The research work presented in this doctoral thesis is devoted to the study of land use. The question is examined from two angles: i) land use within the farm (the choice of crops, pastures), and ii) land use between economic sectors (forests, urban, agriculture, etc.). Two methods were employed: mathematical programming models for the agriculture and forestry sectors and econometric methods. The supply-side agricultural model, AROPAj, allows us to model farmers’ decision in terms of crops and nitrogen input quantities.

Global climate and land use changes could strongly affect soil erosion and the capability of soils to sustain agriculture and in turn impact regional or global food security. The objective of our study was to develop a method to assess soil sustainability to erosion under changes in land use and climate.