Final answer:
The Von Thünen model suggests extensive land use near the market is because products like dairy and vegetables are perishable and expensive to transport, making intensive agriculture practices most profitable there. Despite advances in technology, the model's emphasis on transportation costs remains relevant, especially for market gardens near urban centers.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Von Thünen model, extensive land use near the market is due to the high costs and challenges associated with the transportation of agricultural products. The model predicts a series of concentric rings around a central market, with the most perishable and expensive to transport products, like dairy and fresh fruits and vegetables, being produced closest to the market. This arrangement minimizes transportation costs and allows farmers to maximize their profits by growing the most transportation-cost-sensitive products nearest to where they will be sold.
According to Von Thünen, intensive agriculture practices such as market gardening were most profitable near the cities, as land there was more valuable and products could quickly spoil. As one moves further from the city, less perishable and less transport-cost-sensitive crops like grains become more common. Government policies, technological advancements like refrigeration, and rapid transportation have shaped the current agricultural patterns, but the influence of transportation costs outlined by Von Thünen remains significant.
Despite modern changes, Von Thünen's model still offers valuable insights into farming decisions and land use, especially when analyzing closer proximities to urban markets. For example, areas like New Jersey continue to engage in intensive gardening practices due to their proximity to large marketplaces, like New York City, despite the overall technological progress in transportation and refrigeration.