The Von Thünen Model

Introduction

• Developed by Johann Heinrich Von Thünen, a 19th-century Prussian farmer and geographer.
• Explains the spatial arrangement of agriculture based on distance from a central market.
• Focuses on perishability of products and transportation costs.

Importance

• Addresses why certain agricultural practices occur in specific locations.
• Provides a visual representation of agriculture through concentric circles.

Basic Concept

• Key Decision Factors: Perishability and transportation costs.
• Model Structure:
  • Central market (Central Business District, CBD) at the center.
  • Five concentric rings representing different types of agriculture.

The Five Rings

1. First Ring - Intensive and Dairy Farming

   • Perishable goods (fruits, vegetables, milk) need quick transport.
   • Higher land costs near market offset by transportation savings.

2. Second Ring - Forests and Timber

   • Wood is bulky and heavy, closer proximity lowers transportation costs.
   • Important during Von Thünen's time when wood was a primary building material.

3. Third Ring - Grains and Cereals

   • Less bulky and perishable than dairy or timber.
   • Can be transported longer distances.

4. Fourth Ring - Ranching and Livestock

   • Requires large land areas for grazing.
   • Located furthest from CBD due to lower land costs.

Limitations of the Model

• Assumes:
  1. Single market or CBD access.
  2. Market in a self-sufficient state with no outside influence.
  3. Isotropic (completely flat) land.
  4. Single means of transportation (ox and cart).
• Does not account for:
  • Specialty farming and climate influence.
  • Modern transportation methods (trains, ships, airplanes).
• Despite limitations, it accurately predicts certain agricultural arrangements.

Application in Modern Context

• When applied to the U.S., Von Thünen's model aligns fairly well with actual agricultural distribution.
• Founders of the U.S. did not consciously use the model, but economic relationships influenced the spatial arrangement.

Relevance Today

• Accurate in predicting locations of farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture in the 21st century.
• Goods produced close to markets to avoid spoilage.

Conclusion

• Von Thünen’s model remains relevant for understanding agricultural patterns.
• Useful for predicting agricultural spatial arrangements despite historical and technological changes.

Additional Resources

• Consider using review guides and resources for comprehensive understanding and exam preparation.