The identification and classification of land cover changes with reference to global forests, agriculture and urban land cover

Question 1

Account for global forests

Answer 1

-Cover approx. 30% of the Earth’s surface
-Global forests are being degraded at a rapid rate
-FAO (The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) estimates that 7.2 million hectares of forest is lost each year
-It is projected that by 2060 there will be no rainforests remaining
-Within continuing forest land cover change, the consequences will not just be that of declining forest area, but also a loss of biodiversity, medicines and climate regulation

Question 2

Agriculture

Answer 2

Plant and animal farming in order to sustain and enhance human life

Question 3

Agricultural land cover (nature)

Answer 3

3 types:
Commercial - production is for profit
Subsistence - aim is to be self-efficient
Intensive - requires great input to maximise productivity of a small piece of land

Farming and nature impact upon each other and contribute to land cover change as the world’s population increases

Question 4

Account for land cover change in relation to agricultural land cover

Answer 4

-A total of 38% of the world’s, and 54% of Australia’s land is used for agricultural purposes
-Estimated that globally there will be 18% more land converted for agriculture by 2050 - most coming from clearing a third of the remaining forests, savannahs and grasslands, particularly in North-East Africa and South-East Asia

Question 5

Urban environments

Answer 5

Any area of concentrated settlement forms/building where the majority of inhabitants are involved in non-primary and non-agricultural forms of production

Question 6

Urban land cover (nature)

Answer 6

-Worldwide approx. 50% of all people now live in cities
-Global urban land cover varies from less than 1% to 3% from varying interpretations of ‘urban land cover’
-It is projected that 70% of people will be living in urban areas by 2050