Distribution of Resources

What one characteristic is shared between the three types of resources?

Uneven Distribution

LLDC’s have 75% of the world’s population but only 17% of the world’s GNP. Most of the world’s resources are controlled by a tiny fraction of its inhabitants.

In LLDC’s, 80% of land is owned by 3% of the landowners. Landless labourers make up the largest percent, many work long hours for other people and usually live a life of poverty.

In some cases, the causes for this uneven distribution of resources are natural. This is due to climate, geological history and physiography. Physiography is the natural features of the earth’s surface.

Land Resources Factors that affect the distribution of agricultural resources are climate, relief, geology and human settlement. Refer to figure 9.15 on pg. 222 in Global Connections. Which areas of the world have no agriculture taking place? What might be the reason?

Far North = extremely short growing seasons which results in little to no crops Desert area (Africa, Asia, Australia) = extreme heat and lack of rainfall make farming impossible

Relief Determined by the areas elevation and slope. Lapse rate = rate at which the temperature falls with increasing temperature. Why do areas with mountainous elevations have limited agricultural value?

Geology Allows us to become aware of the minerals that are present in different soils and provide nutrients for plant growth. ie. Pineapple plantations thrive in the rich volcanic soils in Hawaii Grasses seeding themselves and growing very quickly on Mount St. Helen after its major eruption in 1980.

Population Density Traditionally, areas considered to as ideal for farming have become highly populated. Once a city is established and begins to grow, the farmland is pushed farther and father away. Ie. North east coast of the USA, river valleys in India and China.

Types of Farmland There are three classes of agriculture which are based upon a farm’s profitability: 1.Commercial farming 2.Small holding 3.Subsistence farming

Commercial Farms Commercial farms and ranches are large enterprises Uses the most advanced equipment Operate with the objective of turning a healthy profit Which regions of the world fall into this class?

Subsistence Farms Farms for survival Farmer and immediate family provide most of the labour as machinery and technology are not readily available Farmland usually is very small and situated in the least desiereable areas: scrubland, hilly, steep sloped or jungle areas.

Small Holding Farm Falls in between the comercial and subsistance farmer Use a combination of machinery and livestock to cultivate Consume part of their crops and sell the rest for cash Where are the majority of these farms located?