Is Topography Important?

Again, in a broad regional sense, topography is a very important determinant of what sort of crops may be grown and with what success. There are three important elements:
(a) slope or gradient.
(b) aspect.
(c) elevation.

Land on slopes, especially steep ones, is very difficult to work, particularly with modern farm equipment, and is liable to erosion if cultivated.

A southerly aspect allows land to warm up early in spring and to capture the maximum sunlight. Land with a northerly aspect may be in shadow throughout the winter, and be cold and damp as a result. Some slope is important to aid natural drainage, especially on heavy land.

Elevation is very important and temperature falls whilst rain-fall increases with height. Upland areas, as a result, tend to be much more difficult to work and to get good yields from.