. Pollution can also originate with businesses, agricultural land use, and residential use, which is one reason why public and protected land are subject to strict usage rules.
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