1,000 years ago less than 4% of and howitable land was used for agriculture today approximately 50% is used for agriculture which statement best explains why this large change occurred

Answer 1

The large increase in the percentage of arable land used for agriculture over the past 1,000 years can be attributed to several key factors:

1. Technological Advances: Innovations in farming technology, such as the plow, irrigation systems, and later, mechanization, have made it possible to cultivate land more efficiently and effectively.

2. Population Growth: As the global population has increased, the demand for food has risen, leading to the conversion of more land into agricultural use to meet this demand.

3. Land Management Practices: Improved agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, selective breeding, and the use of fertilizers, have allowed for more sustainable and higher yield farming.

4. Expansion and Colonization: Historically, the expansion of empires and colonization led to the conversion of forests and other natural landscapes into farmland in various parts of the world.

5. Economic Changes: The development of market economies and the global trade of agricultural products have incentivized the expansion of farming into previously uncultivated land.

In summary, the statement that best explains this large change is that technological advancements, population growth, and economic factors together drove the expansion of agricultural land use from less than 4% to approximately 50% over the last millennium.