Land Preservation for Food Production
Land preservation for food production is essential. Prime agricultural land helps to provide food and advance global food security.
And land also provides an essential habit for natural vegetation, biodiversity, pollinators, natural pest and disease control, bioresources, carbon sequestration.
Further, there is competition for various other land-uses including from agriculture, urban, retail, industrial, transportation corridors, recreational…
Understanding Land Preservation for Food Using Land Classes
First, prime agricultural land is important for achieving high yields and high production crop growing areas.
And farmland with rich soils are important for growing healthy foods. One may optionally include organic soils.
Second, prime agricultural land typically refers to the top 3 land classes. The seven land classes illustrated here are based on definitions.
And as illustrated, prime agricultural lands are predominantly found towards the southwest. While more varied land classes are found towards the east.
Third, lower land classes are also found throughout much of the Niagara Escarpment (see below).
In contrast to the southerly prime lands, the more northern areas are largely not suitable for agriculture (illustrated as ‘Not Classified’). This area is part of the Canadian Shield. It consists of many forests, rock outcrops, watersheds, and water reservoirs.
However, an exception in the north is the Great Clay Belt (see Clay Belt below).
For more information, please refer to Education.
The Greenbelt
Above all, the Greenbelt in Ontario is a large area of protected land.
And it has many natural features including escarpment outcrops, watersheds, forests, various natural areas, and a large moraine. In addition, it includes two areas for specialty crop production!
Specifically, the two specialty crop areas in the Greenbelt are the Holland Marsh north of Toronto, and a portion of the Niagara peninsula.
First, the Holland Marsh is an area of dark organic soils ideal for growing various vegetables. Second, a portion of the Niagara peninsula is ideal for fruit production.
In addition, the Greenbelt includes the Niagara Escarpment. The Niagara Escarpment is a natural geological formation running from New York state westward through Ontario, then crossing the Bruce Peninsula and ultimately extending into Wisconsin. It consists of many elevated rock outcrops, forested areas, and natural areas making it ideal for natural habitats and challenging rugged hiking trails.
Also, the Greenbelt encompasses the Oak Ridges Moraine. It runs from the Escarpment in the west to near Peterborough in the east. And this moraine is an ecologically important geological landform. For instance, it was formed from earlier glacier movements. Examples include its drumlin uplands and highly eroded channels.
For more information, please refer to the Greenbelt.
The Great Clay Belt
First, the Great Clay Belt is part of two northern eco regions, extending across parts of northern Ontario and Quebec. Because of the draining of much earlier glacial lake left deposits, the remaining sediments formed these flatlands. And the greyish areas represent soils with higher percentages of clay suitable for growing specific crops.
Second, the Great Clay Belt in the north is surrounded by the Canadian Shield. The Canadian Shield is characterized by hills, tundra, rocks, along with spruce trees and other coniferous trees. It also contains many lakes, rivers, and mining areas.
But the Great Clay Belt in the north has a short growing season with unpredictable rainfall. Along with pasture and livestock operations, wheat is one of the short-season crops grown there.
However, with climate change and increasing temperatures the growing season is lengthening. For instance, perhaps as much a week earlier in the spring and a week later in the fall compared to earlier decades.
Hence, there is a renewed interest in understanding the potential for producing more crops and livestock on these northern fertile soils.
Similarly, the clay areas in southern Ontario are also identified by greyish colours. And the southern clay areas were also formed in a similar manner.
Urban Agriculture, Urban Farming, Rooftop Farming
Many cities, regions and conservation authorities provide or lease land and conservation areas for allotment gardens and community gardens. These areas supply urban areas with food.
Urban & Agricultural Land-use Areas
Note that the counties, regions, and districts are illustrated by the map boundaries.
After that, crop production is reported by county, region, and district. For instance, all the high crop production areas are in the agricultural areas rather than areas that are urban or forests.
First, the green coloured area includes both agricultural, forest and urban areas. And there are also many cities, towns, villages, and hamlets scattered in the green-shaded agricultural areas.
Second, the beige colour represents areas with increasing urbanization and decreasing agriculture.
Third, the reddish shaded areas are often referred to as the inner Greater Golden Horseshoe. Major portions are highly urbanized with limited agriculture.
For instance, a notable portion of prime agricultural land has been converted to urban use rather than agriculture.
However, the historical development of urban areas on prime agricultural lands illustrates the importance of preserving all prime agricultural land for food production.
- Last Modified: May 17, 2024