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Land Use
Do you ever think about how the surrounding land is used? Why some areas of land are converted to agriculture or why some are kept natural? Why are others industrial or urban areas? The way land is used is important to society, but why is this? This explanation will expand on what land use is, the different types of land use, and the negatives of varying land use. Keep reading more to deepen your understanding of land use.
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- Agricultural Geography
- Agricultural Hearths
- Agricultural Production Regions
- Agricultural Revolutions
- Agriculture and Climate
- Agriculture and Pollution
- Agrochemicals
- Community Supported Agriculture
- Extensive Farming
- Feeding the World
- Food Desert
- Food Insecurity
- Food Movements
- Green Revolution
- Impact of Technology on Agriculture
- Intensive Farming
- Irrigation
- Market Gardening
- Mechanized Farming
- Mediterranean Agriculture
- Monocropping
- Organic Farming
- Origins of Agriculture
- Pastoral Nomadism
- Plantation Agriculture
- Ranching
- Second Agricultural Revolution
- Shifting Cultivation
- Slash and Burn Agriculture
- Small Family Farm
- Soil Salinization
- Terrace Farming
- Tropical Climates
- Types of Agriculture
- Urban Farming
- Von Thunen Model
- Cultural Geography
- Acculturation
- Aging Populations
- Contagious Diffusion
- Contemporary Cultural Diffusion
- Creolization
- Cultural Differences
- Cultural Hearths
- Cultural Landscapes
- Cultural Patterns
- Cultural Traits
- Definition of Culture
- Diffusion of Religion
- Ethnic Neighborhoods
- Ethnic Religions
- Hierarchical Diffusion
- Lingua Franca
- Placemaking
- Relocation Diffusion
- Sense of Place
- Time-Space Convergence
- Universalizing Religions
- Economic Geography
- Climate Change and Sustainability
- Commodity Dependence
- Debt Crisis
- Economic Sectors
- Ecotourism
- Gender Inequality Index
- Global Financial Crises
- Health Care Access
- Human Development Index
- Infant Mortality Rate
- Informal Economy
- International Lending Agencies
- Just in Time Delivery
- Literacy Rate
- Mercosur
- Natural Resource Depletion
- Primary Sector
- Reproductive Health
- Rostow Model
- Secondary Sector
- Sustainable Development Goal 12
- Sustainable Development Goal 14
- Sustainable Development Goal 15
- Sustainable Development Goal 2
- Sustainable Development Goal 6
- Sustainable Development Goal 7
- Sustainable Development Goal 8
- Tertiary Sector
- UN Sustainable Development Goals
- World Systems Theory
- Introduction to Human Geography
- Distance Decay
- Environmental Determinism
- Flows
- Formal Regions
- Functional Regions
- GIS
- GPS
- Geospatial Technologies
- Human-Environmental Interaction
- Land Use
- Map Projections
- Nature and Society
- Perceptual Region
- Possibilism
- Reference Maps
- Regional Boundaries
- Remote Sensing
- Thematic Maps
- Time-Space Compression
- Travel Narratives
- Political Geography
- ASEAN
- Arctic Council
- Berlin Conference
- Boundary Disputes
- Choke Point
- Demilitarized Zone
- Devolution in Belgium
- Devolution in Canada
- Devolution in Nigeria
- Devolution in Spain
- Devolution in Sudan
- Disintegration of States
- Ethnic Cleansing
- Ethnic Nationalist Movement
- Ethnic Separatism
- Federal State
- Function of Political Boundaries
- Indian Reservations in the US
- Irredentism
- Nation vs Nation State
- Neocolonialism
- Political Boundaries
- Redistricting and Gerrymandering
- Shatterbelt
- Stateless Nation
- Supranationalism
- Territoriality
- Terrorism
- UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
- Unitary State
- Voting Districts
- Population Geography
- Agricultural Population Density
- Arithmetic Population Density
- Asylum Seekers
- Carrying Capacity
- Causes of Migration
- Consequences of Aging Population
- Cultural Effects of Migration
- Dependency Ratio
- Effects of Migration
- Epidemiological Transition
- Fertility, Mortality and Migration
- Forced Migration
- Guest Workers
- Internal Migration
- Internally Displaced Persons
- Malthusian Theory
- Natural Increase
- Physiological Population Density
- Population Composition
- Population Policies
- Pull Factors of Migration
- Push Factors of Migration
- Ravenstein's Laws of Migration
- Refugees
- Rural to Urban Migration
- Slavery
- Transhumance
- Transnational Migration
- Voluntary Migration
- Urban Geography
- African City Model
- Air Quality
- Bid Rent Theory
- Brownfield Redevelopment
- Central Place Theory
- Challenges of Urban Changes
- Challenges to Urban Sustainability
- Concentric Zone Model
- Disamenity Zones
- Environmental Injustice
- Galactic City Model
- Gentrification
- Green Belt
- Hoyt Sector Model
- Infill
- Internal Structure of Cities
- Mixed Land Use
- Multiple Nuclei Model
- New Urbanism
- Primate City
- Rank Size Rule
- Redlining and Blockbusting
- Squatter Settlements
- Suburban Sprawl
- Sustainable Design
- Transit Oriented Development
- Urban Renewal
- Urban Sustainability
- Water Quality
- World Cities
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Do you ever think about how the surrounding land is used? Why some areas of land are converted to agriculture or why some are kept natural? Why are others industrial or urban areas? The way land is used is important to society, but why is this? This explanation will expand on what land use is, the different types of land use, and the negatives of varying land use. Keep reading more to deepen your understanding of land use.
Land Use Definition
Let's explore the definition of land use.
Land use is how society uses and modifies the land to suit its needs.
Land use is a human-environmental interaction. Humans use the land provided by the natural environment, but humans also modify the land, thus human interaction with the environment takes place.
What can land use tell us about society? It can tell us how developed a society is, depending on what type of land use is chosen for the land. For example, a more developed society would contain a higher amount of urban land use. Additionally, we can also see the effect the type of land use has on the environment, therefore showing us society's impact on the environment.
Land Use Geography
The land is changed by society for specific purposes. Whether the use is to provide food, provide shelter, utilize the land for production and manufacturing, or use the land as a recreational area, the land is utilized in a variety of methods. Let's take a look at different types of land use:
Land Use Type | Explanation | Example |
Agricultural
| This is altering the land to produce varying agricultural products for human consumption, such as growing crops or keeping livestock. | Wheat field. |
Industrial | Industrial land use includes the production and manufacturing of different goods, it includes large-scale sites. | Factories. |
Commercial | Commercial land use is converting land to be able to sell goods and services. | Shopping malls. |
Residential | Residential land use involves the building of properties to live in. | Housing estate. |
Recreational | This is converting land for human enjoyment, such as parks. | Stadiums. |
Transportation | Transportation land use is altering the land for various transportation methods. | Roads, highways, plane runways, railways. |
Table 1 |
Urban Land Use
Urban land use refers to the way we use the landscape in urban areas. Of the land use types, five are urban land uses. These include:
· Industrial
· Residential
· Recreational
· Commercial
· Transportation
Fig 2. Urban Land.
Urban land use can be identified as land for the use of retailing, management, manufacturing, residence/housing, or industrial activities. These activities are for the benefit of society and the economy and ultimately aim to increase the development of a location.
Land Use Models
In geography, land use was first used to gain an understanding of crop patterns in agricultural landscapes. From this came the Von Thünen model. This model explained the choices farmers made regarding crop choices and consequently agricultural land use patterns. The idea suggests that the two main factors in decided land use are accessibility (transportation cost) and the cost to rent the land in question. This model can be used for the reasoning of urban land use too. Therefore, the land use that produces the highest amount of rent with the best accessibility cost is where that land use will be found.
Take a look at our explanation of the Von Thünen Model to gain more in-depth knowledge of this model.
Importance of Land Use
Land use is extremely important to society. The way that land is used (or left unused) signifies the needs of society and whether or not these needs are adequately met. This means that the planning and management of land use are highly significant, as it ensures problems do not occur (this will be expanded on later in this explanation).
The United Nations has suggested that land use can contribute to the prevention of climate change impacts. This can be done by changing the land to benefit the environment. For example, the sustainable management of forests and other ecosystems, rather than converting land to urban use for societal benefits. This will help mitigate climate change because it can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released by maintaining forests and trees.
Land Use Policy
Land use policies are introduced to help manage the land. They are rules and regulations on what is allowed to be used for the land. They allow the planning and management of land types to determine which areas of land should be chosen for which uses of land.
The benefit of land use policies permits the development of societies (through managing urban land use), whilst also maintaining the environment and its natural resources.
Land Use Problems
Although land use provides a great opportunity for the development of society, it can also be the cause of some serious problems.
Firstly, land is a finite resource. On Earth, there is only so much land that society can utilize, and once this land has been used, there will be no more. This means that current land use must be managed responsibly and sustainably to ensure as a society we do not run out of land.
What about other land use problems?
Environmental Impacts
Problems of land use are usually environmental issues, this is because land use often involves the conversion of natural land into urban land for societal and economic needs. The problem with land use is that as more people relocate or use more urban spaces, more natural spaces are lost.
Deforestation
Within land use, deforestation is frequently a process that occurs to create more suitable land for the desired outcome. This can range from agricultural practices to retail, to recreation, to housing. Deforestation leads to other issues, such as soil degradation and erosion, habitat loss and loss of biodiversity, and the release of greenhouse gas emissions. In very serious cases, deforestation can lead to desertification, when the land is completely degraded of any nutrients and cannot be used for agricultural purposes anymore.
Habitat Destruction
All types of changes in land use can lead to habitat destruction, and this can cause a loss of biodiversity. In fact, land use changes are one of the major causes of this. The change in land destroys the habitat; therefore, it can no longer support the species that relied on the habitat, causing the species to disappear over time, eventually leading to a loss of biodiversity, and sometimes even extinction.
Monocultures
Continued land use of one particular type, especially agricultural, can lead to a monoculture. Monocultures are an area of land that only grow and produce one type of crop. A lack of diversity in land can create issues such as disease and pests.
Fig 3. Monoculture - Potato Field.
Decreased Water Quality
As land use changes, particularly agricultural or urban land uses, the quality of water can decrease. In farming, the introduction of nitrogen and phosphorus from chemicals and fertilizers can leech into surrounding bodies of water, polluting the water.
Spread of Invasive Species
Changes to land use can impact all species, one way in which this is done is through the spreading of invasive species, and this can affect the whole ecosystem. Land use change, especially altering land from its natural state through methods such as deforestation, can lead to the spread of invasive species. This can also have an economic impact due to the high costs of removing the invasive species.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Land use change can increase the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming and therefore climate change. This is especially apparent in the deforestation of agricultural land, as it releases high amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Pollution
The process of land conversion releases gases and creates air pollution and litter. Not only this, but urban areas are more prone to producing pollution than natural land. Therefore, after the land has been altered, it may contribute more negatively to the environment as an urban area.
Soil Degradation and Erosion
Intensive farming practices and urban construction can lead to soil degradation and erosion. Methods such as forest fires, deforestation or over-grazing remove plants that protect the soil, allowing it to become exposed. Once exposed, the soil can easily erode due to heavy rainfall and this removes the nutrients in the soil, leaving it to be severely degraded.
Societal Impacts
Although there are many environmental impacts of land use, there are also social problems associated with land use.
How Environmental Impacts Affect Society
All the environmental impacts that occur as a consequence of land use can also affect society. For example, the environmental impact of global warming due to land use, such as deforestation, can affect humans. Global warming can help increase the spread of diseases, particularly mosquito-bourne diseases such as malaria or dengue fever, in society. This is because these types of diseases thrive in warm environments, and global warming is causing more locations to increase in temperature, which increases the chances of these diseases becoming commonplace in those locations.
Urban Sprawl
Urban sprawl is an increase in the number of people that use or live on urbanized land. Which does increase energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and traffic congestion. It also creates urban density and decreases accessibility to services as it becomes increasingly busy in urban areas. These areas are also associated with less interest in a sense of community.
Infrastructure Congestion
As urban areas increase, the cost of producing infrastructure in urban areas increases. A lack of development of infrastructure such as roads can lead to infrastructure congestion. This means the demand for the building of the infrastructure cannot be met and this can limit societies development.
Land Use - Key takeaways
- Land use is the way in which society uses and modifies the land.
- The Von Thünen Model is an example of a model that suggests land use is based on accessibility (cost of transportation) and location rent of agricultural land.
- Agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, and transportation are the main six different types of land use.
- Land use policies are used to manage and plan land use in a more sustainable way.
- Environmental impacts of land use include deforestation, habitat destruction, monocultures, the spread of invasive species, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and soil degradation. Social impacts include urban sprawl and infrastructure congestion.
References
- Fig 1. Agricultural Land (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agricultural_land,_Linton_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2305667.jpg) by Pauline E (https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/13903) licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en).
- Fig 2. Urban Land (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qiaoxi_business_district,_Zhongxing_West_Street,_Xingtai_City,_2020.jpg) by Wcr1993 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wcr1993) licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en).
- Fig 3. Monoculture - Potato Field. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tractors_in_Potato_Field.jpg), by NightThree (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:NightThree), licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en).
Frequently Asked Questions about Land Use
The Von Thünen Model is a land use model. Other models include Burgess' Concentric Zone Model, Hoyt's Sector Model, and Harris and Ullman's Multiple Nuclei Model.
The importance of land use is so that land can be managed sustainably to meet the needs of those that require and use the land.
The effects of land use are mostly environmental and societal. They include deforestation, habitat destruction, monocultures, decreased water quality, spread of invasive species, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, soil degradation, urban sprawl, and infrastructure congestion.
The types of land use include agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, and transportation.
The different types of land use in urban settlements include industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, and transportation.
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Flashcards in Land Use11
Start learningWhat is land use?
How society use and changes to land for its benefit.
Fill in the blanks. Land use can show how ____ a society is and how ____ impacts the natural environment.
Developed, society.
Name the six main types of land use.
Agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, and transportation.
What is transportation land use?
Using the land for transportation, such as railroads, or plane runways.
Which land use type is not urban?
Agricultural
List the environmental impacts of land use.
Deforestation, habitat destruction, monocultures, spread of invasive species, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and soil degradation.
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As an expert in human geography, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion of land use and its implications for society and the environment. My deep understanding of the concepts and theories related to land use allows me to provide valuable insights and explanations.
The article you've shared explores the multifaceted aspects of land use, touching upon key concepts in human geography. Let's break down the major components discussed in the article:
-
Land Use Definition:
- Land use is defined as how society uses and modifies the land to meet its needs, emphasizing the human-environmental interaction. It serves as a reflection of societal development and its impact on the environment.
-
Land Use Geography:
- The article highlights that land is changed by society for various purposes, including agriculture, industrial activities, commerce, residential purposes, recreation, and transportation.
-
Urban Land Use:
- Urban land use encompasses five main types: industrial, residential, recreational, commercial, and transportation. These activities contribute to societal and economic development in urban areas.
-
Land Use Models:
- The Von Thünen model is introduced as a foundational land use model in geography. It explains land use decisions based on accessibility (transportation cost) and the cost to rent the land. The model, initially developed for agricultural land, is also applied to urban land use.
-
Importance of Land Use:
- Land use is emphasized as crucial to society, providing insights into societal needs and development. The United Nations suggests that responsible land use can contribute to mitigating climate change impacts.
-
Land Use Policy:
- Land use policies are introduced as rules and regulations guiding the management of land. These policies aim to balance societal development with environmental conservation.
-
Land Use Problems:
- The article discusses challenges associated with land use, including the finite nature of land, environmental impacts such as deforestation and habitat destruction, and societal impacts like urban sprawl and infrastructure congestion.
-
Environmental Impacts:
- Various environmental impacts of land use are outlined, including deforestation, habitat destruction, monocultures, water quality degradation, spread of invasive species, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and soil degradation.
-
Societal Impacts:
- Social problems associated with land use are explored, such as urban sprawl and infrastructure congestion. The interconnectedness of environmental impacts and their effects on society, such as the spread of diseases due to global warming, is also highlighted.
-
Land Use Types:
- The six main types of land use are identified as agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, and transportation.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of land use in human geography, addressing its definitions, importance, models, and associated challenges. The depth of information presented reflects a solid understanding of the subject matter and its broader implications for both society and the environment.