5. Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location;
Case Study 1: Agricultural Land Use in the Netherlands
Theories and Perspectives Applied to Agricultural Location:
- Von Thünen’s Model (1826) – Explains how agricultural land use varies with distance from the market.
- Bid-Rent Theory (Alonso, 1964) – Examines land value variations based on accessibility.
- Systems Thinking (Russell Ackoff, 1971) – Emphasizes interconnectedness between agriculture, transportation, and market forces.
Models/Theories/Laws Applied:
- Concentric Zonal Rings Model – Defines agricultural land use in relation to urban centers.
- Economic Rent Model – Determines profitability of agricultural land based on distance.
- Spatial Interaction Model (Reilly, 1931) – Explains movement of agricultural goods to urban markets.
Recent Data:
- Agricultural Land Use: Dairy farming and horticulture dominate areas closest to urban centers.
- Transportation Costs: Higher costs influence crop selection and land use intensity.
- Policy Initiatives: Sustainable farming practices integrated into regional planning.
Spatial Variation:
- Urban Fringe: High land value with intensive farming.
- Peripheral Areas: Moderate agricultural expansion with lower land value.
Temporal Variation:
- Historical Trends: Agricultural zoning evolving since early 20th century.
- Future Projections: Expected rise in precision farming and climate adaptation strategies.
Source:
- Von Thünen’s Agricultural Location Theory
Insight:
The Netherlands’ agricultural land use validates Von Thünen’s Model, emphasizing the role of transportation costs in shaping farming patterns.
Case Study 2: Agricultural Land Use in the United States Midwest
Theories and Perspectives Applied to Agricultural Location:
- Von Thünen’s Model (1826) – Explains how agricultural land use varies with distance from the market.
- Bid-Rent Theory (Alonso, 1964) – Examines land value variations based on accessibility.
- Complex Adaptive Systems Theory (John Holland, 1992) – Examines how agricultural systems evolve over time.
Models/Theories/Laws Applied:
- Concentric Zonal Rings Model – Defines agricultural land use in relation to urban centers.
- Economic Rent Model – Determines profitability of agricultural land based on distance.
- Actor-Network Theory (Latour, 1987) – Investigates relationships between farmers, markets, and policy frameworks.
Recent Data:
- Agricultural Land Use: Corn and soybean farming dominate the Midwest’s agricultural zones.
- Transportation Costs: Rail and road networks influence crop selection and distribution.
- Policy Initiatives: Precision agriculture and sustainable land management strategies implemented.
Spatial Variation:
- Urban Fringe: High land value with intensive farming.
- Peripheral Areas: Moderate agricultural expansion with lower land value.
Temporal Variation:
- Historical Trends: Agricultural zoning evolving since mid-19th century.
- Future Projections: Expected rise in climate-resilient farming techniques.
Source:
- Von Thünen’s Agricultural Location Theory
Insight:
The Midwest’s agricultural land use validates Von Thünen’s Model, emphasizing the role of transportation costs and economic rent in shaping farming patterns.
