Final answer:
Acquisition of land interests by continued use, known as a prescriptive easement, involves acquiring rights through adverse possession without owner's consent over time, often for purposes like right of way, utilities, or land conservation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The acquisition of interests in land, such as an easement, by continued use is referred to as a prescriptive easement. An easement is a non-possessory right to use and/or enter onto the real property of another without possessing it. It can be for a public or private purpose, and common examples include the right of way or utility easements.
Prescriptive easements are obtained through adverse possession, which is a way of acquiring rights to land by using it openly and without the owner's permission for a legally specified period. Unlike restrictive covenants that are written agreements between landowners to restrict land use, prescriptive easements do not involve an agreement but rather are granted after continuous and customary use over time, which leads to the expectation of continued use.
Such easements are important for upholding certain rights, like land tenure and resource access, as well as ensuring the maintenance of livelihoods. They also play a crucial role in land conservation and the responsible use of land, ensuring that, for example, open green spaces are preserved for public benefit.