The Geographical Study of Agricultural Land Use

Abstract

THE problem of agricultural land use in different countries of the world has recently attracted, to an increasing extent, the attention of geographers. Thanks to the activity of the Commission on the Inventory of World Land Use, and thanks, especially, to its energetic president, Professor L. Dudley Stamp (United Kingdom), an extensive report was presented to the XVIIIth International Geographical Con? gress at Rio de Janeiro (1956). This report contained a scientific analysis of the problem and a review of the present state of geographical work in the study of agri? cultural land use. It was stated in this report in 1949, at the International Geo? graphical Congress at Lisbon, a Commission had been set up so scientific problems of land use could be worked out by geographers of different countries. The objects of this Commission were defined as follows: Recognizing the urgency of the problems of world population and world food supply which are the concern in greater or less degree of all the countries of the world, we consider present factual knowledge is inadequate to serve as a proper foundation for schemes of improvement and The Commission con? sidered that for all parts of the world there should be a survey of land use together with an interpretation. This involves {a) maps embodying the survey, and {b) ex? planatory memoirs. In connection with the above, the Commission acknowledged it necessary to compile a general world map of land use, based on detailed material from different countries. Such a map, as well as its explanatory text, must characterize as precisely as possible the present agricultural condition of territories and explain the causes of this condition. This review would serve as a basis for further agricultural development. For unless the present use of land is known and understood, development schemes may cut across the existing economic structure in such a way as to cause more harm than good (Report of the Commission). It is further stated in the Commission's report the mapping of land use for practical purposes in different countries must be made on as large a scale as possible. However, the experience of some countries (for instance, the United Kingdom) showed a sufficiently precise treatment was possible on a scale of about 1 : 62,500 (or larger). In some cases a smaller scale, for example 1 : 200,000 or 1 : 250,000, could be used. For the publication of a generalized world map of present land use the Commission recommends a scale of 1 : 1,000,000. The preparation of a general world map has not yet begun. However, the Com? mission of the International Geographical Union has carried out two important preparatory projects: a general key for the world map containing the classification of different forms of land use; and a review of the present condition of the mapping of land use in different countries. This review shows a very mixed picture in the methods of land mapping employed. The highest standard of mapping is attained in Great Britain, Japan, Sweden, Germany, U.S.A., Canada and some other countries (mentioned in the review). In examining the key recommended by the Commission we find similar detailed systems are used in the United Kingdom and some British colonies (for instance, in Cyprus, in some African territories and elsewhere)?as well as in Japan, West Germany, Denmark, Sweden; and recently