1997 Alabama NRI Highlights

Background

The National Resources Inventory (NRI) is a statistically based survey that has been designed and implemented using scientific principles to assess conditions and trends of soil, water, and related resources on non-Federal lands in the United States. The NRI is conducted by the United States Natural Resources Conservation service in cooperation with the Iowa State University Statistical Laboratory. The NRI is a compilation of natural resource information on non-Federal land in the United States - nearly 75 percent of the Nation's total land area.  The 1997 NRI captures data on land cover and use, soil erosion, prime farmland, wetlands, habitat diversity, related resource attributes at more than 6,000 scientifically selected sample sites throughout Alabama.

Land Use

Federal Land in Alabama totaled about 1 million acres in 1997 (3%).  Non-Federal land amounted to just under 32 million acres (97%) of Alabama's total surface area, most of it non-Federal rural land (86%) and non-Federal developed land (7%).  Water (4%) accounted for the rest of Alabama's non-Federal surface area. Most of Alabama's 29 million acres of non-Federal rural land resides in forest land (73%), followed by pastureland (12%), cropland (10%), Conservation Reserve Program Land (2%), range land (1%), and other rural lands (2%).

Land use is not static, however. It is suprisingly dynamic, with annual shifts in and out of different uses.  In agriculture there are constant shifts in the use of land among cropland, pasture, range, and forested land to meet production needs, implement rotations of land in and out of cultivation, and adjust to needs for maintenance and sustainability of soil resources.

Since 1982, cropland declined in Alabama from 4,510,800 acres to 2,919,400 acres, or a loss of 1,591,400 acres (35%) of cropland between 1982 and 1997.  Pastureland ( -221,000 acres) and range land ( -16,000 acres) both declined between 1982 and 1997.  The large increase in land use was developed lands ( +766,200 acres), CRP Land ( +521,900) , and forest land ( +302,300 acres).

Urbanization and Development

Agricultural land conversion used to be thought of as happening only around major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and the Eastern corridor from Washington, D.C., to New York. However, more small- and mid- sized cities are experiencing rapid development and the consequent concerns associated with community growth.

Developed land totaled only about 2,409,000 acres (8%) of Alabama's non-Federal land in 1997; however from 1992-97 more land was developed (445,300 acres) than during 1982-92 (320,900 acres).  Growth and prosperity in non-agricultural sectors of the economy have been dominant forces in the expansion of developed areas.

Although not considered a threat to food production nationally, urbanization and development leads to the fragmentation of agricultural land and the loss of prime farmland.  From 1992-97, the national rate of development nearly tripled to 3 million acres per year.

Irrigation

The number of irrigated acres in Alabama continued to decline from 77,300 acres in 1982 to 63,100 acres; however irrigated cropland only decreased 18%, while cropland as a whole decreased 35% in the same time period and irrigated non cultivated cropland increased from 600 acres in 1982 to 12,000 acres in 1997.  In 1997 around 2% of cultivated cropland was irrigated, and 4% of non cultivated cropland was irrigated.  As a whole a little over 2% of Alabama's cropland was irrigated.   Competition for water, the economics of production agriculture, and risk management to ensure crop production to compensate for shortages of rainfall have driven regional shifts in demand for irrigation.

In the future, continued severe and prolonged droughts may lead to concerns about surface and groundwater withdrawals in irrigation growth areas. This may lead to water supply issues in areas where they have not been major concerns in the past.

Erosion

Stewardship by agricultural producers and private landowners on the Nation's working lands hit an all-time high with successful implementation of the 1985 and 1990 Farm Bills.  As a result annual sheet and rill erosion on non-federal land cropland decreased from 7.2 tons/acre/year in 1982 to 6.0 tons/acre/year in 1997, while annual sheet and rill erosion on Conservation Reserve Program Land decreased from 3 tons/acre/year in 1987 to 1.2 ton/acre/year in 1997.

In 1982 67% of non-federal rural land had rated at T Value(acceptable erosion rating) or below, in 1997 that number had increased to 76% of non-federal rural land.  In 1982 39% of cultivated cropland had rated at T Value or below, in 1997 that number had increased to 43% of cultivated cropland.  In 1982 94% of non cultivated cropland had rated at T Value or below, in 1997 that number had increased to 98% of non cultivated cropland.  In 1987 69% of CRP Land had rated at T Value or below, in 1997 that number had increased to 90% of CRP Land.

Forest Land

Forests are a vital natural resource and play an integral part in our environment.  Over 21 million acres in Alabama are forest land, and they acount for 63% of Alabama's total surface area. Between 1982 and 1997 forest land increased by 302,300 acres. Alabama currently ranks 2nd in the nation in acres of forestland (excluding Alaska).

Wetlands

Wetlands are a vital natural resource that provide flood protection, and enhance water quality, wildlife habitat, and air quality. One of USDA's goals is to work with landowners to a achieve a no-net loss of wetlands. Statistics regarding status and trends of wetlands are controversial and difficult to understand. Nonetheless, from 1954-74, total average annual losses of wetlands on agricultural lands nearly 398,000 acres per year nationally. Between 1974-1983 , it was reduced to about 157,000 acres per year; and between 1982-1992 total gross losses on agricultural land declined to about 30,000 acres per year nationally. Preliminary analysis of the 1997 NRI data shows that from 1992-1997 average wetland gains on agricultural land amounted to 30,000 acres per year, a dramatic improvement on 4,000 per year gains experienced from 1982-1992. Losses from 1992-1997 averaged about 54,000 acres per year on agricultural land, yielding a net loss of 24,000 acres per year. However, there is evidence of progress in meeting the no-net-loss goal. Further analysis is needed to accurately determine all loses and gains, as well as identify the impacts of Federal, State, and local programs and private initiatives. Results are expected to be available in 2000 as well as specific statistics on Alabama's wetlands.

Alabama NRI Brochure

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Alabama NRI Brochure

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