Module description
Land is the primary resource of a rural environment. An understanding of the role that land plays within this context is essential for students of the land based industries. This module aims to provide knowledge of current land use and examines the mechanisms available to change and influence land use patterns.

Outcomes
Outcome 1
Identify the factors that determine land use patterns.
Performance criteria:
a. Differing land use patterns are identified
b. Geographical distribution of land use identified
c. Factors that affect the pattern of land use identified
Ranges:
Land use : crops, livestock, leisure, tourism, forestry and woodland, urban, water
Distribution : regional, national, Europe
Factors : location, geography, market forces, statute
Value : physical, economic

Outcome 2
Recognise forms of land occupation and transfer
Performance criteria:
a. Pattern of land occupation established
b. Legal framework of land tenure identified
c. Procedures for transferring land occupancy explained
Ranges:
Occupation : private individuals, public bodies, companies, financial institutions
Tenure : owner occupier, tenant, share farming, common land, leases
Conveyance : public auction, private sale, duty and obligation of vendor, buyer, agent, solicitor

Outcome 3
Understand the effect of land designation and access rights
Performance criteria:
a. Land designations identified
b. The purpose of land designation established
c. The implication of land designation assessed
d. Land access rights and reponsibilities explained
Ranges:
Designation : local, national, European, world, private, public, rights of way
Purpose : conservation, production grants, capital grants, pollution control
Implication : finance, management
Access : landowners, public, footpaths, bridleways, byways, prescriptive rights of way, access agreements.