Land Cover Change and Agricultural Practices

Land Cover Change

• Study of how land is used and the impact of changing land use.
• Changes occur due to population growth, increasing the need to grow food and develop land for housing.

Pollution

• Associated with industrial processes, but farming also contributes.

Desertification

• Alteration of natural vegetation in arid regions causes fertile land to become infertile.

Soil Salinization

• Improper irrigation or water with high salt content can cause salinization.
• Salinization: Salts from the water used by plants remain in the soil.

Terracing

• Earliest human alteration of the landscape.
• Increases arable land in areas with steep hillsides.
• Land collects rainfall to sustain crops, limiting runoff.
• Reduces soil erosion because of the limitation in water running down the hillside.

Managing Water

• Dams turn streams/rivers into reservoirs for water storage throughout the year.
• Center-pivoting irrigation: Equipment rotates around a pivot, delivering water, fertilizers, or pesticides to crops.

Draining Wetlands

• Wetlands: Low-lying areas containing significant water at or near the surface.
  • Positive impacts:
    • Providing significant biodiversity.
    • Acting as natural filters.
    • Trapping sediment.
    • Averting flood damage.
    • Buffering local water supply.
    • Reducing greenhouse gasses.

Clearing Trees and Other Vegetation

• Deforestation: Removal of large tracts of forest.
  • Results in soil erosion, decreased rainfall, warmer temperatures, and desertification.

Shifting Cultivation

• Slash-and-burn agriculture: Cutting down and burning all vegetation in an area of forest.

Role of Women in Agricultural Production

• Women play significant roles in agriculture.
• Feminization of agriculture has led international aid agencies to recognize the need for agricultural education, training, and more financial aid for women.

Economic Purpose

• Agriculture is an important part of most countries' economies.