Spatial analysis, geospatial data and land-change models for modelling agricultural land changes

Keywords: Agricultural research, Zero hunger, Land-use changes, Agricultural efficiency, Climate change
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Ensuring global food security is a defining challenge of the 21st century. The food and nutritional security agenda require urgent international efforts based on effective strategies to tackle food security according to the challenges of each region. In particular, agricultural land systems are the principal biogeophysical source that ensures food security and nutritional benefits and a variety of environmental, cultural and social services, especially when agriculture is practiced sustainable. Considering that agricultural land systems provide the largest proportion of global food supplies, it is key to guarantee future food security and achieve sustainable development goal (SDG) targets. For instance, agriculture is vital do reduce poverty (SDG 1) or increase population well-being (SDG 3). A main problem is that agricultural land systems constantly change over time. For instance, encroachment of agricultural land, land abandonment and intensification influence global food production and food security objectives. As a result, agricultural land systems will face numerous challenges in the coming decades; their ability to support the security of the global food system will be determined by their efficiency, sustainability and equitability. This study introduces the progress in the development and integration of spatial analysis, geospatial data and integrated models in the agricultural systems field, and how modelling techniques and geospatial technologies can assist current and future research needs. In addition, it presents a case study exploring the potential of spatial analysis and available spatial data sources for modelling agricultural land changes in Portugal.