Using sustainability indications in agricultural land use analysis: an example from Costa Rica

A methodology to analyse land use is applied to the Neguev settlement in the Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica. The methodology comprises a linear programming model, a geographical information system, and a customized data management tool. While options for land use are described at the field level, the methodology allows for analysis of land use at the field, the farm and the regional level. The various steps involved in making the sustainability concept operational are described. Selection and quantification of the sustainability indicators require some assumptions, affecting the period for which the analysis can assumed to be valid. The possibility of using nutrient balances and biocide indices as quantitative indicators of sustainability of agricultural land use systems is argued and demonstrated for the Neguev settlement. Some limitations and advantages of the methodology are discussed.