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Concept information

Preferred term

land  

Definition

  • ‘A delineable area of the Earth’s terrestrial surface, encompassing all attributes of the biosphere immediately above or below this surface, including those of the near-surface climate, the soil and terrain forms, the surface hydrology (including shallow lakes rivers and swamps), the near-surface sedimentary layers and associated groundwater reserve, the plant and animal populations, the human settlement pattern and physical results of past and present human activity (terracing, water storage or drainage structures, roads, buildings etc.’ (FAO, 1995: 6). This definition refers to a natural unit (not an administrative area). [Source: Encyclopedia of Environmental Change; land]

Broader concept

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URI

https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/land

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