A city's population grows; housing demand rises; which land-use pattern best conserves surrounding farmland resources?
- Higher-density infill development that limits sprawl, reducing conversion of agricultural land and preserving ecosystem services. (correct answer)
- Low-density sprawl with large lots, because it increases green space and therefore increases farmland area.
- Building exclusively on prime farmland, because farms are flat and easiest to develop without changing total land use.
- Expanding highways outward, because road construction prevents development and protects farmland from being converted.
Explanation: Higher-density urban development conserves farmland by minimizing sprawl, preserving agricultural resources amid rising housing demands from population growth. This pattern reduces habitat fragmentation and maintains ecosystem services like water filtration. In dynamics, it supports efficient land use, increasing per capita resource availability. Zoning for infill promotes sustainability over low-density expansion. This approach balances growth with resource protection.