GROUP 2:

LAND USES AND DECISION MAKING

TOPICS:
Land as a Basic Natural Resource
Land as an Ecosystem
Land as a Space
Land as a Landscape
Land Use as an Economic Activity
Nature of Land Use in an Area
Decision-Making and Processes in Land Use
Objectives of Land Users

Land as a Basic Natural Resource

-Jabagat, Angelyn

Land is an essential natural resource, both for

the survival and prosperity of humanity, and for
the maintenance of all terrestrial ecosystems.

WHY IS LAND A BASIC NATURAL

RESOURCE?
Land is considered as an important resource as it
provides habitation to a wide variety of flora and
fauna. It is also used by human beings for
various purposes such as agriculture, forestry,
mining, building houses and roads, and setting
up industries.
WHY IS LAND SO IMPORTANT?
The land is regarded as a valuable resource
because it provides a habitat for a diverse range
of flora and fauna. Humans use it for a variety of
purposes, including agriculture, forestry, mining,
construction of houses and roads, and the
establishment of industry.

Land as a Space
FUNCTIONS OF LAND -Castanares, Mae Ann
The basic functions of land in supporting human
and other terrestrial ecosystems can be
summarized as follows: Land is a fundamental resource in agriculture,
-a store of wealth for individuals, groups, or a and its efficient use and management are crucial
community for sustainable food production. When
-production of food, fibre, fuel or other biotic considering land as a space in agriculture,
materials for human use several aspects are taken into account:
-provision of biological habitats for plants,
animals and micro-organisms
1. Land Size and Boundaries:
The agricultural land may vary in size, ranging
Land as an Ecosystem from small plots to large farms or estates. The
-Carmen, Nargelene Jane boundaries of the land are defined to demarcate
the specific area designated for agricultural
activities.

2. Topography and Soil Characteristics:

The topography of the land, including its slope,
elevation, and drainage patterns, plays a
significant role in determining its suitability for
different types of crops or livestock.
 landscapes. Such landscapes can vary greatly.
They can be as different as a vast cattle ranch in
3. Land Use Planning:
Argentina or the urban landscape of Tokyo,
Land as a space involves planning and
Japan.
organizing the use of different areas within a
farm or agricultural region.
The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO
(the United Nations Economic, Social, and
4. Infrastructure and Facilities: Cultural Organization) defines a cultural
Agricultural land may require infrastructure and landscape in three ways.
facilities to support farming operations. This
includes irrigation systems, access to water The first is a clearly defined landscape designed
sources, storage facilities, fencing, roads, farm and created intentionally by man. The
buildings, and other necessary structures. Archaeological Landscape of the First Coffee
Plantations in the southeast of Cuba, near
Santiago, is an example of this type of cultural
5. Environmental Considerations: landscape.
Land as a space in agriculture also involves
considering environmental factors such as The second type of cultural landscape is an
conservation of natural resources, preservation organically evolved landscape. An organically
of biodiversity, and minimizing the negative evolved landscape is one where the spiritual,
impacts on ecosystems. economic, and cultural significance of an area
developed along with its physical characteristics.
The Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, along
6. Land Tenure and Ownership:
the banks of the Orkhon River in central
The ownership or tenure arrangements of
Mongolia, is an example of an organically
agricultural land can vary, including private
evolved landscape. The Orkhon Valley has been
ownership, communal land, leasehold, or
used by Mongolian nomads since the 8th
government- owned land.
century as pastureland for their horses and other
animals. Mongolian herders still use the rich
Land as a Landscape river valley for pastureland today.
-Jaca, Julie Mae
The last type of cultural landscape is an
A landscape is part of Earth's surface that can be associative cultural landscape. An associative
viewed at one time from one place. It consists of landscape is much like an organically evolved
the geographic features that mark, or are landscape, except physical evidence of historical
characteristic of, a particular area. human use of the site may be missing. Its
significance is an association with spiritual,
An artist paints a landscape; a geographer economic, or cultural features of a people.
studies it. Some geographers, such as Otto Tongariro National Park in New Zealand is an
Schluter, actually define geography as landscape associative cultural landscape for the Maori
science. Schluter was the first scientist to write people. The mountains in the park symbolize the
specifically of natural landscapes and cultural link between the Maori and the physical
landscapes. environment.

A natural landscape is made up of a collection of

landforms, such as mountains, hills, plains, and
plateaus. Lakes, streams, soils (such as sand or
clay), and natural vegetation are other features
of natural landscapes. A desert landscape, for
instance, usually indicates sandy soil and few
deciduous trees. Even desert landscapes can
vary: The hilly sand dunes of the Sahara Desert
landscape are very different from the cactus-
dotted landscape of the Mojave Desert of the
American Southwest, for instance.
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
A landscape that people have modified
is called a cultural landscape. People and the
plants they grow, the animals they care for, and
the structures they build make up cultural
PEOPLE AND THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE
The growth of technology has increased our
ability to change a natural landscape. An
example of human impact on landscape can be
seen along the coastline of the Netherlands.
Water from the North Sea was pumped out of
certain areas, uncovering the fertile soil below.
Dikes and dams were built to keep water from
these areas, now used for farming and other
purposes.
Dams can change a natural landscape by
flooding it. The Three Gorges Dam on the
Yangtze River, in Yichang, China, is the world's
largest electric power plant. The Three Gorges
Dam project has displaced more than 1.2 million
people and permanently altered the flow of the
Yangtze River, changing both the physical and
cultural landscape of the region. Nature of Land Use in an Area
Many human activities increase the rate at which -Jayme, Chrislyn
natural processes, such as weathering and Capute, Jennylyn
erosion, shape the landscape. The cutting of
forests exposes more soil to wind and water
erosion. Pollution such as acid rain often speeds Nature of land-
up the weathering, or breakdown, of Earth's Natural Lands means lands that support native
rocky surface. plants and animals of a mixture representative of
the natural ecology of the area. Such lands may
be subject to management, recreational and
By studying natural and cultural landscapes,
resource harvesting activities that will not
geographers learn how peoples activities affect
significantly change the ecological
the land. Their studies may suggest ways that
characteristics of the land.
will help us protect the delicate balance of
Earth's ecosystems.
What is land-use planning?
Land-use planning is the systematic assessment
Land Use as an Economic Activity
of land and water potential, alternatives for land
-Jaectin, Sannyboy
use and economic and social conditions in order
to select and adopt the best land-use options. Its
Land serves as the foundation for numerous purpose is to select and put into practice those
economic activities, including agriculture, real land uses that will best meet the needs of the
estate, forestry, and mining. These activities people while safeguarding resources for the
contribute significantly to local, national, and future. The driving force in planning is the need
global economies. Land also supports for change, the need for improved management
infrastructure development, providing space for or the need for a quite different pattern of land
roads, buildings, and other essential facilities. use dictated by changing circumstances.
“Land use” is the term used to describe the
Agriculture:
human use of land. It represents the economic
One of the primary economic activities
and cultural activities (e.g., agricultural,
associated with land use is agriculture.
residential, industrial, mining, and recreational
Agricultural land provides a platform for crop
uses) that are practiced at a given place. Public
cultivation and animal husbandry, producing
and private lands frequently represent very
food and raw materials for various industries. It
different uses.
not only supports local economies but also
contributes to international trade.
Different Types of Land Use
Generally speaking, there are six main types of
Real Estate and Urban Development: land use or categories for which humans use
Land is a crucial component of real estate and land. Land use mostly falls within six main
urban development. The construction of categories, including agricultural, residential,
residential, commercial, and industrial properties recreational, commercial, industrial, and
drives economic growth and job creation. The transportation. There are specific guidelines
real estate sector often influences economic specifying where it can be located and how it
trends and investment opportunities. can be used in most areas.

recreational: land used for recreational activities

Forestry: like camping, hunting, playing, etcetera.
Sustainable land use practices in forestry lead to
the production of timber, paper, and various
forest products. This sector is a source of agricultural: land used for raising crops and for
income for many rural communities and grazing and raising of animals.
contributes to both local and national
economies.
commercial: land used for the business of selling
goods and services for financial gain.
Mining and Resource Extraction:
Land plays a significant role in mining and
resource extraction activities. Minerals, oil, and industrial: land used for manufacturing, refining,
natural gas are valuable resources that drive mining, etcetera, of products.
economic development in many regions.
However, these activities must be managed
sustainably to mitigate environmental impact. transportation: land used for transportation such
as roads, railways, and airports.
residential: land used for housing and homes competing objectives and may require
from single-family units to multiplex structures. compromises to reach a consensus among
stakeholders.

6. Implementation:
Decision-Making and Processes in Land Use Once a decision is made, the chosen land use
-Jayme, Charline Mae plan is implemented. This involves putting
policies, regulations, and incentives in place to
guide land use practices. It may also involve
Land use decision-making involves the process zoning, permitting, and monitoring processes to
of deciding how to allocate and utilize land ensure compliance.
resources for different purposes and activities. It
is a complex process that considers various 7. Monitoring and Adaptation:
factors, stakeholders, and objectives. Here is a Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the
general overview of the decision-making process implemented land use practices are essential to
in land use: assess their effectiveness and make necessary
adaptations. This allows for proactive
Identification of Objectives: management of land resources and the ability to
address emerging issues or changing
circumstances.
1. The first step is to identify the objectives and
goals of land use decisions. These objectives It is important to note that the decision-making
may include economic development, and process of land use can vary across different
conservation, urban planning, agriculture, jurisdictions, depending on local laws,
infrastructure development, or social and regulations, and governance structures.
cultural priorities. Additionally, sustainable and inclusive decision-
making practices that consider the needs of
future generations are increasingly being
2. Data Collection and Analysis: emphasized to ensure long-term environmental,
Relevant data about the land, including social, and economic ben
geographical features, ecological systems,
population density, economic trends, and
existing land use practices, are collected and Objectives of Land Users
analyzed. This helps provide a comprehensive -Tano, Edrian
understanding of the existing conditions and Turno, Marelyn
potential impacts of different land use options.

Land users have various objectives depending

3. Stakeholder Engagement: on their specific needs and interests. Some
Land use decisions often involve multiple common objectives of land users include:
stakeholders, such as government agencies,
community organizations, landowners,
environmental groups, and businesses. Engaging Agriculture:
these stakeholders through public consultations, Farmers aim to cultivate crops and raise
workshops, and meetings allows their livestock to produce food, fiber, and other
perspectives, concerns, and interests to be agricultural products.
considered during the decision-making process.
Urban Development:
4. Evaluation of Alternatives: Urban planners and developers seek to use land
Different land use alternatives are generated and for housing, commercial, and industrial purposes
evaluated based on their feasibility, to accommodate growing populations and
sustainability, environmental impact, economic economic activities.
viability, social implications, and alignment with
the identified objectives. Sustainable land use Conservation:
practices, including land conservation, smart Environmentalists and conservationists aim to
growth, and mixed-use development, are often protect natural habitats and biodiversity by
prioritized. minimizing human impact on the land.
Recreation:
5. Decision-Making: Land users may prioritize land for recreational
Based on the evaluation, a decision is made purposes, such as parks, sports facilities, and
regarding the preferred land use option. This natural reserves for leisure and enjoyment.
decision can involve trade-offs between
Infrastructure:
Governments and organizations often allocate
land for infrastructure projects like roads,
bridges, airports, and utilities.

Forestry:
Forest owners and managers may focus on
sustainable timber production and forest
conservation.

Renewable Energy:
Land may be used for renewable energy projects
like wind farms, solar installations, or
hydropower.

Ecosystem Services:
Some land users prioritize the provision of
ecosystem services, such as water purification,
carbon sequestration, and climate regulation.

Cultural or Historical Preservation:

Some land may be used to preserve cultural or
historical sites and landmarks.

Research and Education:

Universities and research institutions may use
land for scientific research, conservation, and
educational purposes.

Any questions or clarifications?