HUN-REN CAR researchers’ paper reviews the concepts and utilisation of agricultural marginal lands

Although much research has been done on the concept of marginal land, it is currently limited by the lack of a clear, globally accepted definition. There are four major sources of criteria of marginal lands: economic (e.g., rent cost, land value), geographical (e.g., temperature, slope, precipitation), ecosystem-based (e.g., protected areas, recreation, ecosystem services), soil suitability (e.g., yield capability, physical and chemical soil properties). The categorisation of agricultural land into groups like productive, marginal or unproductive often depends on the cultivation or management type. Choosing the right management can transform marginal land into an optimal soil condition, while incorrect management can degrade prime land into marginal land. This paper provides a review and categorisation of historical and new developments of marginal land concepts, especially those related to agricultural aspects, including land management and reclamation. It could provide a strong basis for further research on the topic of marginal land.

Publication:

Csikós N; Tóth G, Concepts of agricultural marginal lands and their utilisation: A review, Agricultural Systems, Volume 204, 2023, 103560, ISSN 0308-521X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103560