No description available.

The study concerns the effects on the course of agricultural land-use change of the local domination of land occupancy by sub-full-time farms; in particular the effect of non-agricultural occupations on the land-use of individual farm operators is central. Land-use <i>changes</i> in the West Highlands of Scotland (1947-79) were charted for 66 Parishes, which were subjected to a hierarchical fusion of 'similar experience' of change. Resultant clusters were compared in terms of structural attributes. Differentiation was found at two levels: between areas of high viz low percentages of part-time holdings and within the sub-full-time fractions, related to relative proportions of holdings of 40-135, and 135-270 Standard Man Days. 'Insignificant' holdings (<40 SMDs) were found not to be of a characteristic land-use 'type' but instead operated enterprises of similar form to larger units. In three areas of crofting townships land-use and enterprise characteristics were found not to be a sole function of size of holdings or labour availability, (estimated from household demographic and employment criteria). Non-farm occupational characteristics (full-time; part-time; seasonal etc) related to the scale of enterprise but less so to the type of enterprise. Occupants with off-farm work did not specialise <i>per se</i> in low-labour demanding activities. Linear programming was used to estimate optimal land-use intensity from land capability and labour data. Occupational factors related to sub-optimal land-use intensity as did occupants' age. A method derived from Point Score Analysis of decision-making factors showed that certain factors serve as 'constraints' on choices of specific groups of individuals. Off-farm work was found to be the most important such constraint.

Anthropogenic eutrophication of freshwater lakes due to land use change is a growing global problem with economic consequences, such as a reduction in shoreline property value. Managing eutrophication is of utmost importance in Maine, USA due to the large number of inland fresh waterbodies and their economic importance for fisheries, recreation, and real estate. This thesis investigates the relationships between water quality and catchment land use. Agricultural land use is a large driver of excess nutrient export to lakes, including in Maine, and can result in toxic cyanobacterial blooms, decreased water clarity, and fish kills. I developed a statistical relationship to quantitatively link agricultural intensity in the catchment and resultant water quality outcomes in Maine lakes. I observe a strong statistical relationship between water quality and anthropogenic activity in the catchment, as expected. Interestingly, I found that the effects of anthropogenic activity were most closely related to a five-year lag in water quality, which is between 0.8 to 4.71 years longer than the lake residence times. My results suggest that changes in land use may have long-term effects on water quality that last for far longer than would be expected. The analysis presented in this paper is novel for directly linking long term observational agricultural and biological datasets and presents a new way to quantitatively link water quality and anthropogenic intensity in the catchment area. / Master of Science / Worsening water quality of freshwater lakes due to land use change is a growing global problem with economic consequences, such as a reduction in shoreline property value. Managing water quality is of utmost importance in Maine, USA due to the large number of inland fresh waterbodies and their economic importance for fisheries, recreation, and real estate. This thesis investigates the relationships between water quality and lakeside land use. Agricultural land use is a large driver of lowered water quality in lakes, including in Maine. I developed a statistical relationship to mathematically link agriculture near the lake and resultant water quality outcomes in Maine. I observe a strong statistical relationship between water quality and human activity in the catchment, as expected. Interestingly, I found that the effects of human activity were most closely related to a five-year lag in water quality, which is between 0.8 to 4.71 years longer than the lake residence times. My results suggest that changes in land use may have long-term effects on water quality that last for far longer than would be expected.

<p> This study utilized geographic information systems (GIS) software to identify and map vacant parcels of land where the establishment of urban market gardens and small-scale farms would most likely be viable, and then estimated potential crop yields and gross sales based on available land resources. Of the 100,618 parcels (62,098 acres) within the study area, 14 percent (4,603 parcels, 8,612 acres) were water-metered, vacant, and met the study's minimum suitability requirements. Based on average yields for fourteen regionally appropriate crops and local produce prices for organic goods in 2012, gross yields and sales were calculated. The findings suggest that urban growers in the Reno-Sparks-Washoe County study area could generate between $88,000 and $272,000 per acre, a range based on conventional and biointensive crop management methods, respectively. If 10 percent (861 acres) of all suitable vacant lands were cultivated, an estimated $76 million to $234 million could be generated through sales of an estimated yield of 29 to 86 million pounds of produce. </p><p> These figures were based on the assumptions that land would be at least 60 percent cultivated; that season extension infrastructure such as row covers, polyethylene-film covered hoop-house structures, or traditional greenhouses would be utilized to ensure three full growing seasons if necessary; and that 60 percent of all produce would be sold directly to consumers at organic retail prices. Costs of labor, establishment, and production were not considered due to extreme variability of site requirements and growing methods. The results highlight the importance of urban agriculture to our community's economy and food security, and its needs for greater public awareness and political and programmatic support.</p>

Agricultural practices have intensified over the last 50 years, increasing crop production and altering the Canadian Prairie landscape by removing non-cropped habitats and wetlands. The productivity, trophic structure and diversity have changed through increased agrochemical inputs and reductions in yearly rotation and diversification of crop types. Most intensive agricultural practices have negative effects on invertebrate communities that can indirectly affect higher trophic organisms, such as birds. Many populations of aerial insectivorous bird species have been experiencing rapid declines in the last 30–40 years. Dependency on high abundances of aerial insects for reproduction and survival is a common link among all species of this guild. My thesis examined aerial insect abundance as a potential link between agricultural land use and the reproductive ecology, nestling body condition, and diet of an aerial insectivore species, the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). My broad goal was to determine whether agriculture has deleterious effects on timing of breeding, reproductive investment and success, and nestling quality, as mediated by food supply and differences in diet. Aerial insect abundance and biomass estimates obtained from passive insect traps which capture primarily aquatic dipterans were similar between agricultural and reference sites during all stages of breeding. However, estimates derived from sweep-net sampling in terrestrial habitats in 2013 indicated higher abundances of aquatic and terrestrial Diptera at a reference site relative to agricultural sites. Multiple measures of tree swallow productivity were not related to agriculture land use but nestling body condition was significantly lower on agricultural sites. Using stable isotope analysis (delta 13C and delta 15N), I found site and age specific differences in swallow diets and isotopic niche widths but variation was not consistently related to agricultural land use. Aquatic insect prey (Diptera and Odonata) made up the majority of the diet of swallows but nestlings had a larger proportion of terrestrial Diptera which resulted in larger isotopic niche widths compared to adults. The assimilated isotopic diet of nestling and adult swallows were not strong predictors of body size, mass or condition, suggesting that site differences in the diet do not appreciably affect condition. Nestlings raised on agricultural sites had lower body condition that was not directly linked to their diet alone. This suggests other unmeasured factors related to agricultural land use may affect nestling tree swallows. This study tested responses in an aerial insectivore species to land use and potential shifts in the insect community, which may provide important information for conservation and management decisions for many species within the aerial insectivore guild.

No description available.

A terra é um recurso natural necessário à produção agropecuária. A pesquisa sobre as mudanças no uso agropecuário da terra é especialmente relevante para o país e regiões com características como o Cerrado brasileiro, onde existem áreas vulneráveis à conversão agropecuária e nas quais as condições edafoclimáticas são favoráveis à produção animal e vegetal. Nesse contexto, o objetivo geral desta pesquisa é discutir os efeitos do emprego de tecnologia na pecuária de corte no Cerrado, e o uso agropecuário da terra na região. Para atender ao objetivo geral são estabelecidos objetivos específicos, quais sejam: (i) discutir os fatores que afetam o uso agropecuário da terra em geral e no Cerrado brasileiro; (ii) detalhar a tecnologia no contexto econômico e as principais tecnologias aplicadas à bovinocultura de corte, com destaque àquelas mais aplicáveis ao Cerrado; (iii) apresentar e discutir os modelos aplicados para a análise da mudança no uso da terra, com enfoque nos modelos de equilíbrio geral computável; (iv) apresentar e discutir os resultados do cenário atual da produção pecuária e do uso agropecuário da terra; e (v) apresentar e discutir os resultados do emprego de tecnologia na pecuária por meio da aplicação do modelo de equilíbrio geral computável. As principais fontes de dados são as publicações do Censo Agropecuário e as Contas Nacionais publicadas pelo IBGE. Para a obtenção dos resultados foi utilizada a pesquisa bibliográfica, a estatística descritiva e a aplicação do modelo de equilíbrio geral computável. Os principais resultados verificados nessa pesquisa indicam que a ocupação do Cerrado ocorreu devido a diversos fatores, dos quais ressaltam-se: o emprego de tecnologia, os investimentos em capital e o conhecimento específico aplicado à agricultura a fim de promover a expansão agropecuária de forma mais intensiva. Os fatores que afetam as mudanças no uso agropecuário da terra consistem na combinação de grãos geneticamente melhorados, pastagens plantadas, e as políticas governamentais que induziram a ocupação do Cerrado. O cenário atual da pecuária de corte na região revela a importância da bovinocultura de corte, que é responsável por 70% do valor bruto da produção de carnes da região (incluindo a produção em pastagens e em confinamentos). O principal uso agropecuário da terra no Cerrado é destinado à bovinocultura, quatorze vezes superior à área colhida das culturas de soja, milho e cana-de-açúcar somadas (11,55 milhões de hectares). Quanto ao efeito do emprego de tecnologia na atividade pecuária do Cerrado, se constata que causa aumento da renda per capita na região, e nas demais regiões o impacto é negativo. A principal conclusão dessa pesquisa reside na constatação de que o emprego de tecnologia na pecuária, e mais especificamente na bovinocultura de corte, afeta o uso agropecuário da terra no Cerrado brasileiro. De acordo com os resultados apresentados, é muito provável que nos próximos anos continue influenciando a atividade agropecuária como um todo, provicando ainda mudanças na configuração da produção agropecuária atual. Dentre os principais desafios e limitações de coleta de dados referentes à produção animal (mais especificamente para o cálculo do valor bruto da produção – VBP) enfrentados nessa pesquisa se referem às decisões e opções de quais fontes de dados utilizar quando a fonte de dados oficial do censo agropecuário não oferecia o dado (exemplo, valor bruto da produção de bovinos, suínos, caprinos, dentre outros). Optou-se em favor do Censo Agropecuário para todas as variáveis disponíveis por ser uma publicação periódica oficial. Quando necessário, foram utilizadas outras informações complementares oriundas de outras fontes acadêmicas e profissionais do setor. / Agricultural production depends on natural resources such as land. Agricultural land use change research is especially relevant to regions and countries with characteristics (climate, soil and technology conditions) similar to the Brazilian Savannna – Cerrado. Cerrado is a vulnerable region suitable to increasing agricultural conversion. In this context, this research aims to discuss the technology effects in the Cerrado’s beef production in the Cerrado as well as the agricultural land use in the region. In order to complete the general purpose we propose to meet speficic objectives: (i) to discuss the factors affecting agricultural use of land in the Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado); (ii) to detail the technology in the economic context and key technologies applied to beef cattle in the Cerrado; (iii) to present and discuss applied models for land use change analysis; (iv) to present and discuss the results of actual scenario of livestock production and agricultural land use; and (v) to present and discuss the results of technology use in livestock production using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model. Main data sources are Agricultural Census and the National Accounts reports, published by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Descriptive statistics analysis and the CGE model were used to obtain the results. The key findings in this study indicate occupation of the Cerrado was due to several factors, among which stand out: use of technology, investments and expertise applied to agricultural sector to promote the expansion of farming more intensively. The factors affecting the changes in the agricultural land use consist of a combination of genetically improved seeds, planted pastures, and government policies. Beef cattle current scenario in the region reveals the importance of beef cattle, which accounts for 70% of the gross value of meat production in the region (including pasture and feedlots production). Cattle is the main agricultural land use, fourteen times the harvested area of soybean, corn and cane sugar aggregated (11,55 millions of ha). The main conclusion of this research lies in the fact that technology applied in farming (and more specifically in beef cattle) affects agricultural land use in the Brazilian Cerrado. According to results, it is very likely that in coming years technology will continue influencing the agricultural activity as a whole, stimulating further changes in the configuration of current agricultural production. Among main challenges and limitations of animal production data work (more specifically for the calculation of the gross value of production) addressed in this study refer to the decisions of which data sources rely when the official data source (agricultural census) did not contain the needed variable (eg, gross value of production of cattle, pigs, goats, among others). The agricultural census (official periodical publication) was used for all variables available. We used other additional information coming from other sources from academic and industry professionals (detailed in the method chapter).

A terra é um recurso natural necessário à produção agropecuária. A pesquisa sobre as mudanças no uso agropecuário da terra é especialmente relevante para o país e regiões com características como o Cerrado brasileiro, onde existem áreas vulneráveis à conversão agropecuária e nas quais as condições edafoclimáticas são favoráveis à produção animal e vegetal. Nesse contexto, o objetivo geral desta pesquisa é discutir os efeitos do emprego de tecnologia na pecuária de corte no Cerrado, e o uso agropecuário da terra na região. Para atender ao objetivo geral são estabelecidos objetivos específicos, quais sejam: (i) discutir os fatores que afetam o uso agropecuário da terra em geral e no Cerrado brasileiro; (ii) detalhar a tecnologia no contexto econômico e as principais tecnologias aplicadas à bovinocultura de corte, com destaque àquelas mais aplicáveis ao Cerrado; (iii) apresentar e discutir os modelos aplicados para a análise da mudança no uso da terra, com enfoque nos modelos de equilíbrio geral computável; (iv) apresentar e discutir os resultados do cenário atual da produção pecuária e do uso agropecuário da terra; e (v) apresentar e discutir os resultados do emprego de tecnologia na pecuária por meio da aplicação do modelo de equilíbrio geral computável. As principais fontes de dados são as publicações do Censo Agropecuário e as Contas Nacionais publicadas pelo IBGE. Para a obtenção dos resultados foi utilizada a pesquisa bibliográfica, a estatística descritiva e a aplicação do modelo de equilíbrio geral computável. Os principais resultados verificados nessa pesquisa indicam que a ocupação do Cerrado ocorreu devido a diversos fatores, dos quais ressaltam-se: o emprego de tecnologia, os investimentos em capital e o conhecimento específico aplicado à agricultura a fim de promover a expansão agropecuária de forma mais intensiva. Os fatores que afetam as mudanças no uso agropecuário da terra consistem na combinação de grãos geneticamente melhorados, pastagens plantadas, e as políticas governamentais que induziram a ocupação do Cerrado. O cenário atual da pecuária de corte na região revela a importância da bovinocultura de corte, que é responsável por 70% do valor bruto da produção de carnes da região (incluindo a produção em pastagens e em confinamentos). O principal uso agropecuário da terra no Cerrado é destinado à bovinocultura, quatorze vezes superior à área colhida das culturas de soja, milho e cana-de-açúcar somadas (11,55 milhões de hectares). Quanto ao efeito do emprego de tecnologia na atividade pecuária do Cerrado, se constata que causa aumento da renda per capita na região, e nas demais regiões o impacto é negativo. A principal conclusão dessa pesquisa reside na constatação de que o emprego de tecnologia na pecuária, e mais especificamente na bovinocultura de corte, afeta o uso agropecuário da terra no Cerrado brasileiro. De acordo com os resultados apresentados, é muito provável que nos próximos anos continue influenciando a atividade agropecuária como um todo, provicando ainda mudanças na configuração da produção agropecuária atual. Dentre os principais desafios e limitações de coleta de dados referentes à produção animal (mais especificamente para o cálculo do valor bruto da produção – VBP) enfrentados nessa pesquisa se referem às decisões e opções de quais fontes de dados utilizar quando a fonte de dados oficial do censo agropecuário não oferecia o dado (exemplo, valor bruto da produção de bovinos, suínos, caprinos, dentre outros). Optou-se em favor do Censo Agropecuário para todas as variáveis disponíveis por ser uma publicação periódica oficial. Quando necessário, foram utilizadas outras informações complementares oriundas de outras fontes acadêmicas e profissionais do setor. / Agricultural production depends on natural resources such as land. Agricultural land use change research is especially relevant to regions and countries with characteristics (climate, soil and technology conditions) similar to the Brazilian Savannna – Cerrado. Cerrado is a vulnerable region suitable to increasing agricultural conversion. In this context, this research aims to discuss the technology effects in the Cerrado’s beef production in the Cerrado as well as the agricultural land use in the region. In order to complete the general purpose we propose to meet speficic objectives: (i) to discuss the factors affecting agricultural use of land in the Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado); (ii) to detail the technology in the economic context and key technologies applied to beef cattle in the Cerrado; (iii) to present and discuss applied models for land use change analysis; (iv) to present and discuss the results of actual scenario of livestock production and agricultural land use; and (v) to present and discuss the results of technology use in livestock production using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model. Main data sources are Agricultural Census and the National Accounts reports, published by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Descriptive statistics analysis and the CGE model were used to obtain the results. The key findings in this study indicate occupation of the Cerrado was due to several factors, among which stand out: use of technology, investments and expertise applied to agricultural sector to promote the expansion of farming more intensively. The factors affecting the changes in the agricultural land use consist of a combination of genetically improved seeds, planted pastures, and government policies. Beef cattle current scenario in the region reveals the importance of beef cattle, which accounts for 70% of the gross value of meat production in the region (including pasture and feedlots production). Cattle is the main agricultural land use, fourteen times the harvested area of soybean, corn and cane sugar aggregated (11,55 millions of ha). The main conclusion of this research lies in the fact that technology applied in farming (and more specifically in beef cattle) affects agricultural land use in the Brazilian Cerrado. According to results, it is very likely that in coming years technology will continue influencing the agricultural activity as a whole, stimulating further changes in the configuration of current agricultural production. Among main challenges and limitations of animal production data work (more specifically for the calculation of the gross value of production) addressed in this study refer to the decisions of which data sources rely when the official data source (agricultural census) did not contain the needed variable (eg, gross value of production of cattle, pigs, goats, among others). The agricultural census (official periodical publication) was used for all variables available. We used other additional information coming from other sources from academic and industry professionals (detailed in the method chapter).

A terra é um recurso natural necessário à produção agropecuária. A pesquisa sobre as mudanças no uso agropecuário da terra é especialmente relevante para o país e regiões com características como o Cerrado brasileiro, onde existem áreas vulneráveis à conversão agropecuária e nas quais as condições edafoclimáticas são favoráveis à produção animal e vegetal. Nesse contexto, o objetivo geral desta pesquisa é discutir os efeitos do emprego de tecnologia na pecuária de corte no Cerrado, e o uso agropecuário da terra na região. Para atender ao objetivo geral são estabelecidos objetivos específicos, quais sejam: (i) discutir os fatores que afetam o uso agropecuário da terra em geral e no Cerrado brasileiro; (ii) detalhar a tecnologia no contexto econômico e as principais tecnologias aplicadas à bovinocultura de corte, com destaque àquelas mais aplicáveis ao Cerrado; (iii) apresentar e discutir os modelos aplicados para a análise da mudança no uso da terra, com enfoque nos modelos de equilíbrio geral computável; (iv) apresentar e discutir os resultados do cenário atual da produção pecuária e do uso agropecuário da terra; e (v) apresentar e discutir os resultados do emprego de tecnologia na pecuária por meio da aplicação do modelo de equilíbrio geral computável. As principais fontes de dados são as publicações do Censo Agropecuário e as Contas Nacionais publicadas pelo IBGE. Para a obtenção dos resultados foi utilizada a pesquisa bibliográfica, a estatística descritiva e a aplicação do modelo de equilíbrio geral computável. Os principais resultados verificados nessa pesquisa indicam que a ocupação do Cerrado ocorreu devido a diversos fatores, dos quais ressaltam-se: o emprego de tecnologia, os investimentos em capital e o conhecimento específico aplicado à agricultura a fim de promover a expansão agropecuária de forma mais intensiva. Os fatores que afetam as mudanças no uso agropecuário da terra consistem na combinação de grãos geneticamente melhorados, pastagens plantadas, e as políticas governamentais que induziram a ocupação do Cerrado. O cenário atual da pecuária de corte na região revela a importância da bovinocultura de corte, que é responsável por 70% do valor bruto da produção de carnes da região (incluindo a produção em pastagens e em confinamentos). O principal uso agropecuário da terra no Cerrado é destinado à bovinocultura, quatorze vezes superior à área colhida das culturas de soja, milho e cana-de-açúcar somadas (11,55 milhões de hectares). Quanto ao efeito do emprego de tecnologia na atividade pecuária do Cerrado, se constata que causa aumento da renda per capita na região, e nas demais regiões o impacto é negativo. A principal conclusão dessa pesquisa reside na constatação de que o emprego de tecnologia na pecuária, e mais especificamente na bovinocultura de corte, afeta o uso agropecuário da terra no Cerrado brasileiro. De acordo com os resultados apresentados, é muito provável que nos próximos anos continue influenciando a atividade agropecuária como um todo, provicando ainda mudanças na configuração da produção agropecuária atual. Dentre os principais desafios e limitações de coleta de dados referentes à produção animal (mais especificamente para o cálculo do valor bruto da produção – VBP) enfrentados nessa pesquisa se referem às decisões e opções de quais fontes de dados utilizar quando a fonte de dados oficial do censo agropecuário não oferecia o dado (exemplo, valor bruto da produção de bovinos, suínos, caprinos, dentre outros). Optou-se em favor do Censo Agropecuário para todas as variáveis disponíveis por ser uma publicação periódica oficial. Quando necessário, foram utilizadas outras informações complementares oriundas de outras fontes acadêmicas e profissionais do setor. / Agricultural production depends on natural resources such as land. Agricultural land use change research is especially relevant to regions and countries with characteristics (climate, soil and technology conditions) similar to the Brazilian Savannna – Cerrado. Cerrado is a vulnerable region suitable to increasing agricultural conversion. In this context, this research aims to discuss the technology effects in the Cerrado’s beef production in the Cerrado as well as the agricultural land use in the region. In order to complete the general purpose we propose to meet speficic objectives: (i) to discuss the factors affecting agricultural use of land in the Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado); (ii) to detail the technology in the economic context and key technologies applied to beef cattle in the Cerrado; (iii) to present and discuss applied models for land use change analysis; (iv) to present and discuss the results of actual scenario of livestock production and agricultural land use; and (v) to present and discuss the results of technology use in livestock production using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model. Main data sources are Agricultural Census and the National Accounts reports, published by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Descriptive statistics analysis and the CGE model were used to obtain the results. The key findings in this study indicate occupation of the Cerrado was due to several factors, among which stand out: use of technology, investments and expertise applied to agricultural sector to promote the expansion of farming more intensively. The factors affecting the changes in the agricultural land use consist of a combination of genetically improved seeds, planted pastures, and government policies. Beef cattle current scenario in the region reveals the importance of beef cattle, which accounts for 70% of the gross value of meat production in the region (including pasture and feedlots production). Cattle is the main agricultural land use, fourteen times the harvested area of soybean, corn and cane sugar aggregated (11,55 millions of ha). The main conclusion of this research lies in the fact that technology applied in farming (and more specifically in beef cattle) affects agricultural land use in the Brazilian Cerrado. According to results, it is very likely that in coming years technology will continue influencing the agricultural activity as a whole, stimulating further changes in the configuration of current agricultural production. Among main challenges and limitations of animal production data work (more specifically for the calculation of the gross value of production) addressed in this study refer to the decisions of which data sources rely when the official data source (agricultural census) did not contain the needed variable (eg, gross value of production of cattle, pigs, goats, among others). The agricultural census (official periodical publication) was used for all variables available. We used other additional information coming from other sources from academic and industry professionals (detailed in the method chapter).

No description available.