Spatial and Temporal Changes of Arable Land Driven by Urbanization and Ecological Restoration in China

Since the industrial revolution, human activities have both expanded and intensified across the globe resulting in accelerated land use change. Land use change driven by China’s development has put pressure on the limited arable land resources, which has affected grain production. Competing land use interests are a potential threat to food security in China. Therefore, studying arable land use changes is critical for ensuring future food security and maintaining the sustainable development of arable land. Based on data from several major sources, we analyzed the spatio-temporal differences of arable land among different agricultural regions in China from 2000 to 2010 and identified the drivers of arable land expansion and loss. The results revealed that arable land decreased by 5.92 million ha or 3.31%. Arable land increased in the north and decreased in the south of China. Urbanization and ecological restoration programs were the main drivers of arable land loss, while the reclamation of other land cover types(e.g., forest, grassland, and wetland) was the primary source of the increased arable land. The majority of arable land expansion occurred in the Northwest, but the centroid for grain production moved to northeast, which indicated that new arable land was of poor quality and did not significantly contribute to the grain production capacity. When combined with the current ‘Red Line of Arable Land Policy’(RAL) and ‘Ecological Redline Policy’(EPR), this study can provide effective information for arable land policymaking and help guide the sustainable development of arable land.

Comparative Analysis on Eco-Efficiency of Arable Land Ecological Footprint in Hubei

This paper uses the ecological footprint model to make comparison of the eco-efficiency of arable land ecological footprint in different years in Hubei Province, and makes comparison of that in Hubei and some countries. The results indicate that, since 1965, the eco-efficiency of arable land ecological footprint in Hubei has been improved year by year. However, the efficiency of arable land ecological footprint, compared with some other areas in the world, is much lower. In 1965, average eco-efficiency of world arable land ecological footprint is 3 421 US dollar/hm^2 while that of Hubei Province is 134 US dollar/hm^2, about 1/26 of the world＇s average level. The eco-efficiency of arable land ecological footprint for 2003 in Hubei Province, however, has become about 1/9 of the world＇s average level for the same year. Finally the author puts forward the ways to raise the eco-efficiency of arable land ecological footprint.

On arable land changes in Shandong Province and their driving forces

The decrease of total cultivated area and the lower per capita available arable land resource are now serious problems in Shandong Province, a major agricultural province in China. These problems will become more serious along with the further development of economy. In this paper, based on the statistical information at provincial and county levels, the changes of arable land in Shandong Province and their driving forces during the last 50 years are analyzed. The general changing trends of arable land and per capita available arable land are reducing, and the trends of decrease will continue when the economy is developing. The result of GIS spatial analysis shows that the change of the arable land use in Shandong Province has a regional difference. Eight variables having influences on cultivated land change are analyzed by principal component analysis. The results show that the dynamic development of economy, pressure of social system and progress of scientific techniques in agriculture are the main causes for cultivated land reduction. The principal factors which can be considered as driving forces for arable land change include per capita net living space, total population and per ha grain yield. By using regressive equation, along with analysis on population growth and economic development, cultivated areas in Shandong Province in 2005 and 2010 are predicted respectively. The predicted cultivated areas in Shandong will be 6435.47 thousand hain 2005 and 6336.23 thousand ha in 2010 respectively.

Process and mechanism of arable land change in Hebei Province during the past 50 years

Hebei Province is one of the regions with most densely population, fastest economic growth and most intensive land use in China. The contradiction of land shortage sharpened by high-speed economic development with population growth has become a serious problem, which has restricted regional sustainable development.This paper revealed the basic process, regional differences of change and the gravity center of arable land area according to the long-series statistical data of arable land during the past 50 years. On the basis of the above mentioned, the major driving forces that influence the changes of the arable land are discussed. The research results indicate that there is a trend of obvious fluctuating decrease in arable land area during the last 50 years. The changes of arable land area undergo the process from increase to sharp decrease to gently decrease. The regional disparity of change in arable land area is very notable and the gravity center of arable land area moves to the northeast 49.22 km. Regarding the decrease in arable land, the direct driving forces include adjustments of agricultural structure and reclamation, and indirect driving forces include advance in technology, economic interest and population growth etc.

Marginalization of Arable Land and its Correlation with Rural Labor Migration——A Case of Tongcheng County,Hubei Province,China

Based on the introduction of the connotation of marginalization,the index of diagnosing the marginalization degree is put forward.According to the 685 copies of questionnaires on peasant households in Tongcheng County of Hubei Province and the statistical data of local government,marginalization of arable land and its correlation with rural labor migration in Tongcheng County are studied by using aggregative indicator method,clustering analysis method and correlation analysis method.Result shows that marginalization of arable land has happened two times in Tongcheng County since 1985.Dry land has severer marginalization degree than paddy field.There is significant correlation between marginalization degree of arable land and rural labor migration;and the correlation between marginalization degree and rural labor migration in paddy field is greater than that in dry land.Marginalization of arable land will advance the rural labor migration,while in response to the poor current circulation of lands;the rural labor migration will further deepen the marginalization degree.Marginalization of arable land is one of the important factors affecting the labor migration in rural areas.

Survey and Evaluation of Reserve Arable Land Resources in Xinjiang's Makit County

Using " limiting factor" evaluation method,we make survey and evaluation of reserve arable land resources in Makit County.The results show that 9876.1 ha of land resources can be reclaimed in the county;there is no mining land to be reclaimed;9447.58 ha of grassland can be reclaimed,and it is mainly distributed in Gazikule Township and Kizilawat Township.We make the following recommendations:broadening investment channels and increasing capital investment for arable land consolidation;combining unused land development and environmental protection;making suitability evaluation of reserve arable land resources and determining reasonable direction and path of development and reclamation.

Arable land increase in northern China: facts and findings

Based on investigations between 1986 and 1996 in the four provinces of northern China, major problems on land reclamation were discovered. The increase of arable land was mainly low quality fields from barren land and was susceptible to disertification and water-induced soil erosion. In the meantime, large area of grassland and forestland was lost or degraded, and original fertile arable land was occupied for residential and industrial use. As a result the environment deteriorated. This change was mainly caused by economic development, population growth, inferior natural conditions, and irrational management strategies. Finally some positive measures were suggested to stop this negative cycle.

Current situation and trend of arable land change in China

How to protect arable land in the process of economic development and urbanization is a critical issue in China. In this paper, an attempt is made to analyze the situation of arable land change in China and it's relationship with population growth, economic development and urbanization. In depth analysis is also made in different regions. Forecasting is conducted to show the trend of arable land change in China based on the results of correlation analysis. Some suggestions are put forward for the policy making of reasonable utilization and protection of arable land in the future.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Unsafe State of Arable Land Resources:A Case Study of Chengdu City

We establish the unsafe state indicator system reflecting the unsafe state of arable land within the scope of the city. Using analytic hierarchy process and entropy method,we determine the weight of indicator; using linear weighted method,we conduct comprehensive evaluation of unsafe operation of arable land resource system in Chengdu City during the period 1999-2010. Through the unsafe state analysis,we draw the following conclusion: the share of arable land area in total land area,effective irrigation area,the area of low-yielding field,application rate of chemical fertilizer per unit area of arable land,and application rate of pesticide per unit area of arable land,are the key factors for easing the unsafe state in the short term. Finally we put forth the following recommendations: strengthening profound understanding of the seriousness of unsafe state of arable land; strengthening the basic arable land protection; continuing to tap the quality enhancement potential of arable land; consistently implementing the guideline and policy of " Combination of Use and Maintenance" .

Dynamic Change of Arable Land Ecological Security: A Case Study of Panyu District, Guangzhou City

Ecological security of arable land is closely related to grain security and social stability. This paper took 12 typical indexes from the aspects of ecological pressure, state and response of arable land considering natural, social and economic conditions to construct the ecological index system of arable land in Panyu District, Guangzhou City, and adopted objective weighting method and comprehensive analysis method to analyze the dynamic change of ecological security and security level of arable land in the study area. The results showed that ecological security pressure value and response value of arable land in Panyu District from 2008 to 2013 increased and the overall ecological security level was low, manifesting the level of "sensitive–risky–sensitive". Specifi cally, ecological security of arable land in 2008 was sensitive, risky from 2009 to 2011, and the security level rose to the sensitive level again in 2012 and 2013. Ecological restoration and rebuilding of arable land should be enhanced, and ecological security early warning system should be established by protecting quantity and quality of arable land, so as to protect arable land resources effectively, and promote sustainable development of arable land.

Comparative Analysis of Influence Factors on Arable Land Use Intensity at Farm Household Level:A Case Study Comparing Suyu District of Suqian City and Taixing City,Jiangsu Province,China

Using data from the farm household survey conducted in 2009,arable land use intensity(ALUI)and its influence factors at farm household level were investigated by the Tobit model.Suyu District of Suqian City and Taixing City of Jiansu Province,China were chosen as the regions for comparison.The results show that:1)On the average, the ALUI,labor intensity,yield-increasing input,and labor-saving input are 15 238.14 yuan(RMB)/ha,192 d/ha, 7233.01 yuan/ha,and 2451.32 yuan/ha in the less economically developed Suyu District,and 13 020.65 yuan/ha,181 d/ha,5871.82 yuan/ha,and 2625.97 yuan/ha in more economically developed Taixing City.The figures indicate that Suyu District has higher ALUI and labor intensity input but lower labor-saving input.2)Comparing all the influence factors,the total arable land area in available and average plot size have bigger effects on arable land intensive use;to a small degree,family′s non-farm income affects labor intensity,yield-increasing input,and labor-saving input;the yield-increasing input decreases significantly when the householder has higher education attainment;the commercialization rates of agricultural products and the planting proportion of cash crops both have unstable influence on ALUI; the share of arable land rented in has few impacts on labor intensity,yield-increasing input,and labor-saving input. 3)There are no differences found in the internal impact mechanism of influence factors on the arable land intensive use behaviors of farm households.However,there are conspicuous disparities in the impact degrees and statistical significance based on varying economic levels.4)Using the results as bases,this study proposes that the government should implement land management and agricultural policies according to local condition.And these policies should decrease land fragmentation to promote scale management of land and arable land use intensification.

Application of Remote Sensing and GIS Technology to the Study of Desertification of Arable Lands in North Shaanxi, China

The policy of the Chinese government concerning the horizontal expansion of the cultivated land through the reclamation of desert soils result in a total increase of 665.985 km 2 during the period 1987\|1999 in North Shaanxi. This increase is less than the loss in arable land by urbanization. The accelerated rate of change in agricultural areas calls for more rapid surveys of urbanization and loss of arable land. Remote sensing has a number of advantages over ground\|based methods for such surveys. The multi\|scale concept of remote sensing data help us study the problem in four towns. Several maps were produced to analyze the situation of urban coverage in different times. The evaluation of the status, rate and risk of urbanization are based on an accepted average of urban increase as 2% of population growth per year.

Quantitative Study on the Relationship between Arable Land and Its Influencing Factors in Southern Loess Plateau

With the Southern Loess Plateau as the object of study,we select the nonbiological factors( physical factors),biological factors and human factors that affect the landscape of arable land to build indicator system. Using GIS,we perform the visualization expression and hierarchical storage of influencing factors to build 1 km × 1 km integrated vector and raster database of arable land landscape pattern and its influencing factors. Using spatial regression analysis,we determine the quantitative relationship between arable land landscape and its influencing factors. The results show that the arable land in the Southern Loess Plateau is mainly distributed in the regions with high temperature,great average annual precipitation,high altitude,high soil N content,small slope,GDP per unit area of land,low ≥10℃ accumulated temperature,and short distance away from the rivers and roads. The study provides a scientific basis for clarifying the relationship between arable land landscape and its influencing factors.

Total Factor Evaluation and Influencing Factor Analysis about Arable Land Productivity In Kaifeng City

This paper uses DEA and Malmquist index to analyze the changes in arable land productivity in Kaifeng City during 2003- 2012.The results show that during 2003- 2011,Kaifeng's arable land productivity was inefficient in DEA-terms,indicating that the production resources were not rationally used; in 2012,Kaifeng's arable land productivity was efficient in DEA-terms,indicating that the ratio of input to output in 2012 was optimal; with the lapse of time,the Malmquist total factor productivity showed a trend of " increase-decrease-increase-decrease-increase",and the average technical efficiency was greater than 1,indicating that the agricultural production technology continues to advance. Using Tobit model,we analyze the factors that affect arable land productivity,and results show that the number of large and medium tractors and policy dummy variable have a significantly positive impact,while grain sown area has a significantly negative impact. Therefore,in order to improve arable land productivity in Kaifeng City,it is necessary to adhere to long-term stable agricultural support policy,improve the technological level of new agricultural modernization,increase investment in agricultural science and technology,and expand the sown area of cash crops.

Evaluation of Arable Land Reserve Resources and Analysis of Restrictive Factors: A Case Study of Hangjin Banner in Inner Mongolia

Taking land available for cultivation and mining land available for reclamation in Hangjin Banner of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,using land use database of 2012 as evaluation base,it made evaluation of arability of 677 021. 40 hm2 reserve land resources by the restrictive factor evaluation method. Besides,it analyzed main restrictive factors of arable land reserve resources in Hangjin Banner. Results indicate that the total area arable land reserve resources is 52 200. 02 hm2,accounting for 7. 71% of total area evaluated. Irrigation condition and soil thickness are major factors restricting development of arable land reserve resources in the study area. It is expected to provide reference for development of arable land reserve resources and land consolidation project in Hangjin Banner.

The Dynamic Change in the Total Arable Land and its Driving Forces in Tongling City of Anhui Province

According to Anhui Statistical Yearbook( 2003-2012) and the second national land survey data,this article analyzes the current situation of land use and the dynamic change in the total arable land in Tongling City. On the basis of this,using grey relational analysis,this article analyzes the driving forces for arable land changes in Tongling City. Studies show that population growth,the improvement of level of urbanization and the rapid development of the economy are the main driving forces for arable land changes. Based on the findings,the strategies are put forth in order to ensure the dynamic balance of total arable land.

Catchment Management and Its Effects on Arable Lands of Zimbabwe: A Look beyond the Fast Track Land Reform Program

This study was carried out in selected districts of Mashonaland East and Central provinces of Zimbabwe in 2011 to determine the effects of soil erosion on arable lands and how this related to catchment management. Results show that the highest contribution is 53% and is obtained from arable land codes 5 and 7. These fields show signs of excessive sheet and gully erosion. The least contribution is 0.8% and this is on arable land codes 3, 4 and 8. These fields have properly done conservation works existing. 33% of the assessed arable lands have conservation works in place whilst 67% are not protected and as such the fields are eroded. Soil erosion results in the washing away of the precious top soil, responsible for plant growth and infiltration of rain or irrigation water. This reduces the usefulness of such affected arable lands as crops grown on it can’t thrive due to lack of soil fertility. The paper recommends that government policies focus more on promoting sustainable land use through integrated catchment area management. This will go a long way in achieving sustainable development in Zimbabwe.

An Analysis on Driving Forces of Arable Land Resource Change in Jieshou City

By the qualitative and quantitative analysis method,we analyze the driving forces of arable land resource change in Jieshou City and find that the arable land resource change in Jieshou City arises mainly from social and economic driving forces. Based on the social and economic indicator data about arable land resource in Jieshou City,we use principal component analysis to establish evaluation index system,and analyze the driving forces of dynamic arable land resource change in Jieshou City during 2006-2015. It is concluded that Jieshou's arable land change is mainly affected by economic and social factors.

Detecting the linkage between arable land use and poverty using machine learning methods at global perspective

Eradicating extreme poverty is one of the UN’s primary sustainable development goals(SDG).Arable land is related to eradicating poverty(SDG1)and hunger(SDG2).However,the linkage between arable land use and poverty reduction is ambiguous and has seldom been investigated globally.Six indicators of agricultural inputs,crop intensification and extensification were used to explore the relationship between arable land use and poverty.Non-parametric machine learning methods were used to analyze the linkage between agriculture and poverty at the global scale,including the classification and regression tree(CART)and random forest models.We found that the yield gap,fertilizer consumption and potential cropland ratio in protected areas correlated with poverty.Developing countries usually had a ratio of actual to potential yield less than 0.33 and fertilizer consumption less than 7.31 kg/ha.Overall,crop extensification,intensification and agricultural inputs were related to poverty at the global level.

Integrated Quantity, Quality and Ecology of County-Level Arable Land Improvement Potential Comprehensive Zoning: The Example of Tongxu County, China

The scientific evaluation of arable land remediation potential can be used to formulate remediation policies based on local conditions. This study took arable land resources in Tongxu County, China as the research object and administrative villages as the evaluation unit, constructed an evaluation index system by integrating three aspects—quantity, quality and ecology. Based on the evaluation of arable land remediation potential, the K-means++ spatial clustering algorithm combined with elbow method is used to divide the remediation partition and give the remediation strategy. The results showed that: 1) the evaluation index system of arable land improvement potential, which integrated “quantity-quality-ecology”, was more systematic in analyzing the potential of arable land improvement than the previous single target evaluation index, and explored its internal linkage. 2) There are some spatial differences in the quantitative, qualitative and ecological potentials in Tongxu County, with the quantitative potential being higher in Changzhi Township, the intersection of Lizhuang Township and the southern part of Yuhuangmiao Township, the qualitative potential being more evenly distributed, and the ecological potential being higher around Chengguan Township. 3) Through K-means++ clustering algorithm combined with elbow method, Tongxu County was divided into five subzones: quality improvement zone, intensive improvement zone, quantity improvement zone, comprehensive improvement zone and health improvement zone, among which the highest percentage of quality improvement zone and the lowest percentage of comprehensive improvement zone were 49.2% and 1.5% respectively, and differentiated remediation strategies were provided by research for each sub-district to promote high quality of arable land.