Land Users Research Articles

Unveiling human–wildlife interactions in the context of livestock grazing abandonment and the return of large carnivores, ungulates and vultures: A stakeholder perspective

Abstract Pastoral practices remain a widespread economic activity across European mountain regions. However, the viability of this activity may be threatened by the recovery of large wild vertebrates associated with passive rewilding, leading to the so‐called human–wildlife conflicts. Reconciling the return of large wild vertebrates and pastoral practices is therefore a major challenge for the European Union (EU), as it poses political, socio‐economic and conservation challenges. We analyse the social dimension of the recovery of large carnivores, ungulates and strict avian scavengers, through a multi‐stakeholder approach in two rural territories in central Spain exposed to different degrees of land abandonment. Based on in‐depth interviews, we identify potential conflicts and disagreements between the different stakeholders, search for strategies to promote the coexistence of large wild vertebrates and extensive grazing systems and seek emergent discourses for reconciling and boosting agrarian production and biodiversity conservation. Our findings show a consensus among stakeholders on the general increase and recovery of large wild vertebrate populations. We then collected divergent positions on what this recovery means for social groups, showing opposing views between urban and rural people; while conservationists considered this increase positively, land users generally—but not always—perceived this recovery as a threat to their livelihoods. We identified disagreements within social groups and divergent positions displayed between cattle farmers and sheep and goat farmers. The latter showed forms of management closer to agroecological visions, thus allowing coexistence. The coexistence of pastoral practices and wild vertebrates involves navigating a complex interplay of ecological, social and economic factors. The negative impacts of wildlife on livestock can be minimized, but only through the collective implementation of measures by all parties. Furthermore, the recognition and valuation of pastoral practices and the empowerment of land users may facilitate coexistence. Mutual recognition and participation of local stakeholders seems an unavoidable step in developing more collaborative approaches that respect the needs and aspirations of rural communities while contributing to the EU's restoration and conservation goals. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Spatial-Temporal Monitoring of Water Quality in Rural Property Enrolled in a Program for Payment for Environmental Water Services (PES-Water)—A Case Study in Brazil

Payments for ecosystem (or environmental) services (PES) encourage land users to manage their land in ways that deliver environmental benefits. This study aimed to assess the water quality in a rural property located in the Protection and Recovery of Watersheds of Campinas, which has been participating in the payment for ecosystem services program since 2018. More specifically, seven points of interest regarding the physicochemical indicators of the water were raised, which were subjected to descriptive statistical and variance analysis. The results revealed significant spatio-temporal variability in the monitored water quality indicators for dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, pH, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen. More significant fluctuations were observed in the spatial location of the sampling points for turbidity, temperature, and electrical conductivity. However, the greatest variability depends on the time of year when the samples were collected.

Legal issues in the property, use, preservation, and management of agricultural lands in Bulgaria

This article reviews the subject of ‘agricultural lands’ in Bulgaria from a legal aspect, for the period 1878-2023. It analyses the normative acts, legal consequences and the most important legal changes that the land reforms in the country derive from. There is a review of the processes of restitution, land-settlement, and limitations of property; the initiation of cadastral maps and other events and initiatives related to them; legal actions of the administrative and judicial organs; and decisions related to the judicial and constitutional control, related to the owners and users of agricultural lands. There is some detailing of how the latter perform their legal rights to the land in certain cases. The study is provisionally divided into three sub-periods: the first presents legislation in Bulgaria related to agricultural lands in the period after the establishment of the Third Bulgarian State. It gives explanation to some important moments, deriving from the historical participation of the country in the political events related to the Balkan Peninsula and the First World War, as well as to the policies of land-settlement, organisation and cooperation of the agricultural subjects; establishment of the first administrative bodies; and the administration of the processes related to the property and in particular to the agricultural land. The second period reflects on the legislation defined by the collectivisation and expropriation of the private property, the limitation of the economic relations in regard to the agricultural lands, and the following redefining of the legal institutes related to the property of agricultural land. In a sense the first two parts of the article give answers to the reasons and the need for the last land reform performed after 1989. A milestone in the article is the process of restitution as well as the problems of the legal doctrine of the last period from 1989 until 2023. Apart from identifying the most important problems of the management of the legal aspect of the restitution processes, the article provides a short review of the new course and the ‘curve’ of the legislation regarding agricultural land. The newest changes in the trajectory of the public relations and the legal challenges deriving from the legal order in the European Union are presented, including: legal contradictions of the Bulgarian legislation with the law of the EU; reflection of the structural funds over the legal processes related to the agricultural lands; and the ‘green’ payments and consolidation of the property in agricultural lands. At the end there are some suggestions for the improvement of the legal framework regarding the agricultural lands in the country. The article uses several legal methods, including legal-historical, positive legal analysis, and a normative approach in explaining the offers suitable for the change of the legal framework regarding agricultural lands.

Unveiling Travel Patterns and Challenges Considering Mixed Land Use and User Behavior in an Indian City

Transportation and land use are inextricably linked. Travel patterns are influenced by the location, design of new developments, and users’ behavior. In many Tier II cities in India where rapid transit systems are unavailable, such as Vadodara, spatial and transportation planning lack integration with land use. This disconnect neglects user behavior and travel needs, resulting in congestion and pollution as ongoing, reactive challenges rather than being addressed through sustainable and proactive solutions. This research used a triangulation approach incorporating literature analysis, questionnaire surveys, and field observations to enhance the robustness of the results. After a comprehensive analysis, findings were derived from the user behavior, traffic patterns, and field observations for mixed land use. The study revealed a heavy reliance on private vehicles for work trips (53%) despite low satisfaction with sustainable transport options (average rating of 2.8 out of 5). Infrastructure issues, such as disorganized parking and pedestrian safety concerns, exacerbate congestion and pollution. This study recommends a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (C.M.P.) and a land use and transport integration (LUTI) cell to address these issues and promote sustainability. Future research should explore comparative studies, socioeconomic factors, and legal frameworks for sustainable development.

Nature management features in the National Nature Park «Skolivski Beskydy»

The article analyzes the distribution of land within the NNP «Skolivski Beskydy» by landowners and land users. Within the territory transferred to the Park for permanent use, the area of land is 35261.2 hectares, of which 10892.0 hectares of land are included in the boundaries of the National Nature Park without their withdrawal from land users (Skole forestry). The lands provided to the Park for permanent use are divided into the following functional zones: protected - 23.4%; regulated recreation - 35.3%; stationary recreation - 0.4%; economic - 40.9%. The lands of the Skole Military Forestry are represented only by the economic zone (100%). Out of the six forestries of the Park, the largest share of the protected area is located in the Maidansky and Pidhorodtsivsky forestries. The area of regulated recreation is mainly concentrated in Pidhorodtsi, Butyvlia and Skole forestries, due to the location of some of the most visited locations: Tustan, Parashka and Lopata mountains, Gurkalo and Kamianka waterfalls, Kamianka and Pavliv Stream recreational area, tourist routes and ecological trails. The economic zone makes up a significant share of the Park's area, but its distribution among forestries is relatively even and, compared to two forestries (Korchyn and Korostiv) of the Skole Military Forestry, is much smaller. A significant share of the total area of the Park (35261.2 hectares) is forestry land. According to the forest cadastre compiled by the Lviv Forestry Expedition, it was found that the forested land is 95-98%, the share of non-forested land (arable land, hayfields, pastures, water, swamps, estates, roads, and other non-forested land) is 1.49-3.0%. The main forest-forming tree species of the Skole Beskydy National Park are medieval fir, beech and spruce plantations. The largest areas in the Park are occupied by beech (55.0%), spruce 22.3% and fir 18.5% of the stands. As a result of a scientifically based approach to forest management in the Park, the share of European spruce in the plantations was reduced and the share of fir increased. According to the zoning data, it has been established that the regulated recreation area is mainly composed of lands under forest vegetation, bio-grasslands, hayfields, water, swamps, lakes, etc. The zone of stationary recreation is mainly formed by bio-lawns and hayfields. The protected zone and the economic zone are mainly forest lands covered with forest vegetation, and bio-layers are the ones that are not covered. The difference in the designated zones lies in the approaches to nature management. In the protected area, any economic activity is prohibited, except for research. In the economic zone, selective sanitary felling, thinning, lighting, clearing, etc. are carried out.

Unveiling the nexus of scientific plans and real-world outcomes: A comparative analysis of land use optimization and agent-based simulation results in a natural landscape

Sustainable land management requires balancing the socio-economic needs of local communities with land conservation. Effective land management programs hinge on how well plans align with the demands and actions of land users in natural landscapes. This study aimed to create optimized land use plans for a Jahan-Nama protected area in Iran as the initial step, followed by simulating stakeholder plans and conducting a comparative analysis. A combination of compromise programming and a simulated annealing algorithm, alongside an agent-based model (ABM) to simulate stakeholder preferences, was employed for land use optimization. The study compared the outcomes of eight optimized scenarios that considered both socio-economic needs (social, economic) and environmental sustainability (environmental), along with stakeholder preferences reflected in multi-objective scenarios with varying priorities and a single-use livestock grazing scenario. Findings revealed that the grazing scenario (single-use) offered the highest employment rate (201 individuals) within the study area, but had the lowest economic efficiency (profitability ratio: 13.38). Additionally, the grazing scenario exhibited the highest water consumption (42,200 L/day) and the highest erosion rate compared to the other scenarios. Conversely, the beekeeping and ecotourism scenario emerged as the most economically efficient (profitability ratio: 46.31) with the lowest water consumption (23,000 L/day). Among the scenarios examined, the highest level of agreement was observed for the simulated sites chosen by beekeepers and the beekeeping and ecotourism (BTP) scenario (Kappa = 0.176). Conversely, the economic scenario (EC) had the lowest agreement with the beekeepers' selected sites (Kappa = 0.135). In terms of ecotourism, the results indicated the highest agreement between the tourists' sites and the ecotourism and recreational scenario (Kappa = 0.332 in single-agent mode and 0.405 in multi-agent mode). On the other hand, the livestock grazing scenario had the lowest level of agreement with the tourists' selected sites (Kappa = 0.282 in single-agent mode and 0.362 in multi-agent mode).

Development on Master Plan for Community Learning Centers in Public Area

Objectives: The objectives of the study are: (1) to study, survey, collect, analyze and design land plot of the area (2) to apply the King’s philosophy for area utilization into the master plan and (3) to develop a prototype of area utilization and suggestions on architectural design with the model of public area usage. Theoretical Framework: The proposed master plan is developed by two theoretical frameworks: (1) the five steps of master plan development process and (2) King’s philosophy which consists of two main concepts: “sufficiency economy” and “new theory agriculture”. Method: The methodology is designed based on the five steps of masterplan development as follows: (1) setting the public hearing through community forum. (2) Studying information from documents and electronic resources. (3) Studying and data analyzing on (a) the land users; organization, and the users’ behavior (b) the project elements; area requirement, function diagram, and circulation chart (c) site location, site specification and site analysis (d) data on system work and building structure system; electrical system, lighting, water supply system, sanitation system and surface irrigation drainage system for agriculture. (4) Developing the master plan of community learning centers by brainstorming of the development ideas and summarizing of the master plan. (5) Proposing the master plan to the local agencies to apply the results in practice appropriately. Results and Discussion: The results and discussion of the study is shown that the local agencies accepted to use the area identified in the master plan as the following centers: (1) The King’s Philosophy center (2) Wisdom Conservation, Local Arts and Cultural learning center (3) Cultural Tourism learning center (4) Academic and Professional Services learning center (5) Nature and Environmental Conservation Research Center (6) Resort accommodation for ecotourism and rural tourism (7) Convention, Seminar and Banquet Center and (8) Green spaces, nature, parks for recreations, sports and traditional activities. Research Implications: The implications of the study recommended that the area stakeholders should be mindset changed that focusing on development of self-reliance, create good interactions in communities, houses, temples, schools, create agricultural networks and exchange agricultural knowledge as well as support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Originality/Value: The value of the study is presented as the guidelines for development of the learning centers which should be driven by three principles: (1) driven by farmers networks in the local area (2) driven by farmers’ group supported by government organizations, and (3) driven by the integration of educational institutions (Phranakhon Rajabhat University and Srinakharinwirot university) and Nakhon Nayok province and would be practical used for the province’s policy through public hearing.

Update on the assessment of the condition of lands and their restoration, following the consequences of martial law

The article is devoted to the study of selective problematic aspects regarding the assessment of the condition of the lands and the needs and possible ways of restoring the lands that were damaged as a result of the military actions of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to the need and difficulty of clearing mined areas, which should be done with an integrated approach, but this process requires and will require a large amount of time and resources. The main focus is on the need to create a comprehensive strategy for land restoration, which will include damage assessment, development of new legal acts, as well as implementation of mechanisms for the protection and restoration of land resources as a component of the environment. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to introduce so-called «red zones» in the most dangerous and polluted territories, where economic or personal activities are dangerous for the health of the population, which needs to be taken into account, including the period of active hostilities in certain territories. The article also considers the experience of other countries that faced such problems, in particular, for example, the country of France after the First World War, and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation with the organization of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to ensure effective restoration of lands. In addition, it is proposed to introduce amendments to the tax legislation of Ukraine for a balanced temporary exemption of land owners or land users from taxes for the time of restoration works, which will contribute to more efficient use of resources. In addition, it was noted that the state government should take all organizational measures as much as possible in order to receive reparations for crimes against the environment from the aggressor country. The work emphasizes the importance of harmonizing the environmental policy of Ukraine with the norms of the European Union in the context of European integration, because Ukraine has a European integration course and environmental changes are also one of the conditions for joining the European Union, so the reconstruction of destroyed cities should already be in accordance with the norms of the European Union.

Sustainable land and irrigation management to limit loss of hydropower in the Andes-Amazon headwaters

Water plays a critical role in adapting food and energy systems to climate change in the Andes. However, robust climate solutions that work across sectors have not been explored for these working landscapes. Here we develop a framework consisting of high-fidelity catchment and hydropower models while considering climate and other uncertainties in a robust, bottom-up manner for the upper Huallaga River in Peru. We then explore adaptation strategies across sectors. Our results highlight that irrigation will be critical for maintaining food production under climate change. Yet, an unplanned expansion of irrigation could lead to a near total loss of firm hydropower downstream. Exploring 10,080 possible landuse/management adaptation pathways, we find limited opportunities for win-win solutions under climate change. In the light of such challenges, our results highlight the need for navigating structural trade-offs between upstream land and water users and downstream interests in the Andes in a strategic and equitable manner.

Peculiarities of the subjective composition of permanent land users

The article is devoted to the topical issues of legal regulation of relations regarding the acquisition of land plots of the respective designated purpose on the terms of permanent use. The author conducts a historical analysis of perpetual usufruct starting from 1918 when landowners transferred land to peasants without redemption. Considerable attention is paid to the characterization of the Land Code of 1990, with a list of individuals and legal entities to whom land plots were granted on the right of permanent use. The author analyzes in detail the case law on the transfer of the right of permanent use acquired in accordance with the established procedure before January 1, 2002 by an individual for the purpose of running a peasant (farm) to a farm with the status of a legal entity, as well as the transfer of such title to successors as a result of reorganization, regardless of the organizational and legal form and type of activity. The author identifies a list of clear steps for the possibility of re-registering the right of permanent use or lease from the founder (participant) of an individual to a farm as a legal entity. The author characterizes the types of activities which may be carried out by permanent land users on agricultural land plots. Based on the results of the analysis of the regulatory framework and case law, the author formulates a list of entities which may currently have the right to permanent use of land plots. Among them: 1) legal entities that may acquire land plots in accordance with Part 2 of Article 92 of the Land Code of Ukraine; 2) individuals who have land plots for personal (subsidiary) farming; 3) individuals who have land plots for peasant (farm) farming; 4) farms that have land plots for running a peasant (farm) economy; 5) legal entities listed in Article 7 of the Land Code of 1990, if they continue their activities, and in case of reorganization – their legal successors, regardless of the organizational and legal form and type of activity.

The practice of protecting agricultural land in Jiangsu Province of China

The safeguarding of agricultural land is rooted in national land surveys and remote sensing data, which are enhanced by contemporary information technology. This framework facilitates the monitoring and regulation of unauthorized alterations in cultivated land usage. This paper aims to analyze land policies at the national, provincial, and local levels, investigate the cultivated land protection strategies implemented within the research region, where the policies have gained societal acceptance, and propose recommendations and countermeasures to enhance the development and utilization of land resources. The central issue of this study is to identify the challenges in achieving a balance between human activities and natural ecosystems. To address this issue, the research employs a combination of literature review, semi-structured interviews, text analysis, and content analysis, emphasizing the integration of empirical fieldwork and theoretical frameworks. Key areas of focus include: (a) the current state of the farmland protection system, (b) the legal foundations for local enforcement, (c) the systematic mechanisms for implementing arable land protection, and (d) the coordinated oversight system involving both the Party and government. Notably, the practice of cultivated land protection faces several challenges, primarily stemming from two factors. Firstly, there exists a disconnect between the economic interests of certain illegal land users and the objectives of land management, which hinders effective enforcement. Secondly, environmental repercussions arise from misinterpretations of land policy or non-compliant land development practices aimed at profit, which contradict the goals of ecological sustainability. The study examines two approaches to address the issue: the distribution and effective use of land resources, and the capacity for monitoring and early warning systems. Findings indicate that Dongtai City in Jiangsu Province has rigorously implemented all national land management policies, while also preserving the adaptability of local townships in practical applications, thereby ensuring the consistency of both the quality and quantity of arable land.

Bohccuid dálvebiebman – váikkuhusat bohccuid láhttenvieruide, boazodoalu geavadagaide ja birrasii

This report is based on the results from a Nordic network project funded by The Nordic Joint Committee for Agricultural and Food Research (NKJ) during the years 2021-2022. This network was created to encourage further cross-border discussions about the prospects of winter feeding of reindeer. In reindeer husbandry winter feeding has increased during the last decades due to competing land use activities and climate change. Herders in Norway, Sweden and Finland have previously raised concerns about the benefits and risks associated to the increasing need of winter feeding of reindeer in all three countries. The report, published in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and North Sámi, and covers the main findings from a series of preparatory workshops within each country and a main workshop in Arvidsjaur 8-9 June 2022. During the network activities, reindeer herders, researchers and managers discussed the effects of feeding on reindeer behaviour, herding practices and the environment. The two main topics discussed at the preparatory workshops were 1) the short- and long-term effects of winter feeding on reindeer behaviour, and 2) local to large scale effects of feeding on the environment and the natural pastures. During the main workshop, discussions were held about reasons for feeding of reindeer, the preconditions of feeding in the three countries, how winter feeding is usually performed, and best practices in relation to reindeer behaviour and the environment. The work aimed at promoting knowledge exchange on winter feeding of reindeer among all participants to help find solutions and mitigation actions to avoid changes in reindeer behaviour and negative effects of feeding on reindeer, reindeer herding and the environment. The report is aimed at herders, managers, as well as other land users, authorities and policymakers to give information on what was discussed and a summary of the challenges related to winter feeding and effects on reindeer behaviour and reindeer husbandry, and the environment. Rangifer Report No 23 is the North Sámi version of the report. The Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian versions have already been published (Rangifer Report No 18, 19 and 20 respectively).

Historical and Legal Aspects of the Use of Land Plots for Horticulture

The article focuses on the peculiarities of legislative support for the establishment and development of land plots for horticulture within a historical context. Given that the current legal regulation of land use in the field of horticulture significantly differs from that which existed before the start of land reform in Ukraine, the article analyses the normative-legal framework that has laid the groundwork for the initiation of this type of land use. As a result of the analysis, the role of gardening and viticulture societies is characterized, which were users of land for collective gardening and viticulture even during Soviet times. Attention is drawn to the fact that the Land Code of the Ukrainian SSR of 1970 enshrined only the collective organizational and legal form of gardening (viticulture) and contained provisions according to which the lands occupied by collective gardens are in permanent use by gardening (viticulture) societies.Land plots were allocated to them from reserve lands, the state forest fund, and vacant lands within populated areas. Membership in the society was limited to citizens who did not own private plots or gardens. The activities of each society as a legal entity were regulated by the society’s charter, which was registered in accordance with established procedures. On the land plots designated for collective gardening (viticulture), members of the society were to establish orchards and vineyards on a collective basis and carry out the construction of summer­type garden buildings. Special attention in the article is given to the analysis of social relations that are formed in the field of gardening, which have undergone significant changes due to the initiation of land reform, as well as the adoption of the Land Code of the Ukrainian SSR in 1990 and its new edition in 1992. The article also analyzes the provisions of the current Land Code of Ukraine that regulate the mechanism for transferring land of general use into private ownership of legal entities of gardening societies. It examines, in a comparative aspect, the legal regime of land of general use and other categories of land in Ukraine.

Evaluation of the soil quality using health index in temperate European conditions (Slovak Republic)

Land users and policy makers recognize importance of soil health and these types of evaluations are welcomed within sustainable land management. The aim of this study was to establish minimum and maximum values of soil health index across the breadth of agricultural used soils of Slovakia. Core objectives included (1) identifying the range of soil health benchmarks; (2) defining benchmarks for different land uses, and (3) defining benchmarks of soil health index for main groups of agricultural soils in Slovakia. These benchmarks represent the first soil health metrics of their kind in Slovakia using data from 266 locations. The soil health index (SHI) approach has been used as a quantitative tool to establish linkage between soil health and soil ecosystem services. We recorded the highest average SHI value in the very warm climatic region of the Slovak Republic, where the majority of agriculturally used arable soils (with an optimal pH value without contamination) are located. The locality with lowest SHI value is in a slightly warm area on soil used as arable soil with a very small depth of humus horizon, with by the pH value in an acidic area, and with a high content of clay. The typical SHI in humus-rich soil groups of Slovakia (Mollic Fluvisols, Chernozems and Cutanhic Luvisols) is higher contrasted with the typical SHI in other soil groups of Slovakia.

Conflicts in Land Use and Management

As land is limited, conflicts between land uses, and, consequently, conflicts between land users about land use inevitably arise. The objective of this paper is to provide a broad, cross-sectional overview of land use conflicts as perceived by different actors and to explore the actors’ experiences with these conflicts. We conducted 45 face-to-face interviews with key land use actors in the Republic of North Macedonia. Then we applied a qualitative text analysis or identification of keywords to identify the most relevant conflicts across all land use sectors (agriculture, forestry, nature protection, etc.) and their impacts on local actors’ daily experiences. The results show that actors are aware of many diverse land use conflicts, most frequently regarding land uses for environmental/species conservation, forestry, and agriculture. Thus, land use conflicts play an important and mostly negative role in the experiences of land use actors. These findings fill current gaps in the literature on land use conflicts regarding the types of conflicts of which actors are aware and the consequences of these conflicts. The results also underline the relevance of addressing conflicts in land use planning and governance, the need for appropriate conflict management, and the necessity of providing local actors with sufficient resources to deal with land use conflicts.

THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL NATURE OF THE MINIMUM TAX LIABILITY

The relevance of the study of the economic and legal nature of the minimum tax liability is due to several factors. Firstly, being relatively new for Ukraine, this type of tax has not yet been sufficiently studied by scholars. Secondly, due to the specifics of the object of taxation, the introduction of the minimum tax liability significantly affects the taxation of farmers – owners of agricultural land and land users, producers of agricultural products, who are among the most vulnerable segments of the population. Thirdly, such a reform of the tax burden on business entities in agriculture, as one of the sectors most affected by Russia's armed aggression, requires a thorough analysis of its timeliness and appropriateness. This necessitates a study of theoretical and practical aspects, potential risks of introducing the minimum tax liability, as well as the formulation of proposals for solving problematic issues in this area, which is the purpose of the study. The research methodology includes a number of methods of scientific knowledge: the philosophical (dialectical) method, general scientific methods (the method of analysis and the formal logical method), as well as methods related to special scientific methods (formal legal and comparative legal). Results. The study of the economic and legal nature of the minimum tax liability concluded that there is a tendency to expand the range of taxpayers. In particular, at the expense of individuals – members of private farms. The article proves that such innovations lead to the loss of existing tax privileges for farms and increase the tax burden for these entities. The authors identify the risks of introducing a minimum tax liability, including incentives for farmers to alienate agricultural land or transfer it to other persons, alienation of farmers from the main means of production, and increased unemployment. It is established that the introduction of the minimum tax liability under the existing conditions is a violation of the fundamental principles of tax legislation of Ukraine. The generalisations obtained can be used to amend the tax legislation and will be useful in conducting scientific research on tax and agricultural legal relations.

Optimization of Methods for Rent Assessment of Land Parcels with the Permitted Use for Improvement

The paper deals with the comprehensive study of calculation methods and the author’s methodology for adjusting the amount of rental payments for land parcels in state ownership with the permitted use for improvement using the case of Irkutsk city. The paper is focused on the urgent problem of compliance with established principles for determination of rent for land parcels, especially the principles of predictability of calculations, prevention of deterioration in the economic condition of land users and support of socially significant activities. A study of domestic and foreign practice has revealed two main problems in calculation of land rent: the adequacy of the cadastral value of land, mainly due to taking into account the maximum number of relevant factors, and the correctness of adjustment factors to this value when determining the rental rate. Using Irkutsk city as an example, the following shortcomings were found in the existing approaches: inaccuracy of the calculations and fixed coefficients and percentages applied to the calculation of rent within the municipality, regardless of the forms of permitted use. Special attention is paid to areas intended for improvement. These areas cannot be classified as investment assets that bring economic benefits. It is proposed to individualize the determination of adjustment factors to the cadastral value, taking into account the cadastral quarter and the type of permitted use. The developed changes comply with the principles for determination of rent enshrined in the legislation of the Russian Federation. The proposed methodological improvements were tested by comparison of actual and estimated rent receipts to the budget of Irkutsk city in 2023. The application of the proposed methodology will prevent the termination of land lease agreements due to unreasonably inflated rent costs, ensuring a balance of public and private interests.

Land suitability and human adaptation: River Siang from Sangam to Pongging, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Land suitability in mountainous regions profoundly influences human adaptation strategies, particularly in environments shaped by morphometric characteristics. This study focuses on the Siang river valley from Sangam to Pongging, Arunachal Pradesh, India, employing Land Suitability Analysis (LSA) to assess terrain viability for settlement, and orchard cultivation. Key determinants such as topographic features, drainage morphometry, and infrastructural accessibility were analyzed to develop thematic maps delineating optimal zones for different land uses. The research underscores how geomorphic attributes and accessibility influence settlement patterns and orchard suitability, with lower elevations proving favorable for settlements and orchards due to accessible topography and climatic conditions. By integrating spatial analysis techniques and assessing variables like elevation, slope, and proximity to infrastructure by euclidian distance and pareto principle (80/20 rule), this research provides a comprehensive framework for informed land use planning. Strategic planning recommendations emphasize sustainable practices and community engagement to balance development needs with environmental preservation in Arunachal Pradesh's rugged terrain. It advocates for collaborative efforts between stakeholders to optimize land utilization and foster resilient development amidst challenging environmental conditions. This initial attempt aims to raise awareness among land users, planners, research workers, and administrators to ensure proper and effective land management.

Development of Land Suitability Assessment Applications for Sorghum, Sweet Potato and Sugarcane

Cultivation of food crops should be done on suitable land based on the results of the soil suitability assessment. The Soil Suitability Assessment Framework was initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Today, smartphones have become a ubiquitous technology for solving problems in most environments, including: Assessment of soil suitability for food crops, plantations and many others. This white paper aims to address these benefits by transforming the framework into a mobile app. This solution aims to help land users conduct land valuations more effectively and efficiently. A rule-based system (RBS) algorithm is used to build the framework into a set of rules that are interconnected to draw land suitability conclusions. Regulations relate to annual rainfall, land topography, drainage, soil type, pH, flood risk, soil fertility, soil depth, etc. Only three of his food crops, sorghum, sweet potato, and sugarcane, will be evaluated in this study. Agroclimatic data governing crop suitability have evolved into generic and crop-specific criteria. An application that assesses land suitability for three food crops will be available on the Play Store for smartphones. Usability models were surveyed by 35 respondents who used the app. The user-friendliness of the app was evaluated as "very good."

Development of Land Suitability Assessment Applications for Sorghum, Sweet Potato and Sugarcane

Cultivation of food crops should be done on suitable land based on the results of the soil suitability assessment. The Soil Suitability Assessment Framework was initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Today, smartphones have become a ubiquitous technology for solving problems in most environments, including: Assessment of soil suitability for food crops, plantations and many others. This white paper aims to address these benefits by transforming the framework into a mobile app. This solution aims to help land users conduct land valuations more effectively and efficiently. A rule-based system (RBS) algorithm is used to build the framework into a set of rules that are interconnected to draw land suitability conclusions. Regulations relate to annual rainfall, land topography, drainage, soil type, pH, flood risk, soil fertility, soil depth, etc. Only three of his food crops, sorghum, sweet potato, and sugarcane, will be evaluated in this study. Agroclimatic data governing crop suitability have evolved into generic and crop-specific criteria. An application that assesses land suitability for three food crops will be available on the Play Store for smartphones. Usability models were surveyed by 35 respondents who used the app. The user-friendliness of the app was evaluated as "very good."