There are a number of factors that affect agriculture in the West. These include: • Climate • Relief and drainage • Soils • Lack of urban markets • Rural depopulation
Factor 1: Climate
• The climate of the West influences all other physical factors.
• High levels of precipitation and lower temperatures limit tillage farming.
• Heavy rainfall has led to the development of less fertile soils due to leaching, erosion and waterlogging.
• Cooler temperatures have led to a shorter growing season.
• Cattle must be housed for longer periods.
• Large amounts of silage and other feeds must be given to the animals for many months of the year. This adds to farm expenditure and reduces income for the farmer.
Factor 2: Relief and Drainage
• Due to the upland terrain, much of the land is unsuitable for agriculture.
• Access by machinery is more difficult.
• Rainfall is heaviest along upland areas, leading to waterlogging.
• Waterlogging has led to the formation of blanket bogs along the slopes of mountains.
• Glaciers moved across the landscape and scraped away much of the overlying soil, leaving them bare and infertile.
• The soil is thin and stony, making it difficult to cultivate. • Glacial deposits disrupted drainage.
• Boulder clay is impermeable, causing waterlogging and marshland to develop, which is unsuited to intensive agriculture.
• Many of the breeds of sheep kept are suited for mountainous landscape. • The upland relief shortens the growing season.
Factor 3: Soils
• Upland areas are covered in infertile peat soils, which are prone to waterlogging.
• Infertile soils limit most agriculture to sheep and cattle rearing. REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY 369
: Fig. 21.15 Upland relief makes access difficult.
: Fig. 21.14 High levels of rainfall restrict farming in the region.
The two most common questions on agriculture ask you to either discuss its development or to describe the factors that influence it.
