The differences in the process of land cover change between countries due to factors such as government policy, institutional arrangements, etc.

Question 1

Population Size and Density

Answer 1

Australia – 6th largest country, population of approx. 24 million with roughly 88% living in urban areas
China – 4th largest country; population approx. 1.4 billion with around 57% living in urban areas

Question 2

Economic World Standing

Answer 2

Australia – 12th largest economy in the world; heavily relies on agriculture and mining exports for income
China – 2nd largest economy in the world. The Chinese property boom has increased individual wealth and created land use change by the clearing of land for development

Question 3

Types of Government and Economy

Answer 3

Australia –
3 levels of democratically elected government (local, state, federal) with varying levels of responsibilities in governing land use/land cover change
Mixed market economy - capitalism + socialism
Land cover change must be agreed upon through federal/state/local govs. depending on location and scale – this impacts on the amount of change that occurs + when/where
Continuing dependence on mining and increasing rates of urbanization has resulted in most land cover change processes occurring in remote areas where minerals are found + areas adjacent to existing urban settlements
China –
Centralised, single-party government based on the ideals of the Communist Party
Socialist market economy and largely a manufacturing economy
Due to govt. type/economy, China continues to transform large proportions of its land cover as it’s continually developing
Due to large population + rapid urbanisation, large amounts of land use and cover change is required for more urban areas and to expand agriculture + mining

Question 4

Institutional Arrangements and Land Ownership

Answer 4

Australia –
Land can be privately bought, owned, and sold
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act protects native areas and there are many legislative restrictions to land use change e.g., Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act
There are different land ownership and land use categories that impact on the processes and amount of land cover change e.g., traditional land rights and protected areas
Govt. policies and authorities have/continue to have influence on the rate and location of land cover change in Australia
China –
Due to govt. type, China hasn’t had any real private land ownership as it’s all been owned/controlled by the government
There are now some new arrangements and regulations
Urban areas: whilst properties may now be owned by individuals, the land itself is still owned by the government
Rural areas: Farmland is owned by farming collectives where village leaders have the authority to make decisions about the land and its use
More recent laws have allowed for the prosecution of polluters and protection of natural areas

Question 5

Ideology and Cultural Views

Answer 5

A
Australia - Greatly values natural environment + outdoors lifestyle which has influenced land cover change and its processes; largely through vocal opinions of stakeholder groups in relation to proposed land cover changes
Stakeholder groups e.g. Greenpeace/World Wildlife Fund all influence the rate/scale of land cover change
Authorities must grant people/parties w/ the opportunity to comment on proposed land use/cover changes
China - Mixed opinions on the environment as their actions are based around cultural beliefs and the growth of wealth
Regard humans as different from the world of natural things, and accordingly treat the natural world as a world of objects
Govts/citizens/businesses thus haven’t valued the environment or its need for protection from land cover change
Increasing recognition that land cover change is an issue as those affected by negative environmental impacts are protesting against land cover change