Land use

Land use refers to the management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such as fields, pastures, and settlements. It has significant impacts on many environmental processes, including climate change, biodiversity, the water cycle, and soil erosion.

Types of Land Use

There are several types of land use:

• Agricultural land use: This includes areas used for the production of food and fiber, ranging from pasture to cropland.
• Urban land use: This includes areas used for buildings, roads, and developed tracts of land.
• Rural land use: This includes areas used for forestry, mining, and fishing.
• Protected areas: These are areas set aside for the preservation of natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems.

Land Use Planning

Land use planning is the process of regulating the use of land by a central authority. It involves a systematic and integrated approach to evaluating land use options and making decisions about the allocation of land resources. The goal is to balance social, economic, and environmental needs.

Impacts of Land Use

Land use has significant impacts on the environment. It can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and soil degradation. It can also contribute to climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Land Use Policy

Land use policy is a policy that dictates how land is to be used. It can be implemented at various levels, from local to national, and can be influenced by a variety of factors, including economic conditions, cultural values, and environmental concerns.

See Also

• Land use in the United States
• Land use in China
• Land use in India
• Land use in Brazil

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Land use

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  CO2 emissions from land use

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  Land use in the Australian Capital Territory

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  Long-term change in land use

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  Global land use graphic

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  Deforestation of rainforest

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  Aerial photo of Delhi, March 2016

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  Aral Sea from 1989 to 2014

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  Habitat fragmentation at Indiana Dunes