Trends show more agricultural land lost to development – Ohio Ag Net | Ohio’s Country Journal
Trends show more agricultural land lost to development – Ohio Ag Net Ohio's Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net
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The Loss of Agricultural Land in Ohio: A Sustainable Development Perspective
Introduction
The new 2022 Census of Agriculture data reveals a concerning trend in Ohio, where the number of farms has declined by 2.3% and the land in farms has decreased by 6.4% between 2002 and 2022. Of particular concern is the loss of 931,089 acres of land in farms over the past two decades.
Assessing Agricultural Land Loss
To determine the extent of agricultural land lost to development in Ohio, a report was published by Ani Katchova, Professor and Farm Income Enhancement Chair, along with Xiaoyi Fang and Rae Ju, PhD students in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at the Ohio State University.
The researchers utilized the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) provided by the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium (https://www.mrlc.gov/eva/), which employs satellite imagery to track changes in land categories over time.
Defining Agricultural Land
The NLCD defines agricultural land as cultivated crops and pasture/hay, which is narrower in scope compared to the more comprehensive definition of land in farms provided by the Census of Agriculture. The latter includes woodland, wasteland, and land in conservation programs.
Extent of Agricultural Land Loss
According to the NLCD, Ohio has experienced a loss of 355,085 acres of agricultural land between 2001 and 2021. The NLCD also categorizes developed land into high, medium, and low intensity developed land, as well as open space developed land. While counties within Metropolitan Statistical Areas have witnessed significant percentages of agricultural land loss to development (up to 93% in Franklin County), the overall percentage of agricultural land lost to development in Ohio stands at 51% between 2001 and 2021. Based on these statistics, it can be estimated that Ohio has lost approximately 180,691 acres of agricultural land over the past 20 years.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The loss of agricultural land in Ohio has implications for several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations. These goals include:
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The reduction in agricultural land availability may impact food production and contribute to food insecurity.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The conversion of agricultural land to developed areas affects the sustainability and livability of urban environments.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – The loss of agricultural land threatens biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by natural habitats.
It is crucial to address the issue of agricultural land loss in Ohio to ensure the progress towards achieving these SDGs.
Conclusion
The loss of agricultural land in Ohio is a significant concern, with 931,089 acres being lost over the past 20 years. The report by Ani Katchova and her team highlights that approximately 180,691 acres of agricultural land have been lost to development. This loss has implications for various SDGs, emphasizing the need for sustainable land management practices and policies to mitigate further degradation of agricultural land in Ohio.
For more information, please refer to the full report: aede.osu.edu/sites/aede/files/publication_files/AgLandLosttoDevelopment2024.pdf
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems | Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization | Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems | Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil | Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The issues highlighted in the article are the decline in the number of farms and agricultural land in Ohio, as well as the loss of agricultural land to development. These issues are connected to SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger through sustainable food production systems. They are also connected to SDG 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities, including land use and urbanization. Additionally, they are connected to SDG 15, which aims to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and combat desertification.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems
- Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization
- Target 15.1: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems
- Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are target 2.4, which focuses on sustainable food production systems, target 11.3, which aims to enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization, target 15.1, which aims to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems, and target 15.3, which focuses on combating desertification and restoring degraded land and soil.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
- Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate
- Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area
- Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards those targets: indicator 2.4.1, which measures the proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture; indicator 11.3.1, which measures the ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate; indicator 15.1.1, which measures the forest area as a proportion of total land area; and indicator 15.3.1, which measures the proportion of land that is degraded over the total land area.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems | Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization | Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems | Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil | Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: ocj.com
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