Satellite view of central Kansas

Settlement pattern: Low population density, planned grid iron pattern, linear settlements, hierarchical pattern of small farms, small towns and occasionally a large service town.

Increased mechanisation

Increased productivity per

person

Consolidation of farm unitsOut migration

Spiral of decline of towns and

villages

Failed soya bean crop 2006 due to drought.

In October 2006 USA Today reported:

• 7 years of drought on Great Plains.

• 2006 3rd warmest on record - extreme lack of rain.

• Affecting grazing on the range and HEP as well as crops.

land

Extensive commercial farming: The Prairies

• Land holdings enormous - very flat, so large fields.• Black earth soils rich in humus.• Mechanisation means holdings have been consolidated.

land

Extensive commercial farming: The Prairies

capital

• Amount of capital inputs high (tractors, ploughs, harvesters).• High use of artificial pesticides and herbicides (planes for spraying). • Improved seeds - in some areas GM crops now widespread.

land

Extensive commercial farming: The Prairies

capital

• Highly mechanised, so low labour input (tractors, ploughs, harvesters).• Population density in these areas low, unless alternative employment.• Population declining.

labour

• Relatively low yields per hectare, but output per person high. • Dependence on grain makes farm incomes vary with fluctuating world market, but US government pays farmers to protect production.

outputland

capital

labour

OUTPUTS• Relatively low yields per hectare, but output per person high. • Dependence on grain makes farm incomes vary with fluctuating world market, but US government pays farmers to protect production.

LABOUR• Relatively low yields per hectare, but output per person high. • Dependence on grain makes farm incomes vary with fluctuating world market, but US government pays farmers to protect production.

CAPITAL• Amount of capital inputs high (tractors, ploughs, harvesters).• High use of artificial pesticides and herbicides (planes for spraying). • Improved seeds - in some areas GM crops now widespread.

LAND• Land holdings enormous - very flat, so large fields.• Black earth soils rich in humus.• Mechanisation means holdings have been consolidated.

Named case study note making: ‘The Prairies of North Dakota and Montana’ (USA - Great Plains)

Core Higher Geography p232-241.

Use the following headings:

• Settlement & population density (p235 & 240)

• Farm size and crops (p234 & 236)

• Labour & capital inputs (p237)

• Landscape characteristics (p241 fig 8.17)

• Consequences of cultivation (p237 & p241 fig

8.17)

• How the landscape is changing (pp238-240)