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Question

Difficulty: MediumAgricultural Systems and Land Use Practices

Arrange the following agricultural land-use zones according to Von Thünen's model of agricultural location, starting from the central market outwards to the rural periphery:

  1. 1Market gardening and intensive dairying
  2. 2Forestry and fuel wood production
  3. 3Arable crop farming with fallow rotation
  4. 4Extensive livestock ranching

Answer

The correct order from the central market outwards is: Market gardening and intensive dairying, followed by Forestry and fuel wood production, then Arable crop farming with fallow rotation, and finally Extensive livestock ranching.
Von Thünen's model demonstrates that land use intensity decreases as distance from the central market increases due to land rent and transport costs. Market gardening and dairying occupy the first ring because produce is highly perishable. Forestry occupies the second ring owing to the heavy weight and high transport cost of wood. Arable cropping with fallow rotation occupies the middle rings, while extensive livestock ranching operates at the outer periphery where land rent is lowest.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze transport cost and perishability for the innermost zone.
Market gardening and intensive dairying require immediate proximity to urban consumers to prevent spoilage and minimize high unit transport costs.
Perishable goods demand the highest bid-rent location closest to the central market.
2
Determine the spatial position of heavy bulk commodities.
Forestry and fuel wood production occupy the second ring.
Timber is heavy and bulky to haul, placing its ideal location close to town before transport costs exceed product value.
3
Position crop farming systems requiring moderate land areas.
Arable crop farming with fallow rotation forms the middle agricultural belt.
Grains and field crops yield lower returns per hectare than market gardens, requiring cheaper land further from the core.
4
Identify the outermost land-use activity.
Extensive livestock ranching occupies the periphery.
Animals require extensive land per unit of output and can be walked to market, minimizing freight cost constraints.

Key Concept

Von Thünen's Model of Agricultural Land Use
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Topics

Agricultural Systems and Land Use Practices

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