State and Trends
al. 2014; Figure 2.2.2). In general, human pressures on land in the region are rising continuously. In terms of sub- regional trends, Southeast Asia followed by Euro-Asia are experiencing the largest increase in human pressures (Geldmann et al. 2014), in particular in the protected areas in Southeast Asia. These protected areas are reportedly being affected by multiple pressures including agricultural conversion, urban expansion, invasive species and water related threats (UNEP-WCMC 2014). Table 2.2.1 gives a concise view of the sub-regional diversity in the state and trends associated with land resources.
Need for food
Food production exerts one of the important pressures on land in the region. Asia produced 1.34 billion tonnes of cereal grains in 2013 (FAO 2015c) but food demand by 2030 is projected to rise as a result of population increase, rapid urbanization and increasing incomes (FAO 2009). At the current level of growth in food productivity, the region will probably face food shortages without expanding its agricultural areas or by further vertical intensification, which could exert pressure on land resources. Efforts to meet ever-growing food demand are already exerting pressures on agricultural soils, resulting in erosion, salinization, acidification, compaction and pollution.
Changing dietary patterns has implications for land resources. Asia’s growing middle class food preferences have led to diversification of diet from cereals to meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables (ADB 2013). The livestock population and meat production in Asia increased by 22 per cent and 50 per cent respectively between 2000 and 2013 (FAO 2015). By 2030, global annual consumption of beef and poultry is expected to increase by 25.4 and 60.3 million tonnes respectively compared to 2000, with almost half of the increase occurring in Asia (FAO 2011a) with implications for land for fodder.
Figure 2.2.2: Asia and the Pacific, increase in human pressure on land resources
Source: Geldmann et al. 2014
The Asia and the Pacific region has experienced substantial agricultural intensification while expansion of arable land has been minimal. This has been made possible by an increasing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. By region, Northeast Asia followed by South Asia together are the heaviest users of fertilizers at 445 and 150.38 kilograms per hectare respectively (FAO 2014). Pesticide use, in terms of active ingredients, has decreased in China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam but increased in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Thailand (FAO 2015). These land management trends may have helped the region in limiting the real expansion of agriculture to an extent; however, these trends, especially the over use of chemical fertilizers, may have contributed to a gradual decline in agricultural land quality through soil compaction, pollution, nutrient imbalance, salinity and acidity (Nkonya
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