Introduction

"With intensive use of the land, it is necessary not only to think about how to take more from it, but at the same time to take care of increasing the fertility of the soil."

S. Bogolyubov

Centuries-old practice shows that the main sources of viability and prosperity of any state are its land resources and the population living on them. At the same time, land resources should be understood not only as the territory (space) of the state, but also everything that is “above” and “under” this space. The provision of the country with land resources is the most important economic and political factor development of social production. The availability of land resources provides a wide scope for economic development regions of the world.

Land resources - earth's surface suitable for human habitation and for any species economic activity. Land resources are characterized by the size of the territory and its quality: relief, soil cover and a complex of other natural conditions.

The largest countries in the world by area are:

(million km 2)

Russia - 17.1

Canada - 10.0

China - 9.6

Brazil - 8.5

When investigating a problem effective use land resources, it is necessary to single out the concept of effective territory. An effective territory is the territory of the country suitable for economic development.

Major countries world by area of ​​effective territory:

(million km 2)

Brazil - 8.1

Australia - 7.7

China - 6.0

Russia - 5.5

2. Land resources of the world

Improper and uncontrolled land use is the main cause of degradation and depletion of land resources. Current land use often does not take into account the actual potential, productivity and constraints on land use, as well as their spatial diversity. The world population, now 5.4 billion, is expected to reach 6.25 billion by the end of the century. The need to increase food production to meet growing needs places a huge strain on Natural resources including land resources. In many regions, poverty and malnutrition have already become a chronic problem. One of the main dangers is the destruction and degradation of agricultural and environmental resources. Although methods of increasing production and conserving land and water resources already developed, they are not widely or systematically applied. A systematic approach is needed to identify these forms of land use and production systems, which would be sustainable for each specific type of soil and climate zone including the creation of economic, social and organizational arrangements their implementation.

The provision of mankind with land resources is determined by the world land fund, which is 13.4 billion hectares. From individual large regions Africa (30 million km 2) and Asia (27.7 million km 2) have the largest land fund, and Europe (5.1 million km 2) and Australia with Oceania (8.5 million km 2) have the smallest ). However, if we consider the provision of regions with land resources on a per capita basis, then the result will be the opposite: for each inhabitant of sparsely populated Australia there are 37 hectares of land (the maximum figure), and for each inhabitant of Asia - only 1.1 hectares, approximately the same in Europe.

Structure land fund shows how land resources are used. It distinguishes agricultural lands (cultivated - arable land, gardens, sown meadows and natural meadows and pastures), forest lands, lands occupied by settlements, industry and transport, unproductive and unproductive lands.

The largest countries in the world in terms of arable land:

Table 1. The largest countries in the world in terms of arable land

Note. Source:

The most valuable cultivated lands occupy only 11% of the world's land fund. The same indicator is typical for the CIS, Africa, North America. For foreign Europe, this figure is higher (29%), and for Australia and South America - less high (5% and 7%). Countries of the world with largest sizes cultivated land - USA, India, Russia, China, Canada. Cultivated lands are concentrated mainly in forest, forest-steppe and steppe regions. natural areas. Natural meadows and pastures prevail over cultivated lands everywhere (more than 10 times in Australia), except for foreign Europe. Globally, an average of 23% of the land is used for pasture.

The structure of the planet's land fund is constantly changing under the influence of two opposite processes. One is the struggle of mankind for the expansion of lands suitable for habitation and agricultural use (development of fallow lands, melioration, drainage, irrigation, development of coastal areas of the seas); the other is the deterioration of lands, their withdrawal from agricultural circulation as a result of erosion, desertification, industrial and transport development, open development minerals, waterlogging, salinization.

The second process is more rapidly. That's why the main problem of the global land fund - the degradation of agricultural land, as a result of which there is a noticeable reduction in cultivated land per capita, and the "load" on them is constantly increasing. The countries with the lowest provision of arable land per capita are China (0.09 ha), Egypt (0.05 ha).

Efforts are being made in many countries to preserve the land fund and improve its structure. In the regional and global aspect, they are increasingly coordinated by specialized UN bodies - UNESCO, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), etc.

Region	Share of world value
	Land Fund	arable land	Meadows and pastures	the woods	Other lands
Europe	8	27	16	10	16
Asia	33	32	18	28	34
Africa	23	15	24	18	22
North America	17	15	10	17	14
South America	13	8	17	24	9
Australia and Oceania	6	3	15	3	5
The whole world	100	100	100	100	100

Table 2. Structure of land resources of the world, in %

Land resources - this is the entire territory, which is delineated by certain boundaries. They may be in use by various subjects of the country, but, nevertheless, belong to natural objects. Land is a means of production that is used in many industries. economic activity. It is especially in demand in agriculture and forestry.

The land fund of the world is 134 million kilometers. This is 26.3% of the entire territory of the planet.

Land resources have a certain structure. 11% is occupied by arable lands, meadows and gardens. That is, it is cultivated land. About 23% of land is occupied by pastures. Forests and shrubs occupy 30% of all land resources on the planet. Anthropogenic landscapes, that is, created by human hands, account for 3% of the total. There are also unproductive lands accounting for about 33% of the land.

Land resources are unevenly distributed. For example, pastures are most compared to cultivated land. This is especially true for Australia. Russia, the USA, Ukraine, China, Kazakhstan, India and Canada account for the bulk of land used for arable land, gardens and meadows.

Forest areas mainly dominate in Russia, South and North America. Asia is characterized by the presence of unproductive lands.

The structure of land resources may change. This happens for two reasons.

The activities of people leave their mark on the distribution of these lands. A lot of land is allocated for arable land, gardens and meadows. They plow up, forests are cut down, swamps are drained, deserts are irrigated. Yes, for recent decades the area of ​​cultivated land increased by 360 million hectares. Some countries are reclaiming land sea ​​spaces using coastal zone. This is the first reason for changing the structure of land resources.

It is also changing due to the deterioration of land quality. This happens simultaneously with their expansion.

The land resources of Russia are different in their qualities and properties (fertility, the presence of minerals, forests and water massifs). In this regard, they are used, focusing on these characteristics.

Land resources in our country are divided into seven categories:

1. Agricultural land. They include all areas that are suitable for production,

2. Land allotted for settlements. They are located on the territories of administrative entities (cities, villages, etc.). Their main purpose is the construction of buildings and structures necessary for the existence of settlements.

3. Land allocated for use in industry, transport and other related industries.

4. Territories of special value. lands of historical and cultural significance, recreational areas and others.

5. Forest fund of land. These are the lands covered woodlands or reserved for use in the area forestry. They are of particular value in terms of raw materials. The forest is necessary for many branches of the national economic complex. It is also a place of rest and energy source.

6. Land resources occupied water bodies. This also includes hydraulic structures and the areas necessary for their full functioning. They satisfy the household, drinking, health and some other needs of mankind. Such resources are also necessary for the full-fledged work of many areas of the country's economic activity.

Control over the use of all land is exercised by the Committee on Land Resources. Their rational consumption is very important for the conservation of the entire land fund and surrounding nature generally.

Land resources - a type of natural resources, the surface of the Earth, on which various objects of the economy, cities and other settlements can be located. It's in more territorial resources. But when assessing the territory, from the point of view of the possibilities for the development of agriculture and forestry, it is important to consider the quality of the land - their fertility, since the land in this case is the main means of production.

The provision of mankind with land resources is determined by the world land fund, total area which is 13.4 billion hectares (134 million km 2). Of the individual large regions, Africa (30 million km 2) and Foreign Asia (27.7 million km 2) have the largest land fund, and Foreign Europe (5.1 million km 2) and Australia with Oceania (8 .5 million km 2). However, if we consider the provision of regions with land resources on a per capita basis, then the result will be the opposite: for each inhabitant of sparsely populated Australia, there are 37 hectares of land (the maximum indicator), and per inhabitant overseas Asia– only 1.1 ha, approximately the same in overseas Europe.

The structure of the land fund shows how land resources are used. It highlights:

Agricultural land:

cultivated (arable land, orchards, sown meadows) - 11%

natural meadows and pastures - 23%

Forests and lands occupied by shrubs (forest lands) - 30%

Anthropogenic landscapes (settlements, industrial facilities, transport lines) - 3%

Unproductive and unproductive lands (deserts, swamps, glaciers) - 33%

The most valuable - cultivated land. The largest sizes of cultivated lands differ: USA (190 million hectares); India (160 million ha); Russia (134 million ha); China (95 million ha); Canada (46 million ha); Kazakhstan (36 million ha); Ukraine (34 million ha).

The share of cultivated land in the total structure of the land fund for different regions is different. For the CIS, Africa, North America, this figure is close to the average of 11%. For foreign Europe it is higher (29%), and for Australia and South America it is lower (5% and 7% ).

Cultivated lands are concentrated mainly in forest, forest-steppe and steppe natural zones.

Natural meadows and pastures noticeably prevail over cultivated lands everywhere, except for foreign Europe. In Australia, for example, this excess reaches more than 10 times.

Forest lands in the CIS, foreign Europe, North America occupy more area than pastures, but they occupy the largest territories in South America.

As for unproductive lands, their largest areas are located in foreign Asia.

The general structure of the land fund by regions is presented in the table.

	The whole world		Zarub. Europe	Zarub. Asia				Australia and Oceania
Total area (million km 2)
Per capita (ha)
Anthropogenic landscapes
cultivated land
pastures
Unproductive lands

The structure of the planet's land fund is constantly changing under the influence of two opposite processes. One is the struggle of mankind for land expansion suitable for habitation and agricultural use; another - deterioration of land, their withdrawal from agricultural circulation as a result of erosion, desertification, industrial and transport development, open mining.

Man's struggle to expand cultivated land has been going on for many years. In the 20th century alone, the plowed area of ​​the land has doubled. This is due to the reduction of forests, the drainage of swamps, the irrigation of deserts, and the development of virgin lands. Such countries as Russia, Kazakhstan, the USA, Canada, Brazil were especially successful in this. Countries such as the Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, and Singapore launched an active offensive against the coastal areas of the seas, expanding the sown areas due to the advance of land on the sea.

The second process, land degradation, is proceeding at a faster pace. Due to erosion, 6-7 million hectares fall out of agricultural circulation every year. Waterlogging and salinization disable another 1.5 million hectares. But the real disaster that contributes to the decrease in the area of ​​cultivated land is desertification, i.e. conversion of productive land into desert. Desertification has existed on Earth since prehistoric times, but these days it is on a massive scale. It covered 900 million hectares (which is almost equal to the area of ​​the USA) and threatens another 3 billion hectares on the territory of 60 states. The main cause of desertification is human activity. These are overgrazing, deforestation, overexploitation and misuse of cultivated lands. Desertification is important ecological problem affecting the interests of many states.

The degradation of agricultural lands is also due to the emergence of anthropogenic landscapes - urban and rural settlements - and the development of industry. The largest loss of land due to construction is observed in Japan (5.7%).

Thus, the main problem of the world land fund is the degradation of agricultural lands, as a result of which there is a noticeable reduction in cultivated land per capita, and the “load” on them is increasing all the time. The countries with the lowest provision of arable land per capita are China (0.09 ha), Egypt (0.05 ha). In many countries, efforts are being made to preserve the land fund and improve its structure. In the regional and global aspect, they are increasingly coordinated by specialized UN bodies - UNESCO, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), etc. land resources usually refers to certain areas of the land surface with different landscapes, soils, climatic conditions and a number of other properties. One of the main general characteristics of land use according to the FAO methodology, in addition to the total area of ​​the state, is the population density per unit of territory and its development. As for our country, the total land fund of the Russian Federation is almost 1,710 million hectares, with an average population density of about 86 people/thousand hectares. ha (8.6 people/km 2) and land development, according to FAO, is less than 20%.

In the general structure of land resources, the most important component of the natural environment and the central link of the biosphere, which has the ability to convert and accumulate solar energy, fertility, which serves as the main source of food, the environment for the existence of flora and fauna, the basis of socio-economic development and a strategic natural resource, are soil. The soil component serves as a natural basis on which practically all human agricultural activity is built, supplying the population with the bulk of food and a significant part of technical raw materials for industry. Cultivated lands provide 88% of food (in energy equivalent) for modern mankind, 10% are obtained from natural pastures and forest lands, and only 2% from the resources of the World ocean. In this regard, the preservation of the natural properties of soils, the maintenance and restoration of their fertility, the control of the quality state, the implementation of large-scale measures for the rational use and protection are the main tasks of the state in matters of the use of the land fund. Only orderly and purposeful regulation of these issues will make it possible to ensure the well-being and security of the population and sustainable economic development now and in the future.

Comparative comparison of the quality of land resources in terms of their suitability for various types of land use requires the development of a unified classification system. So far, there is no such system in a generally recognized and unified form, although work on its creation is underway in many states, including our country. In agricultural practice, statistical reference books and in the public literature, there are very complex and intersecting classification approaches and groupings. Lands are usually classified according to their intended purpose (by categories of land) and modern economic use (land). As a rule, the following categories of land are distinguished.

1. Lands of agricultural enterprises, organizations, as well as citizens, i.e. territories used primarily for agricultural purposes. AT last years lands have also been allocated as part of farms, etc. Agricultural lands, which include: arable land, vegetable gardens, orchards, vineyards, plantations, meadows, pastures, are being especially carefully studied.

2. Lands under the jurisdiction of city, settlement and rural administrations - territories located within the line (border) of settlements, as well as land transferred to the administration.

3. Lands of industry, transport and other purposes - territories granted to enterprises, various associations and organizations for the implementation of the special tasks assigned to them (industrial production, transport, communications, etc.).

4. Conservation lands - territories with specially protected natural objects and complexes that have environmental, scientific, aesthetic, recreational and health significance.

b. Lands of the forest fund - territories covered with forest vegetation and not covered, but intended for its restoration.

6. Lands of the water fund - territories occupied by reservoirs, glaciers, swamps (with the exception of the tundra and forest-tundra zones), hydrotechnical and other water management structures, as well as lands allocated for the right of way of reservoirs, main canals and collectors.

7. Reserve lands - lands that are not provided to legal entities and individuals for ownership, possession, use or lease, as well as lands, the right of ownership, possession and use of which has been terminated in accordance with the current legislation. The use of reserve lands is allowed only after they are transferred to another category or leased for up to a year.

) is 13.4 billion hectares. However, the structure of the land fund is not very favorable:

From the above data, it can be seen that only 34% of land resources provide 98% necessary for a person food. These lands are concentrated mainly in the forest, in and zones of our planet. And the rest - territories unsuitable for cultivation. This includes mountains, territories, chained, polar spaces of Canada, Russia and.

The structure of the land fund of the Earth does not remain unchanged. Two constant influences opposite process. First, for thousands of years, people have been expanding cultivated land suitable for life and agricultural use. During the 20th century alone, the plowed area of ​​the land doubled. Deserts are reduced, irrigated (the total area of ​​irrigated lands in the world exceeded 250 million hectares), drained, virgin lands are developed, largest area which differed , USA, . Small land, but densely populated countries launched an active offensive against the coastal areas of the seas, with the help of a system of canals and dams, about 40% of them were recaptured modern territory. Similar processes of "sliding" of settlements into the sea also take place in, and others. For these states, the possibility of expanding crop areas due to the advance of land on the sea is an important reserve for increasing the land fund.

Land resources of the world

Secondly, along with the increase in the area of ​​cultivated land and pastures, their deterioration and degradation take place. Experts have determined that 6-7 million hectares fall out of agricultural circulation every year. Swamping, salinization disables another 1.5 million hectares. But the real "devourer" of land in arid regions of the world has become desertification. It covered an area of ​​9 million km2 and threatens another 30 million km2. The sands of the Sahara, Atacama, Namib, and deserts are advancing on agricultural lands. At the same time, deserts are advancing on the steppes, steppes - on, savannahs - on forests. main reason desert growth - "overloading" fields with crops, deforestation, grazing. The desertification process is especially pronounced in, i.e. in, which are located on the border of the Sahara and the savannah. The successive, unusually severe droughts that hit these countries in the 1970s and 1980s were the result of improper exploitation practices in the African tropics. Overgrazing and the destruction of the already meager for the purpose of harvesting firewood also played a negative role. The Sahelian droughts have brought death to many Africans. The process of desertification is an important environmental problem that needs to be addressed globally.

The degradation of agricultural land is not only due to desertification. Urban and rural settlements people and industrial development. For example, the loss of cultivated land due to construction in Japan is 5.7%, in - 3.6%, in the USA - 2.8%, in - 2.5%, in - 1% of common territory countries.

As a result of all these processes, the total area of ​​agricultural land in the world is annually reduced by 50-70 thousand km2.

Main questions. What is land and agroclimatic resources Earth? What are the main factors of soil formation?

Land is a universal natural resource without which no sector of the economy can exist. Land resources exhaustible, they can be occupied by settlements, forests, water bodies, glaciers, for economic facilities, or used for arable land, pasture, for recreation. ( Assess land availability Belarus on fig.6.1.) Rice. 6.1 .With the growth of the population of the Earth, the availability of land suitable for use is constantly decreasing (Fig. 6.2). ( What problems arise in connection with this?).

Land resources of the World are estimated at 13.0 - 13.5 billion hectares, some of which are unproductive lands - deserts, high mountains, occupied by glaciers, water bodies. Agricultural land makes up only 37% of the world's resources. Arable land and perennial crops make up only 11%, and provide about 90% of food. Forest lands make up 1/3 of the area of ​​land resources and perform important functions in nature - climate-forming, water protection, forestry. Rice. 6.2 .Our “shrinking” Earth: change in area of ​​land resources per capita, ha.Europe stands out in terms of agricultural land reserves. Rice. 6.3. The share of agricultural land in the land fund. The top five countries in terms of arable land supply include the USA, India, Russia, China and Australia.

Concerns about the decrease in fertility (degradation) of soils. The total area of ​​degraded land is highest in Asia, Africa, and South America. Water erosion predominates in all regions. In Africa and Australia, grazing is at the forefront; in Asia and South America, deforestation; in North and Central America and Europe, unsustainable farming. (Rice. 6.4 . The main processes of soil degradation and their causes. Rice. 6.5 . Distribution of degraded soils in the world)

Soil formation factors. Soil differences in different natural conditions provide soil-forming factors: soil-forming rocks, organisms, climate, topography, ground water, time and person . They act simultaneously and provide soil development for a long time. Rice. 6.6 . Availability of arable land in different parts of the world, ha/person.Fig. 6.7 . Soil types in different natural zones.

Soil-forming breeds affect the mechanical composition of soils, some physical and chemical properties, provide water, thermal and air conditions of soils.

Various organisms that inhabit the soil, in various climatic conditions, contribute to the accumulation of organic matter in the soil and make them available to plants.

Climate affects the vital activity of microorganisms, the movement of organic matter, moisture and water regime soil and determines the intensity of soil-forming processes.

Character relief affects the distribution of climates and vegetation with altitude. A characteristic example changes in soil types with altitude in the mountains.

Water creates an environment in the soil in which numerous chemical and biological processes take place. Excess moisture reduces the oxygen content of the soil, inhibits the activity of some microorganisms.

For the formation of any soil requires a certain time. Natural conditions and soils change, soils evolve over time.

Human consciously and actively intervenes in the process of soil formation, influences soil fertility, conducts soil reclamation, changes vegetation, processes it and introduces various fertilizers into it.

The main types of soils, their properties. Different types of soils are formed in different natural conditions. In the Arctic zone, frosty weathering prevails, there is a slight accumulation of organic matter (soils Arctic deserts), in the subarctic - the accumulation of iron and aluminum, the process of gleying. For temperate latitudes, the process of podzolization is characteristic (podzolic, gray and brown forest soils). Under grassy vegetation high temperatures and sufficient moisture is the accumulation of humus and the formation of fertile chernozem, chestnut soils. With a lack of moisture and poor vegetation, semi-desert and desert soils (gray-brown) develop. In dry subtropical climates, zonal gray soils, brown, black subtropical and red subtropical soils. The main soils of the humid subtropics are red soils, yellow soils, brown, reddish. In the tropical zone, alternating dry and wet periods, high rainfall and high temperatures form lateritic soils. With a drier climate and a pronounced dry season, ferruginous and red tropical soils are formed. The most fertile chernozems. In Europe, brown forest and brown soils are widely used.

Agro-climatic resources a specific territory is a combination of climatic factors that create conditions for the formation of crop productivity.

The presence of fertile soils is still insufficient for the cultivation of various agricultural crops. For the growing season of crops, optimal climatic conditions are necessary: ​​air temperature, soil moisture, sufficient rainfall. Unfavorable climatic phenomena (droughts, frosts during the growing season) reduce the yield of agricultural crops, and sometimes completely destroy them.

1. Name the main types of soils. 2. Establish relationships between climate, soils, vegetation. 3. How does a person influence the development of the soil? 4. What types of soils are typical for your area? 5. What characteristics are taken into account when assessing agro-climatic resources?