On the drive from my house to the grocery store, there is an abandoned apartment complex that has always caught my attention. It brought me curiosity as to what makes settlements abandoned and what impacts do abandoned settlements and plots of land have on our environment. I delved into the topic and did some research on the effects of human abandonment of land and settlements on our ecosystems and environment. In this post, I will analyze three sources that aim to uncover the same mysteries that I do. Then, using these analyses, I will make a conclusion on the positive and negative effects of land abandonment.

First, I read an article by Robert McLeman, a professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Ottawa, “Settlement Abandonment in the Context of Global Environmental Change” from the “Global Environmental Change” Journal. In this article, McLeman explores the reasons behind the abandonment of human structures and settlements. He focuses on the growing impact of abandonment on the environment. He claims that settlement abandonment has been driven by social, political, and economical disruptions while also minimally affected by environmental factors. Through a study, he finds that as a result of human alteration of their environment, settlement abandonment is likely to be caused by increased sea levels and extreme weather. McLeman also highlights the relationship between environmental and social factors which proves that environmental adaptation requires a deep understanding of such environmental factors. Robert McLeman advocates for awareness of the problems that cause and occur due to settlement abandonment such as natural disasters and social disadvantages that may follow human abandonment. He calls for “proactive adaptation” measures to minimize loss when such natural disasters occur and prompt settlement abandonment.

Next, I found the article from the “Land Use Policy” journal, “Effects of Land Abandonment on Nature Contributions to People and Good Quality of Life Components in the Mediterranean Region: A Review” by Cristina Quintas-Soriano, a member of the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences at the University of Kassel in Germany, who aims to reach similar conclusions as McLeman. Quintas-Soriano discusses the effects of land abandonment on the Mediterranean. Her findings show that the effects of land abandonment are predominantly negative. Quintas-Soriano and her colleagues conduct a study focusing primarily on the Mediterranean that finds that ecological effects such as biodiversity prompt land abandonment. She also shows that there are a number of social implications and effects that come as a consequence of land abandonment. Cristina Quintas-Soriano feels that the regions of the Southern Mediterranean region are underrepresented when it comes to research done regarding land abandonment and land-use change and their effects on the environment. The review highlights the importance of a balancing in land management policies which would consider both ecological and social factors to lessen the negative outcomes and contribute to sustainable development in the Mediterranean.

Finally, I found an interesting article called “Abandonment of Agricultural Land: An Overview of Drivers and Consequences” from the CABI Digital Library. In this source, J.M. Rey Benayas, a professional in the Department of Ecology at the University of Alcalá in Spain, explores the causes and effects of agricultural land abandonment, highlighting the social, economic, and ecological facets. He states that key drivers of land abandonment include urbanization, rural depopulation, agricultural intensification, and agricultural policy shifts which all make small scale farming unprofitable. When a farm is no longer profitable, owners devalue the land and care less of it thus prompting abandonment of the certain plot of land. Benayas states that the heavy weighted negative impacts of land abandonment include soil erosion, desertification, and wildfire risks which all decrease biological diversity. Benayas also states that land abandonment undermines rural communities which can lead to negative social effects such as loss of cultural identity and traditional agricultural practices. However, although there are many negatives proposed as a result of agricultural land abandonment, as stated by Benayas, abandoned land undergoes ecological succession which promotes forest regeneration and biological diversity. J.M. Rey Benayas advocates for policies that are tailored specifically toward regional groups by keeping in mind ecological and social risks when planning land-use patterns.

In conclusion, land abandonment comes with many benefits but in order to achieve those benefits, the detrimental effects must be nullified. Many sources say that this can happen with proper use and care of abandoned land. While challenges such as rural economic decline and cultural shifts persist, the benefits of increased biodiversity, climate mitigation, and sustainable land management present compelling arguments for reevaluating abandonment policies. By integrating ecological restoration with human adaptation, societies can transform abandoned landscapes into thriving ecosystems that support both nature and human well-being. Future policies should focus on a balanced approach that maximizes ecological gains while addressing socio-economic concerns, ensuring that land abandonment is leveraged as a tool for environmental resilience rather than an indicator of decline.