The Efficiency of Agricultural Land Use in Mountainous Areas: Mathematical Modeling

Abstract

This study aims to quantify the spatial changes in farmland and model the efficiency of their use in mountainous territories, considering climate, topographical characteristics, and the development of exogenous geological processes. The main factors affecting land-use efficiency were assessed using qualitative and quantitative fact-finding, correlation analysis, and Geographic Information Systems tools. Accordingly, 14 major influencing factors were identified. A correlation and regression analysis was performed to resolve the modelling task. Using the correlation analysis methodology, the impact of each factor on the required indicator was quantified. The model developed shows that the land structure and production volume mainly influence land-use efficiency in agriculture. This finding fits well with pan-European studies. There is an annual trend towards more efficient use of farmland. In general, mountainous regions may provide high indicators of agricultural production under conditions of warm climate, sufficient moisture content, soil fertility and/or moderate fertilization, control of erosion processes, and predominance of low hypsometric heights. The developed model allows for optimizing the utilization of land resources, improving soil fertility and crop yields, and finding the right decisions for preventing the development of unfavourable processes.