Primary Sector: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Mining
Primary Sector: Natural Resource Activities
The primary sector encompasses activities focused on extracting natural resources, including agriculture, livestock, forestry, fishing, and mining.
Historical Context
Since the Paleolithic era, humans have utilized forest resources, marking the beginning of logging. Fishing and hunting also originated in this period. The Neolithic Revolution was triggered by the discovery of agriculture, which coincided with the development of animal husbandry.
Factors Influencing Agricultural Areas
Key factors include climate, terrain, soil, and vegetation cover.
- Soil Thickness: Thicker soil allows for better root expansion.
- Soil Texture: Affects water retention and oxygen flow to plant roots.
- Nutrient Content: Nutrient-rich soil is more suitable for agriculture.
- pH Levels: Determine the types of plants that can grow.
Structure of Agricultural Areas
Agricultural areas consist of cultivated spaces and living spaces.
Cultivated Space
This includes parcels of land, which can be categorized by:
- Size: Small, medium, or large.
- Shape: Regular or irregular.
- Boundaries: Enclosed fields (bocage) or open fields (openfield).
Living Space
This refers to the population distribution:
- Dispersed Settlement: Houses or hamlets scattered across the countryside.
- Concentrated Settlement: Population living in centralized locations.
Forestry Development
Forestry involves the economic use of forests. Traditionally, timber has been the most exploited product, but other resources include cork and resins. Sustainable forestry aims to obtain products while ensuring forest regeneration and conservation. Reforestation is carried out when natural tree growth is difficult.
Transformations in the Rural World
The rural world has undergone significant changes, including:
- Demographic Shifts: Aging rural populations and labor shortages.
- Agricultural Landscape Changes: Abandonment of unsuitable land, land consolidation, and new irrigation techniques.
- New Activities: Industrial and tourist activities in rural areas.
- Industrial Activities: Specialized industrial spaces near cities, including modern industries like electronics.
- Tourist Activities: Rural areas with scenic beauty or unique features.
- Constructive Transformations: Housing construction for urban populations moving to rural areas.
Fishing
Fishing involves catching fish and other aquatic species for food or industrial raw materials. Techniques and gear are classified as follows:
By Location
- Coastal or inshore fishing
- Offshore fishing
- Freshwater fishing
By Depth
- Surface fishing
- Bottom fishing
By Gear Mobility
- Mobile gear
- Fixed gear
Other Uses of the Sea
The sea provides various resources:
- Algae
- Minerals and energy sources
- Common salt
- Potable water
Tidal and wave forces can be used to generate electricity. The sea is also a major communication route and has seen intensive coastal development with industries, ports, and tourist facilities.