How people use the land is a basic factor in understanding the ecological condition of the mid-Atlantic region.
Land use is complicated by divergent values.
Some people value land as a commodity, something with economic value that can be used productively, bought and sold. Others value land as part of a life sustaining ecosystem. The dynamics of public opinion and economics influence the distribution of land among competing uses. A given area of land may be used for a variety of purposes such as agriculture, timber, wildlife, recreation, or conservation. However, not all ecosystems have equal capability to satisfy a particular human value, and some are better suited for some uses than others.