Land use change

Definition

Land use change refers to the alteration of the natural landscape as a result of human activities, impacting ecosystems, biodiversity, and biogeochemical processes. These changes often involve converting forests to agriculture, urban development, or infrastructure, significantly affecting carbon cycling, nutrient dynamics, and water cycles. The consequences of land use change are critical in understanding how human actions influence ecological balance and the global environment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Land use change is a major driver of global carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 10-15% of total emissions from human activities.
2. Ecosystems impacted by land use change often experience loss of biodiversity, with habitat fragmentation causing decline in species populations.
3. Soil degradation is a significant consequence of land use change, where intensive agricultural practices can lead to erosion and nutrient depletion.
4. Land use change influences hydrological cycles by altering watershed dynamics, leading to changes in water availability and quality.
5. Policies promoting sustainable land management practices are essential for mitigating the adverse effects of land use change on ecosystems and climate.

Review Questions

• How does land use change impact carbon cycling and storage in terrestrial ecosystems?
  • Land use change affects carbon cycling by altering the balance between carbon sequestration and emissions. For instance, converting forests to agricultural lands decreases carbon storage because trees that absorb CO2 are removed. This not only releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere but also reduces future carbon uptake potential. Understanding this relationship is key to addressing climate change and promoting better land management practices.
• Discuss the implications of agricultural expansion on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  • Agricultural expansion often leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, which directly threatens biodiversity by reducing the available space for various species. This decline in biodiversity can diminish ecosystem services such as pollination, soil fertility, and water purification. When diverse ecosystems are converted into monocultures, it not only disrupts ecological balance but also makes agricultural systems more vulnerable to pests and diseases, ultimately affecting food security.
• Evaluate how urbanization contributes to land use change and its subsequent effects on local biogeochemical cycles.
  • Urbanization significantly alters land use by replacing natural landscapes with built environments. This transition impacts local biogeochemical cycles by increasing impervious surfaces, which affects water infiltration and leads to greater runoff. Urban areas typically exhibit altered nutrient cycling due to concentrated waste production and modified vegetation cover. As a result, urbanization can exacerbate issues like urban heat islands, increased flood risk, and altered nutrient loads in nearby water bodies.

Related terms

Deforestation:

The large-scale removal of trees from forested areas, leading to habitat loss and contributing to climate change due to decreased carbon storage.

Urbanization: The process by which rural areas transform into urban ones, often resulting in increased population density and changes in land cover.

Agricultural Expansion: The increase in land area dedicated to agriculture, which can lead to the conversion of natural ecosystems and affect soil health and biodiversity.