Unit 2: The Primary Sector. Agrarian Spaces PDF

UNIT 2 THE PRIMARY SECTOR. AGRARIAN SPACES UNIT 2: Primary sector. Agrarian Spaces UNIT 2. INDEX 1.- AGRARIAN SPACE 2.- AGRARIAN ACTIVITY. PHYSICAL 1.1. Agrarian and rural spaces FACTORS...

UNIT 2 THE PRIMARY SECTOR. AGRARIAN SPACES UNIT 2: Primary sector. Agrarian Spaces UNIT 2. INDEX 1.- AGRARIAN SPACE 2.- AGRARIAN ACTIVITY. PHYSICAL 1.1. Agrarian and rural spaces FACTORS 1.2. Agrarian activities 2.1. Climate 1.3. Agrarian population 2.2. Relief 2.3. Soil and vegetation 3.- AGRARIAN ACTIVITY. 4.- AGRICULTURE LANDSCAPE HUMAN FACTORS AND ITS ELEMENTS 3.1. Demographic pressure 4.1. Agrarian landscape 3.2. Technological development 4.2. Inhabited space 3.3. Economic and social 4.3. Farmland organisation UNIT 2: Primary sector. Agrarian Spaces UNIT 2. INDEX 5.- AGRICULTURE. DIVERSITY 6.- LIVESTOCK FARMING. TYPES AND AND TYPES. MODELS 5.1. Different cultivation methods 6.1. Livestock farming systems 5.2. Types of agriculture 6.2. Traditional livestock farming 6.3. Industrial and organic livestock farming. 7.- SILVICULTURE 8.- FISHING. USE OF THE SEA 7.1. Forestry production and environmental roles 8.1. Fishing systems 7.2. Problems created by 8.2. The future of fisheries forestry activities  1.AGRARIAN SPACE 1.1. AGRARIAN AND RURAL SPACES The primary sector comprises of economic activities devoted to obtaining resources directly from nature. Examples include agriculture, livestock farming, silviculture (forestry) and fishing. Agrarian and rural space are not the same thing. The term agrarian space is only used to refer to land where agrarian activities are undertaken (cultivated land, pastures, meadows and woodland). The term rural space refers to all ‘non-urban’ areas. Therefore, it includes agrarian spaces and land where other activities are also carried out. ¿Which economic activities are part of the Primary sector? These economic activities are destined to obtain raw materials. They could be grouped into different groups: 1 AGRICULTURE 2 LIVESTOCK FARMING 3 FORESTRY 4 FISHING  1.AGRARIAN SPACE 1.2. AGRARIAN ACTIVITIES The majority of activities in the primary sector are agrarian and include agriculture, livestock farming and silviculture. -Agriculture is concerned with cultivating the land in order to obtain plants for food. It provides food for people (wheat and vegetables), feed for livestock (maize and alfalfa) and raw materials for industry (cork). -Livestock farming is concerned with rearing animals for human use. This activity provides food (meat, milk and eggs), fertiliser, raw materials for industry (leather and wool) and in some cases, a form of labour force. -Silviculture is concerned with the use of woodland. It provides food (nuts and wild mushrooms) and raw materials for various industries (the furniture and paper industries).  1.AGRARIAN SPACE 1.3. THE AGRARIAN POPULATION In 2019, agrarian activities provided work for 27 % of the world’s population. However, there are major contrasts between countries. In the most underdeveloped countries, more than 50 % of the population is usually employed in this sector, which provides more than 10 % of the nation’s wealth. In contrast, in the most developed countries, agrarian activities play a minor role, as they only employ less 10 % of the population and represent very little of the nation’s wealth. It generally accounts for less than 4 % of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Percentage of labour force in primary sector  2. PHYSICAL FACTORS IN AGRARIAN ACTIVITIES 2.1. CLIMATE All types of plants need a certain number of sunlight hours and can tolerate specific maximum and minimum temperatures, precipitation levels and winds. Therefore, agriculture is impossible in regions with temperatures below 0 °C or above 45 °C as well as in very arid regions or those with very cold or very hot winds. Furthermore, different crops adapt better to different climatic conditions. Some require more humidity while others can support the cold better. Others require very high temperatures.  2. PHYSICAL FACTORS IN AGRARIAN ACTIVITIES 2.2. RELIEF Farmers prefer to grow their crops on plains and in valleys. They avoid mountainous terrain. Furthermore, above a certain height, low temperatures prevent crops from growing. However, livestock farming and silviculture, along with certain crops, such as trees and shrubs, are better suited to mountainous terrain.  2. PHYSICAL FACTORS IN AGRARIAN ACTIVITIES 2.3. SOIL AND VEGETATION The soil has important effects on crops, as its physical and chemical characteristics provide nutrients needed by plants. The most important characteristics are depth, as deep soils with well-developed layers are usually more fertile than shallow soils; texture, or particle size and composition, as these influence the soil’s capacity to retain water; porosity, to be able to let air reach plants’ roots; and acidity and alkalinity, since very acidic or alkaline soils are toxic for plants. Vegetation also partly conditions certain agrarian activities such as silviculture and livestock farming  3. HUMAN FACTORS IN AGRARIAN ACTIVITIES 3.1. DEMOGRAPHIC PRESSURE Population increase has led to a rise in the surface area of land dedicated to crops and pastures, which in turn results in deforestation or the reduction of natural vegetation. Today, high population densities lead to agrarian space being used to its maximum potential, which sometimes leads to overexploitation or excessive use. In contrast, low population densities can lead to the growing of some crops being abandoned.  3. HUMAN FACTORS IN AGRARIAN ACTIVITIES 3.2. TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT The technological development available is highly influential: Farming tools vary greatly. In traditional societies, basic tools such as spades, hoes, sickles and ploughs are used. In contrast, in advanced societies, modern tools such as tractors, combine harvesters and milking machines are used. Farming techniques also vary. In traditional societies, either the soil is farmed until it is exhausted, a section of land is left fallow, or natural fertilisers are used so the soil recovers its nutrients. In advanced societies, chemical fertilisers are used, crops are irrigated with advanced systems, pesticides are used to protect crops against insects and infestations, crops are protected in greenhouses, and vegetable and livestock species are carefully selected, etc.  AGRICULTURAL TOOLS TRADITIONAL SOCIETIES ADVANCED SOCIETIES Basic tools → Modern tools Tractor require a large → require a small workforce workforce sickle Azada harvester Shovel Plough electric milking machine  CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES TRADITIONAL SOCIETIES ADVANCED SOCIETIES Chemical fertilizers and Excessive pesticides land use) Advanced irrigation techniques Crop rotation (leaving a part fallow) Greenhouses Use of natural fertilizers Genetic (the soil recovers its selection and nutrients) manipulation of species  3. HUMAN FACTORS IN AGRARIAN ACTIVITIES 3.3. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ORGANISATION Different types of agrarian economies: -Subsistence economies only produce enough to cover their food needs. They therefore cultivate various products and combine crop growing with livestock breeding. -Market economies produce food in order to sell it, and tend to specialise in one crop or type of livestock. Social organisation -Property can be private or collective -Land exploitation or use can be direct if landowners or their employees work the land themselves, or indirect if the owner allows a tenant or partner to work the land. Agrarian policies implemented by governments also influence agrarian activities. The most common are agrarian reforms to improve modernization and competitiveness.  4. THE AGRARIAN LANDSCAPE AND ITS ELEMENTS 4.1. THE AGRARIAN LANDSCAPE Agrarian activities transform the natural environment over time and give rise to agrarian landscapes. These landscapes vary greatly from one another. However, they are all composed of two elements: inhabited space and farmland to obtain agrarian products.  4. THE AGRARIAN LANDSCAPE AND ITS ELEMENTS 4.2. INHABITED SPACE Space inhabited by the people who work or live in the countryside is different from both agrarian habitats and other types of landscapes populated by human settlement. Settlement is the way in which the agrarian population is distributed across the land. It can take three forms:.Dispersed: farmers’ dwellings are separated and surrounded by the land they farm..Concentrated: houses are grouped into a village or hamlet..Interspersed: some dwellings are grouped together, while others are isolated. Habitat includes dwellings and agricultural buildings, such as barns, stables and wine cellars, etc. CONCENTRATED SETTLEMENT  DISPERSED SETTLEMENT INTERSPERSED SETTLEMENT  4. THE AGRARIAN LANDSCAPE AND ITS ELEMENTS 4.3. FARMLAND The land dedicated to agrarian activities is organised into fields, which are the basic division of agrarian land. They are separated from one another by borders and distinguished from one another on the basis of size, shape, location and use. In terms of their size, fields can be small (less than 10 hectares), medium-sized (between 10 and 100 hectares) or large (more than 100 hectares). Their shape can be regular or irregular. With regard to their location, they can be openfields (if they are separated from one another by a furrow or boundary markers) or enclosures (if they are surrounded by fences, trees or walls). Their use can be for agriculture, livestock farming or silviculture. ELEMENTS OF THE AGRARIAN LANDSCAPE TYPES OF PLOTS LARGE PROPERTY: large agricultural holdings SMALLHOLDING: Cultivation of reduced extension ELEMENTS OF THE AGRARIAN LANDSCAPE TYPES OF PLOTS OPENFIELD ENCLOSURE  5. AGRICULTURE. DIVERSITY AND TYPES 5.1. DIFFERENT CULTIVATION METHODS Cultivation methods are the procedures used by farmers to grow agrarian products. They are usually classified according to a number of criteria: Crop varieties. The term monoculture is used when fields are used to grow just one crop, while the term polyculture is used when they are used for various crops. Water supply for plants. Dryland crops only receive rainwater, while irrigated crops are provided with additional water from rivers, wells and springs. Soil use. Soil may be used for continual cultivation of the land, which does not involve leaving the land fallow for a certain period of time, or crop rotation, which consists of alternating the crops grown in fields. Degree of land use. Agriculture can be intensive, if the land is used to its full potential, or in the opposite case, extensive. ELEMENTS OF THE AGRARIAN LANDSCAPE CROP VARIETIES MONOCULTURE: A single product to obtain POLYCULTURE: Several products. Small plots maximum productivity. Market-oriented production. dedicated to self-consumption. ELEMENTS OF THE AGRARIAN LANDSCAPE CULTIVATION SYSTEMS (land use) INTENSIVE FARMING: seek to get the most out EXTENSIVE AGRICULTURE: large plots not fully exploited. Parts are left unplanted (fallow). of the land with modern techniques. Productivity is not very high.  5. AGRICULTURE. DIVERSITY AND TYPES 5.2. TYPES OF AGRICULTURE Two types of agriculture can be identified on the basis of the cultivation systems used and the intended use of the agrarian products: Traditional agriculture. This type is used when most of the product is intended to supply the farmer and their family. It is also known as subsistence farming. Modern or Commercial agriculture. This type refers to the growing of crops for sale in national or international markets. There are two different types of modern agriculture: –Industrial agriculture. its aim is the mass-production of agricultural products. To achieve this, chemical products, inorganic fertilisers, biotechnological advances and machinery. – Organic farming. It aims to grow healthy products without harming the environment. Therefore, organic fertilisers and the rotation of local crops are used. LIVESTOCK FARMING 6. LIVESTOCK FARMING. TYPES AND MODELS Today, livestock farming or the rearing of animals is also a highly diversified activity, as it includes a wide range of livestock species (cows, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry), different livestock farming systems (extensive and intensive) and many different livestock farming methods (traditional, industrial and ecological). 6.1. LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEMS The systems or procedures used to rear livestock may be categorised as: Extensive livestock farming, in which livestock is reared in large, open-air fields. This requires little investment in terms of labour force or capital. At times, it can complement agriculture (labour force and fertilizer). Otherwise, it is above all the dominant activity in areas with natural features that do not favour agriculture. With intensive livestock farming, livestock is housed in barns and fed completely or partially with artificial feeds. This demands high levels of investment in buildings, breed selection, feeding technology and veterinary care.  LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEMS PROCEDURES USED BY FARMERS FOR LIVESTOCK BREEDING: INTENSIVE LIVESTOCK EXTENSIVE LIVESTOCK V.S.  Animals in barns and fed with artificial food.  Animals in large outdoor fields.  It needs large amounts of capital and manpower:  Needs little capital and manpower. buildings, breed selection, food technology, veterinary care...  Complements agriculture: provides labor and fertilizers.  Increased productivity.  Lower productivity. 6. LIVESTOCK FARMING. TYPES AND MODELS 6.2. TRADITIONAL LIVESTOCK FARMING Traditional livestock farming is extensive. It generally falls into two models: nomadic and seasonal migration. With nomadic livestock farming, livestock is continually moved in order to provide animals with fresh pastures. It is characteristic of peoples living on the edges of deserts such as the Tuareg of the Sahara and the Bedouins of the Arabian Peninsula. With seasonal migration, livestock is moved on a seasonal basis, between summer and winter pastures. It is typical of mountainous regions in America, Asia and North Africa.  TRADITIONAL: Nomadic livestock Extensive Livestock moved continuously in search of fresh pastures. Characteristic of the villages in areas close to deserts. TRADITIONAL: Trashumance or Seasonal Extensive Livestock moved seasonally, in summer and winter, in search of fresh pastures. Characteristic of mountainous areas. 6. LIVESTOCK FARMING. TYPES AND MODELS 6.3. INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIC LIVESTOCK FARMING Industrial livestock farming seeks to obtain the maximum yield to be sold on the market. In some cases, it is extensive and large quantities of livestock are reared in the open air. Otherwise, it is intensive, and genetically selected livestock is reared in barns and fed on artificial feeds. The animals are monitored by vets and mechanised systems are used. Organic livestock farming respects the environment and animal welfare. The livestock is not fed on artificial feeds, nor are the animals kept permanently in barns. Although production output is lower, it is of a higher quality.  MODERN: Industrial livestock Look for the maximum yield to be sold in the market. It can be extensive (large numbers of animals raised outdoors) or intensive (genetically selected cattle in stables, artificial feed, technology...) MODERN Organic livestock Respects the environment and animal welfare: Semi-extensive systems Feed: no artificial foods, no growth stimulants Animal welfare. Avoid excessive use of pastures. Lower productivity, but higher quality.  FORESTRY or SILVICULTURE  7. SILVICULTURE 7.1. FORESTRY PRODUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ROLES The main use of forests is to obtain the wood from trees, which is used for building and furniture making. The forests can provide other products such as: -Food (fruit, hunting, mushrooms) -Energy sources (firewood). -Industrial products, such as rubber, cork, resin, cellulose, paper, pharmaceutical products and perfumes. Forests also fulfil important environmental roles, as they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and thereby help to reduce the greenhouse effect. They also add humidity to the atmosphere, protect the soil from erosion and contain rich plant and animal biodiversity. They also play an economic role, as their landscapes can be used for leisure and recreation activities.  7. SILVICULTURE 7.2. PROBLEMS CREATED BY FORESTRY ACTIVITIES The uncontrolled exploitation of the world’s massive areas of woodland has led to serious levels of deforestation. Therefore, the UN has established international agreements to protect forests. Of particular importance amongst the measures adopted are the following: controls on tree felling to ensure sustainability, replanting, recycling wood products, and promoting the value of resources, in order to encourage local populations to care for them. FISHING  8. FISHING. USE OF THE SEA 8.1 FISHING SYSTEMS The fishing systems or procedures used today are highly varied and there are a number of different classifications: According to the place where fishing is practised and the period of time required: shallow-water fishing takes place near the coast on a daily basis; deep-sea fishing is undertaken far from the coast over several days or weeks and ocean fishing is undertaken at high sea for several months. According to the technology used on fishing boats, fishing may be traditional or industrial. – Traditional fishing uses small boats, traditional technology and a limited labour force. Production is limited and intended for the local market. – Industrial fishing uses large factory boats, modern technology (radars and sonars, etc.,) and a large labour force. Production levels are high and intended for sale on national or international markets. FISHING SYSTEMS ACCORDING TO THE PLACE AND TIME REQUIRED: OCEAN FISHING DEEP SEA SHALLOW-WATER FISHING FISHING FISHING SYSTEMS ACCORDING TO THE TECHNOLOGY: TRADITIONAL FISHING INDUSTRIAL FISHING SOME INDUSTRIAL FISHING TECHNIQUES… SOME INDUSTRIAL FISHING TECHNIQUES... SONARS AND RADARS TO LOCATE FISH SOME INDUSTRIAL FISHING TECHNIQUES… (TRAWLING) SOME INDUSTRIAL FISHING TECHNIQUES... (PURSE SEINE FISHING) FUTURE OF FISHING OVERFISHING PROBLEMS MARINE POLLUTION DIFFICULTY ACCESSING FISHING GROUNDS IN OTHER COUNTRIES SOLUTIONS: Promotion of aquaculture → breeding of fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Fishing quotas Prohibition of harmful fishing practices Anti-pollution measures International fisheries agreements AQUACULTURE