key term - Extensive Rural Land-Uses

Definition

Extensive rural land-uses refer to agricultural practices that require large amounts of land for production while utilizing low input and labor. These types of land-use are characterized by low population density and are often associated with grazing, forestry, and extensive crop farming. They play a vital role in the spatial organization of agricultural activities, particularly in the context of rural economies and their integration into markets.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Extensive rural land-uses often occur in regions with less fertile soil or challenging climates, making intensive farming less viable.
2. This type of land-use is typically found in areas such as ranching in the western United States or sheep farming in parts of Australia.
3. The Von Thunen Model illustrates how extensive land-use patterns are influenced by distance from the market, with land farther away often used for lower-value activities like grazing.
4. Land prices tend to decrease with distance from urban areas, which allows for extensive land-uses to thrive in outer zones where land is more affordable.
5. Extensive rural land-uses can be seen as a response to global market demands, where certain products like beef or wool are produced on large scales but require less intensive management.

Review Questions

• How do extensive rural land-uses interact with the concepts presented in the Von Thunen Model?
  • Extensive rural land-uses align with the Von Thunen Model's idea of spatial organization in agriculture. According to the model, as distance from the market increases, the type of agricultural practice changes due to transportation costs. Extensive agriculture, such as grazing or certain types of crop farming, is typically found farther from urban centers where land is cheaper, demonstrating how location influences agricultural choices based on market access.
• Evaluate the impact of extensive rural land-uses on local economies and communities in relation to urban markets.
  • Extensive rural land-uses can significantly shape local economies by providing raw materials and food supplies to urban markets. By producing goods like beef or timber on large tracts of land, these practices support rural employment and contribute to economic stability. However, reliance on extensive agriculture can also make communities vulnerable to market fluctuations and environmental challenges, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to land use that incorporates sustainable practices.
• Synthesize the relationship between extensive rural land-uses and environmental sustainability within the framework of agricultural practices.
  • The relationship between extensive rural land-uses and environmental sustainability is complex. While extensive practices can lead to lower input use per unit area compared to intensive agriculture, they may also contribute to issues like overgrazing and habitat destruction if not managed properly. As awareness of sustainable agricultural practices grows, there is a push for integrating sustainable methods within extensive farming systems. This involves balancing production needs with ecological considerations, promoting practices that conserve soil health and biodiversity while still meeting market demands.

Related terms

Intensive Agriculture:

A type of farming that uses small areas of land and high levels of input to maximize yield, often involving significant labor and capital investment.

Agrarian Society: A society that relies primarily on agriculture for its economic livelihood, where farming practices dominate social and cultural structures.

Pastoralism:

A form of agriculture focused on the raising and herding of livestock, typically practiced in areas unsuitable for crop farming.