Diffusion (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Grace Bower
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
What is Diffusion?
Diffusion
Diffusion is the spread of something from place to place
This can include ideas, practices, technology and disease
Distance decay means that higher diffusion rates occur closest to the point of origin. Lower rates occur further away
Diffusion of innovation
Diffusion has different elements:
Innovation - the first stage, where individuals or groups create a new idea/concept/object
Time - diffusion typically increases over time, as more people adopt the innovation
Social/Communication
Diffusion needs groups of people and stakeholders
It requires communication (face-to-face, writing or media), to transfer information and ideas
In 1962, Everett Rogers coined the Diffusion of Innovation Theory
There are 5 stages, showing different stakeholder groups
Innovators - the first people to use an innovation (without testing)
Early Adopters - innovation is improving, so more people begin to use it
Early Majority - The product is well known, used by a large proportion of people
Late Majority - cautious stakeholders, waiting for cheaper prices or improvements
Laggards - very reluctant, but eventually adopt the innovation
This information produces a Bell Curve
Combined with the Bell Curve information, the S Curve can show the adoption of innovation over time
Diffusion of Agricultural Innovations
Diffusion of Agricultural Innovations
Agricultural innovation is the implementation of new ideas, processes, or products to increase productivity and efficiency and reduce risks within a system
It can involve new solutions to issues and improved methods of problem-solving
Some examples of agricultural innovations include:
Genetically Modified Crops
Dam construction
Precision agriculture
Vertical farming
Farm automation
Diffusion of agricultural innovations is the spread of these new processes, ideas and products between farming groups
There are 3 main types of agricultural innovation diffusion:
Adoption/acquisition
Becoming aware of/interested in an innovation
Creating or following a new agricultural innovation
Expansion
Innovation gets stronger at the origin, whilst also spreading to new places
Relocation
Innovation moves away from the origin, reducing or eventually vanishing
Maybe a result of migration
Caused by transport networks (network diffusion)
Diffusion of agricultural innovations is vital for the development of agriculture:
To improve food security
To increase and maintain resource sustainability
To increase economic development
Role of geographic factors in the rate of agricultural innovation diffusion
Geographic factor | Barrier | Effects on the rate of diffusion |
|---|---|---|
Physical | Land suitability | Agricultural land/farms may not be suitable for certain innovations e.g. soil type |
Remoteness | Lack of transport routes could hinder the diffusion of agricultural innovations | |
Economic | Labour | Adopting innovation can increase labour and costs and takes a long time Worries about lower yields put farmers off A lack of demonstrated examples can prohibit farmers from adopting innovative techniques |
Development | Agricultural innovations can be expensive. Poorer farmers may not be able to afford to adopt new technologies Lower education rates can influence innovation adoption | |
Demand | Demand for certain innovations can be lower e.g. organic food prices are higher, so demand is lower | |
Political | Credibility | Uncertainty towards technologies and the reliability of policies/policymakers can affect diffusion rates |
Tradition vs innovation | Tradition acts as a barrier - some prefer traditional methods and don’t want to develop further | |
Policy-making | In some cases, there aren't enough policies to support farmers in adopting innovations e.g. financial support Differing opinions from groups of people over what is the best innovation method |
Diffusion of Diseases
The concept of diffusion also applies to disease
Disease diffusion is the spread of disease around the world
Diseases will begin at a source point and spread outwards
With distance decay, higher incidences of disease will occur closer to the origin
Globalisation has made disease diffusion a lot easier (transportation systems)
There are 5 types of disease diffusion:
Expansion
The spreading of disease from place to place
Disease spread is intense in the origin
It becomes less severe in regions further away
A good example is the H1N1 flu, originating in Mexico
Relocation
Spreading of disease, leaving fewer cases at the origin
Good examples include disease carriers like HIV
A person may bring diseases into an area. In 2010, Nepalese aid workers entered Haiti after the earthquake, resulting in a large cholera outbreak
Network
Diseases spread through transport networks and social networks
Globalisation increases transport routes around the world
COVID-19 spread rapidly through transport routes (late lockdowns and border closures)
HIV spread through social networks (sexually transmitted)
Contagious
Spread through direct contact
Distance decay is prominent here. Those closest to the source of the disease will be more likely to contract it than those further away
Hierarchal
Disease transmission through an order of different places or people e.g.
Urban areas to rural areas
Higher to lower-income groups
Role of Geographic Factors in the Rate of Diffusion
Role of geographic factors in the rate of disease diffusion
Factor | Barrier | Effects on the rate of diffusion |
|---|---|---|
Physical | Distance decay | Infection is lower further away from the origin |
Remoteness | Rural areas have less migration, therefore diffusion rates are lower Mountainous regions are not accessible, so diffusion is lower | |
Climate | Extreme climates also reduce migration and therefore diffusion rates Warmer climates can make it easier for disease carriers e.g. mosquitos or tics Climate change and natural disasters can also impact disease spread e.g. increased flooding and pollution of water sources | |
Economic | Development | People may live in closer proximity in lower-income areas (densely packed housing), increasing the rate of disease diffusion Urban areas may have a higher diffusion rate than rural areas due to population size In areas with unsafe water, poor hygiene, poor sanitation, and lower education rates, disease diffusion will be higher Rate of globalisation. Some areas are not fully globalised, so diffusion rates will be lower e.g. North Korea, Eritrea, Turkmenistan |
Political | Borders | Border control can reduce disease diffusion. The best example is North Korea during COVID-19 |
Migration | US migration policies prohibit migrants who have infectious diseases. They must undergo medical screening | |
Disease management | How governments control outbreaks can impact diffusion e.g. lockdowns across the world limited the spread of COVID-19 Specific management strategies like face masks, social distancing, banning public events, quarantines, vaccine rollouts, and contraception, also affect diffusion rates International regulations and public health information act as a barrier to disease diffusion |
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