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Difficulty: MediumAgricultural Systems and Land Use Practices

In agricultural geography, land-use intensity increases as fallow periods shorten and labor inputs per unit area rise. Arrange the following tropical agricultural land-use practices in sequence from the lowest land-use intensity (longest fallow duration) to the highest land-use intensity (continuous cropping).

  1. 1Forest fallow (shifting cultivation)
  2. 2Bush fallow cultivation
  3. 3Short fallow system
  4. 4Continuous multi-cropping

Answer

The correct sequence from lowest to highest land-use intensity is Forest fallow (shifting cultivation), Bush fallow cultivation, Short fallow system, and Continuous multi-cropping.
Forest fallow allows vegetation to regenerate over 20 to 25 years, representing the lowest land-use intensity. Under demographic pressure, fallow periods shorten to bush fallow (6–10 years), then short fallow (1–2 years), and ultimately continuous multi-cropping, where plots produce multiple harvests per year without any fallow period.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the criterion for land-use intensity in agricultural systems.
Land-use intensity is inversely related to fallow length: systems with long rest periods have low intensity, while systems with zero rest period have high intensity.
Theoretical frameworks of agricultural intensification (such as Boserup's model) rank farming systems by cropping frequency and labor density.
2
Evaluate the fallow duration of each given practice.
Forest fallow requires 20–25 years of rest; Bush fallow requires 6–10 years; Short fallow requires 1–2 years; Continuous multi-cropping requires 0 rest years.
Systematic population pressure and land scarcity force farmers to reduce fallow intervals and increase labor inputs.
3
Sequence the items from longest fallow duration to zero fallow duration.
Forest fallow → Bush fallow → Short fallow → Continuous multi-cropping.
This progression reflects increasing land-use frequency and intensity.

Key Concept

Agricultural Intensification and Fallow Sequences
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Agricultural Systems and Land Use Practices

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