Profitable Land Use Research Articles

Assessment of land dynamics transformation into tea plantations using support vector machine

Precisely monitoring land use dynamics and spatial distributions is essential for sustainable development and long-term land management. Tea is one of the leading beverage crops cultivated in Bangladesh, expanding rapidly in northern districts and forcing land use change. This study aims to decipher the expansion of tea cultivation and land dynamics transformation to tea land areas in the northern region of Bangladesh by using Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS surface reflectance images. The supervised support vector machine (SVM) method was used for classification purposes, resulting in three classified maps for the years 2004, 2013 and 2022, having overall accuracies of 91.43 %, 98.67 %, and 98.48 % and kappa coefficients of 89.51, 98.37, and 98.13, respectively. The images were classified into six land use classes: agriculture, tea cultivation area, settlement, waterbody, bare land, and forest. Land transformation results reveal that overall tea land increased by 41.08 % from 2004 to 2022, experiencing a downward trend during 2004–2013, while from 2013 to 2022, a dramatic rise of 70.01 % (equal to 4683.60 ha) tea cultivation area was found in Panchagarh district. The bare land was among the most highly transformed land classes into tea plantations, followed by the forest area. This study provides evidence of transforming underutilized land class into a profitable land use practice, i.e., tea plantation. Thus, cutting-edge technologies would be imperative in land transformation detection for sustainable land management and policy implications for the sustainable development of small landholding livelihoods and the tea industry.

Land suitability evaluation in yaadhalli-1 microwatershed of Yadgir taluk and District of Karnataka, India, using remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) tools

In present investigation, five soil series were identified and mapped into eleven mapping units using GIS technique in Yaadahalli-1 microwatershed of Yadgir Taluk and District of Karnataka, India. The soils were varied from deep to very deep in depth, sandy clay loam to sandy clay in texture, very gently sloping, moderate erosion and non gravelly in nature. These soils were grouped into land capability class II (87%) and IV (2%) with limitations of soil characteristics and erosion. Land suitability evaluation showed a maximum area under highly suitable (S1) land for growing agricultural (sorghum, sunflower, Bengal gram and cotton) and horticultural (brinjal, onion, Bhendi, musambi, lime and custard apple) crops followed by moderately suitable (Class S2) land with minor limitations of texture, rooting depth, drainage and calcareousness. The marginally suitable (Class S3) land covers a minimum area with major limitations of rooting depth, gravelliness, texture and calcareousness. Currently not suitable (Class N1) land covers a negligible area with severe limitations of rooting depth and gravelliness. The results of this study could be used to provide the baseline information needed for mapping specific soil resource constraints for sustainable production of these crops in the study area. Therefore, the integration of remote sensing & GIS techniques could be envisaged as a laudable resource sustainable approach to model the growth of these crops in order to enhance profitable land use planning decision support for sustainable crop production in the study area.

Performance of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) based agri-horticultural land uses in rainfed condition on degraded lands in North Western Himalayas, India

A field experiment was undertaken to identify profitable land use based on productivity, net present value, biomass and carbon stocks in litchi based land uses (LBLUs) during 1995–2015 established on degraded riverbed lands of western Himalaya, India. Results of LBLUs (20 years) revealed that LCT + LH + LPG land use produced 6.10–25.27%, 5.82–14.92% and 3.45–13.62% more fruit yield, 14.61–25.22%, 10.18–16.38% and 9.10–16.62% more total biomass, 2.95–9.51%, 0.03–4.54% and 1.60–8.26% higher carbon in soil and 6.93–14.76%, 4.60–10.03% and 6.29–13.14% more total carbon stocks as compared to sole litchi land use of 1st, 2nd and 3rd phase, respectively. Similarly, 80.39% and 78.56% more NPV, 11.74% and 19.77% higher BCR with shortest payback period (5 years) were realized in LCT + LH + LPG land use for 20 and 50 years, respectively. Sensitivity analysis also revealed that changes in discount rate will not affect its performance ranking.

Pollinator Abundance in Semiarid Pastures as Affected by Forage Species

The semiarid Texas High Plains has a declining water supply for irrigated crop production because of unsustainable pumping from the Ogallala aquifer. Conversion of land from annual crops to limited‐irrigated perennial forages is an option for profitable land use. ‘WW‐B.Dahl’ old world bluestem [Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz) S.T. Blake, OWB] is a well‐adapted grass known for deterring some soil‐dwelling insects, but effects of OWB on insect pollinators are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether adapted forage types (species or mixtures) affected insect pollinator abundance in pastures. Foraging insects were collected using bee bowls and compared among OWB alone, OWB mixed with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), alfalfa, and a native grass mix. Twenty‐one families from four orders of insects were recovered over 3 yr. Sweat bee (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) was the most abundant family, with 59% of the total number of insects collected. Honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) constituted an additional 17% of the total number of insects collected, with hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) and skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) found in lesser abundances. Interactions between forage type and years restricted consistent forage‐type effects. In general, the lowest abundances of foraging insects were commonly found in OWB growing alone, especially of the native, ground‐nesting sweat bee, whereas greater abundances were more commonly found in native grass and alfalfa pastures. Widespread adoption of WW‐B.Dahl OWB may reduce local numbers of foraging insects in the Texas High Plains, which could negatively affect pollinators in managed grasslands.

Is forestry really more profitable than upland farming? A historic and present day farm level economic comparison of upland sheep farming and forestry in the UK

There are currently 3.16 million hectares of woodland cover in the United Kingdom. At a European scale, the UK is one of the countries with the lowest woodland cover, currently extending to only 13% of the total land area of the UK, this is less than half of the European Union (EU) average of 37 per cent. A significant study carried out by Read et al. (2009) identified that UK wide there is a need to increase significantly levels of new planting and forest creation by more than 23,000ha each year over the next 40 years if a substantial influence on reversing climate change is to be realised. It is clear that expansion of the total forested area in the UK necessitates the establishment of new woodland and forest cover on farmland which is either owner occupied or rented out.The main barriers to woodland establishment on farmland cited in the literature, include cultural resistance notably a dichotomous view of farming and forestry as being competing land uses; and lack of awareness of the potential economic benefits of woodland. This study intended to provide information that will improve farmers and landowners understanding of the potential economic differences between business as usual (sheep farming) and woodland creation in the uplands of the UK. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bio-economic potentials of temperate upland clear fell forestry systems in the UK over the last 60 years and determine if afforestation of upland farms has historically produced, and will in the future produce better financial outcomes than conventional upland sheep farming. The study used a bio-economic model based on discounted cash flow analysis to compare and evaluate a conventional upland sheep grazing system against a temperate upland forestry system.Historic investments to cease upland sheep grazing and afforest upland farms in the UK based on historic financial budgeting information available to farmers and landowners in 1956, 1976 would not have been an economically viable and profitable land use change compared to continuation of upland sheep grazing in the UK. Historic markets in 1956 and 1976 were not strong enough to render potential forestry investments profitable without a need for grant assistance. Investments to cease upland sheep grazing and afforest upland farms in the UK in 1996 would have been economically viable and profitable land use investment as timber markets alone were strong enough to render potential forestry investment profitable without a need for grant assistance. Without subsidy, investments to switch from upland sheep grazing and afforest upland farms in 2016 would not be an economically viable and profitable land use change. Current day timber markets alone are not strong enough to influence new woodland establishment.

Financial compensation for biodiversity conservation in Ba Be National Park of Northern Vietnam

Terrestrial biodiversity is seriously threatened by an increasing deforestation rate. Financial incentives can stimulate local people to participate in biodiversity conservation. A common approach to derive financial compensation is estimating the opportunity costs arising from the adoption of conservation-friendly land-use practices. Assuming that farmers are risk averse, we used a decision-making under uncertainty approach to derive financial compensation for local people living in and around Ba Be National Park, Vietnam. Moderately risk-averse farmers need US$ 228ha−1year−1 financial compensation for the protection of natural forests in the Ecological Rehabilitation and Buffer Zones, whereas the required compensation reaches US$ 334ha−1year−1 in the Strict Protection Zone. These compensation payments were derived by comparing financial returns from natural forests with those of the most profitable land-use (maize). Compensation amounts decrease to US$ 130ha−1year−1 in the Ecological Rehabilitation and Buffer Zones and to US$ 218ha−1year−1 in the Strict Protection Zone, when considering diversification strategy. Derived financial compensations assume that farms comprise 20% croplands and 80% forest. We conclude that compensation amounts vary with farmers’ risk preferences, whether or not diversification strategy is considered, and the level of protection of a given area.

Revisiting the urban frontier through the case of New Kvillebäcken, Gothenburg

It has been 20 years since Neil Smith published his classic The New Urban Frontier. In this paper we argue for the continuing relevance of his concepts by analysing the development of a new exclusive residential area (New Kvillebäcken) in the Gustaf Dalén area, a re-purposed industrial site on the edge of the central city of Gothenburg, Sweden. We show how the early millennial plans to create a new city district—Älvstaden (River City)—involved a redrawing of the city map that changed the conditions for this former industrial area from symbolically peripheral (though geographically central) to attractive, but insufficiently exploited, central city land, thus producing a ‘rent gap’. In our reading of Neil Smith’s concept of the urban frontier, we emphasise the close relationship between the frontier mythology that rationalises redevelopment as inevitable through stigmatisation—and the movements of capital—how and where rent gaps are created. The urban frontier creates an analytical space to unravel how the joint forces of the elite (in our case, the close cooperation between private real estate owners and the municipality of Gothenburg) displace long-time inhabitants in urban spaces such as the Gustaf Dalén area to accomplish more financially profitable land use.

Impacts of long-term jujube tree/winter wheat–summer maize intercropping on soil fertility and economic efficiency—A case study in the lower North China Plain

Agroforestry; Wheat–maize rotation; Nutrient competition or consumption; Root density and weight; Ecological benefit; Ecotone Agroforesry is a common traditional practice in China, especially in the saline-alkaline regions, like the lower North China Plain (LNCP) characterized by lower yields of food crops. Adding trees to the agricultural land creates additional fruitsets or woody biomass besides food crops, enabling farmers to diversify the provision of farm commodities. However, the productivity of many agroforestry systems has been lower than expected in recent years, highlighting the need for a mechanistic understanding of below- or above-ground interactions. The study combined investigation and experimental data together to evaluate the effects of long-term intercropping agroforestry system [jujube tree (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. var. inermis (Bunge) Rehd.)/winter wheat–summer maize] on soil fertility balance, crop production and system economic efficiency over the past 22 years in LNCP, with a view to developing an effective fertilization management for the moderately alkaline soils. Except remain higher pH, the soils are basically free of sodic and soil salinity is not the major restriction factor for intercrops, even through there are some fluctuation with season and distance from jujube tree. The intercropping system significantly reduced soil nutrient contents, like soil organic C (SOC), total N (TN), available P (avail. P) and K (avail. K) in most parts of the ecotone of the system, but increased those nutrients in the belt of underneath the edge of tree canopy, The growth of intercrops at the belt of 3.5 m from tree was severely negative stressed by jujube tree in term of lower soil moisture, nitrate, avail. P and K although receiving more photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), whereas the winter wheat growing at the 2.5 m row had more water and nutrients supplied and thus produced more grain yield. Uneven fertilization to the ecotone (about 1–2.5 m of the intercrop field boundary) could partly offset the consumption and competition for nutrients between the tree and the intercrops, and improved the grain yields by 12.1% and 14.5% in the ecotone regions (distance from jujube trees) of 1.5 m for winter wheat and 2.5 m for summer maize by increasing respective yield components. Although the mean grain yield of intercropped winter wheat and summer maize was reduced by 35.6 and 35.2%, respectively, compared to sole cropping system, the intercropping system proved to be a profitable land use type based on net income and economic returns, in addition to the wood and ecological benefits of the jujube tree in the moderate desalinate- alkaline regions.

Low carbon emission development strategies for Jambi, Indonesia: simulation and trade-off analysis using the FALLOW model

Economic growth in rural areas has to align with preservation of land uses that optimise environmental services. This means that trade-offs between economic and ecological priorities need to be understood, quantified and managed. We aimed to estimate the trade-off in the Tanjung Jabung Barat district of Jambi province Indonesia, where traditional agroforestry systems on both peat and mineral soils and logged-over forests give way to monocultural plantations of pulpwood and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). Simulations of a 30-year time period of four scenarios using the FALLOW (Forests, Agroforests, Low-value-Landscape, Or, Wastelands) model show that a business-as-usual scenario of economic growth unhindered by the application of conservation scenarios will lead to high carbon dioxide CO2 emissions. The forest and agroforest protection scenario, with moderate assumptions for peat-based emissions, had opportunity costs of 3–100 USD/t CO2e. This occurred especially when the establishment of oil palm plantations, which are currently the most profitable land use option in the area, is directed solely to under utilized mineral soils. The high trade-off values are difficult to reconcile when relying only on C trading mechanism to offset economic opportunity costs of not converting forests and/or agroforests to plantations. We conclude that law-based protection of existing forests, investment in intermediate intensity agroforestry options that utilize locally adapted trees and do not require drainage of peatlands, and re-introduction of tapping Jelutung (Dyera sp) latex as non-timber peat forest product, are needed in the Tanjabar district to provide options that are sustainable from both ecological and economic perspectives.

Agroforestry: a profitable land use. An overview of the 12th North American Agroforestry Conference

This special issue features papers contributed by presenters at the 12th North American Agroforestry Conference held June 4–9, 2011 in Athens, Georgia, USA. The conference brought together agroforestry researchers, educators, practitioners, and students to highlight agroforestry research, implementation, policy, education, and entrepreneurial opportunities across North America. Eight papers cover topics ranging from adoption of silvopastoral systems across eco-regions and countries; economics of pine straw production; and timber and alley crop production in the Southeastern U.S.; reduction of sublimation of snow with shelterbelts in Canada, carbon offset incentives for agroforestry practices; consumer and market dynamics for chestnut and elderberry specialty crops; and web-based graduate degree and certificate programs in agroforestry.

How attractive are short-term CDM forestations in arid regions? The case of irrigated croplands in Uzbekistan

This study analyzed the financial attractiveness of Clean Development Mechanism Afforestation and Reforestation (CDM A/R) in irrigated agricultural settings. The Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of CDM A/R were estimated by analyzing the case of Khorezm region in Uzbekistan, where a mixed-species tree plantation was established on marginal cropland. The dual purposes of carbon sequestration and production of fruits, leaves as fodder, and fuelwood were studied over a seven-year rotation period. We compared the opportunity costs of land in marginal agricultural areas between this short-rotation plantation forestry and the annual cultivation of the major crops in the region, i.e., cotton, winter wheat, rice, and maize. The analyses were performed considering different levels of irrigation water availability, from 0 to 30,000m3/ha, to reflect the reality of a high variability of water supply in the region. The NPV of CDM A/R ranged between 724 and 5794USD/ha over seven years, depending on the tree species. Among the latter, Elaeagnus angustifolia L. had the highest profits due to the annually recurring cash flows generated from fruit production. Temporary Certified Emission Reductions (tCER) ranged within 399–702USD/ha after the assumed 7-year crediting period and would not suffice to cover initial investments and management costs of tree plantations. IRR peaked at 65% with E. angustifolia under the conventional afforestation and measured −10% and 61% when considering only the tCER and the CDM A/R, respectively. In contrast, other species had higher IRRs in case of the CDM A/R. The total profits from tree plantations exceeded those of both cotton and winter wheat, even with the assumption that there was an optimal irrigation supply for these crops. Rice production was overall the most profitable land use option but required water input of 26,500m3/ha/year, which is not consistently available for marginal croplands. We argue that the current global average price of 4.76 USD/tCER is insufficient to initiate forestry-based CDM projects but, in the absence of other incentives, can still motivate forestation of degraded croplands for land rehabilitation and the provisioning of non-timber products. Given the low irrigation needs of trees, 3–30% of the crop water demand, a conversion of degraded cropland to forested areas could save up to 15,300m3/ha/year at the current tCER price. Combining the monetary value of water and carbon would enlarge the scope for CDM A/R in irrigated drylands, thus enhancing the investments in marginal land rehabilitation and strengthening the resilience of rural populations to the repercussions of climate change.

Drainage development: Driving forces, conducive conditions and development trajectories

AbstractThe core of this paper consists of an analysis of the forces and conducive conditions which historically have driven the drainage development of agricultural land. Such forces and conditions are recognised at three levels of discretion: (i) the generic level (ii) the government level (iii) the on‐farm level. The drainage development for salinity control of irrigated land in the (semi) arid zone is treated as a special case of drainage development driven by its own specific forces and considerations. Relevant comparisons have also been made with the development and adoption of other agricultural technologies such as farm mechanisation the seed–fertiliser package and irrigation. It is concluded that drainage development in regular rainfed agricultural land is primarily driven by its (farm) economic utility as an instrument for achieving more profitable land use and for overcoming constraints to further agricultural development. For drainage development to become a priority the level of agricultural development must generally have passed the threshold level at which the prevailing drainage conditions of the land have become a critical constraint to higher yields crop choice and efficient farm operations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Efficiency of white lupin in the removal of mercury from contaminated soils: Soil and hydroponic experiments

This study examined the ability of the white lupin to remove mercury (Hg) from a hydroponic system (Hg concentrations 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L) and from soil in pots and lysimeters (total Hg concentration (19.2 ± 1.9) mg/kg availability 0.07%, and (28.9 ± 0.4) mg/kg availability 0.09%, respectively), and investigated the accumulation and distribution of Hg in different parts of the plant. White lupin roots efficiently took up Hg, but its translocation to the harvestable parts of the plant was low. The Hg concentration in the seeds posed no risk to human health according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, but the shoots should not be used as fodder for livestock, at least when unmixed with other fodder crops. The accumulation of Hg in the hydroponically- grown plants was linear over the concentration range tested. The amount of Hg retained in the roots, relative to the shoots, was almost constant irrespective of Hg dose (90%). In the soil experiments, Hg accumulation increased with exposure time and was the greater in the lysimeter than in the pot experiments. Although Hg removal was the greater in the hydroponic system, revealing the potential of the white lupin to extract Hg, bioaccumulation was the greatest in the lysimeter-grown plants; the latter system more likely reflects the true behaviour of white lupin in the field when Hg availability is a factor that limits Hg removal. The present results suggest that the white lupin could be used in long-term soil reclamation strategies that include the goal of profitable land use in Hg-polluted areas.

Evaluating combined land conservation benefits from perennial pasture: lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) for management of dryland salinity and herbicide resistance in Western Australia*

The inclusion of perennial pasture phases in cropping rotations has been widely promoted throughout Australia for reducing the incidence of dryland salinity. To a lesser extent, they have also been promoted to enhance the management of herbicide‐resistant weeds. No previous economic analysis of perennial pasture has considered both of these benefits. This study combines a dynamic linear programming model to estimate the magnitude of salinity‐related benefits and a complex simulation model to assess the economics of herbicide‐resistance management. We present a case study of the perennial pasture lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia, where the weed annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) is resistant to multiple herbicide groups. Sequences incorporating lucerne are the most profitable land use at the standard set of parameter values if (i) annual ryegrass is resistant to all selective herbicides, (ii) the water table is so shallow (approximately < 3.5 m deep) that frequent rotation with perennials is required to avert soil salinisation, (iii) sheep production is highly profitable, or (iv) there is a combination of less extreme cases. The value of perennial pasture is sufficient under these circumstances to overcome its high establishment cost and the displacement of multiple years of crop. Consideration of dryland salinity and herbicide resistance are about equally important in evaluating the economics of lucerne; neither should be neglected.

Farm forestry for economic and environmental sustainability - A new decision support system for farm foresters

The objective of this programme is to provide farm foresters and others with knowledge about sustainable and profitable land use with commercial tree crops. Initially the study examined the role of trees in stabilising soils when planted on eroding hill country pasture. Three species - radiata pine, Douglas-fir, and poplar - were compared for effects in reducing erosion. Tree size, tree stocking per hectare, root tensile strength, and rate of decay of roots after harvest were found to be important. Erosion control becomes effective once a stand of trees reached the equivalent of 30 tonnes/ha of radiata pine root biomass. Silviculture, and choice of species, determines to what extent this critical threshold is achieved. Decision support software, developed in this programme as "calculators', estimate the 'Equivalent Farming Gross Margin' of crops of radiata pine, and Douglas-fir, compared to the livestock previously grazing the land. The calculators, which run under Microsoft EXCELTM, also allow the identification of the most profitable silviculture for the tree crop, and generate yield tables. The calculators are being applied in two case studies; the first involves calibrating the radiata pine calculator for Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa against actual tree data. Calibration of the calculator for bare land is also being studied. The second study will investigate how well tree crops can compete financially with pastoral farming systems in the Lake Taupo catchment, where there are increasing concerns about nutrient in-flows from pastoral farming. Further enhancements of the calculators are planned which will permit calibration against younger stands, and evaluation of a much wider range of silviculture. Keywords: farm forestry, erosion, root biomass, root strength, financial return, IRR, PNW, farming gross margin, Pinus radiata, Douglas-fir, poplar

Environmental benefits and sustainable land‐use options in the Jambi transect, Sumatra

Abstract. Loss of environmental services provided by forests is a non‐linear process in Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. Intermediate‐intensity land‐use types in the form of complex agroforests have maintained global environmental benefits under a sustainable and profitable land use regime. Conversion to tree crop monocultures, however, poses a challenge to the environmental stakeholders and an opportunity from to stakeholders in the private economy. We quantified environmental indicators, as well as profitability and sustainability of a range of existing and possible production systems. Criteria and indicators were used at plot to landscape scales, taking into account local, national and global perspectives. Agronomic sustainability and profitability were assessed at plot level as they are of primarily local concern, while environmental services of forests, such as plant species and functional type richness, carbon stocks, greenhouse gas emissions, and trans‐boundary haze, which are of national and global concern, were assessed at landscape level. Quantitative trade‐offs and complementarities were analysed between global environmental benefits and local profitability. The current trend towards simplification of the complex agro‐ecosystems and inherent loss of environmental services of forests is driven by profitability. The sequence in which environmental services of forests are lost is: standing carbon stocks, biodiversity, and low or negative greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental benefits and sustainable land-use options in the Jambi transect, Sumatra

Abstract. Loss of environmental services provided by forests is a non-linear process in Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. Intermediate-intensity land-use types in the form of complex agroforests have maintained global environmental benefits under a sustainable and profitable land use regime. Conversion to tree crop monocultures, however, poses a challenge to the environmental stakeholders and an opportunity from to stakeholders in the private economy. We quantified environmental indicators, as well as profitability and sustainability of a range of existing and possible production systems. Criteria and indicators were used at plot to landscape scales, taking into account local, national and global perspectives. Agronomic sustainability and profitability were assessed at plot level as they are of primarily local concern, while environmental services of forests, such as plant species and functional type richness, carbon stocks, greenhouse gas emissions, and trans-boundary haze, which are of national and global concern, were assessed at landscape level. Quantitative trade-offs and complementarities were analysed between global environmental benefits and local profitability. The current trend towards simplification of the complex agro-ecosystems and inherent loss of environmental services of forests is driven by profitability. The sequence in which environmental services of forests are lost is: standing carbon stocks, biodiversity, and low or negative greenhouse gas emissions.