An agent-based model of agricultural land expansion in the mountain forest of Timor Island,Indonesia

The Mutis-Timau Forest Complex,located on Timor Island,Indonesia,is a mountainous tropical forest area that gradually decreases due to deforestation and forest degradation.Previous modelling studies based on patterns indicate that deforestation primarily occurs at lower elevations and near the boundaries of forests and settlements,often associated with shifting cultivation by local farmers.This study adopts a process-based modelling approach,specifically the agent-based model,to simulate land changes,particularly farmers'expansion of agricultural land around the Mutis mountain forest.The underlying concept of this agent-based approach is the interaction between the human and environmental systems.Farmers,representing the human system,interact with the land,which represents the environmental system,through land use decision-making mechanisms.The research was conducted in the Community Forest of the Timor Tengah Utara District,one of the sites within the Mutis-Timau Forest Complex with the highest deforestation rate.Land use change simulations were performed using agent-based modelling from 1999 to 2030,considering the socio-economic conditions of farmers,spatial preferences,land use decisions,and natural transitions.The results revealed that the agricultural area increased by 14%under the Business as Usual scenario and 5%under the Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation scenario,compared to the initial agricultural area of 245 hectares.The probability of farmers deciding to extend agricultural activities was positively associated with the number of livestock maintained by farmers and the size of the village area.Conversely,the likelihood of farmers opting for agricultural extensification decreased with an increase in the area of private land and the farmer's age.These findings are crucial for the managers of the Mutis-Timau Forest Complex and other relevant stakeholders,as they aid in arranging actions to combat deforestation,designing proper forest-related policies,and providing support for initiatives such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation programs or further incentive schemes.

The causes and environmental effects of land use conversion during agricultural restructuring in Northeast China

During the last decade of the 20th century, extensive conversion inagricultural land use took place in Northeast China. The goal of this study is to ascertain itsspatial distribution and regional differentiation, determine its causes, and analyze itsenvironmental impact. Especially we attempt to elucidate how institutional constraints havefacilitated the change at a time of agrarian restructuring when newly emerging free market washybridized with the former planned economy. Information on six categories of land use was mappedfrom interpretation of Landsat TM images recorded in 1990, 1995 and 2000. Most of land use changestook place during the first half of the decade, coinciding with abrupt and chaotic changes ingovernment directives. Farmland was changed mainly to woodland, water body and built-up areas whilewoodland and grassland were converted chiefly to farmland. Spatially, the change from farmland towoodland was restricted to the west of the study area. The change from grassland to farmland tookplace in the grazing and farming interlocked west. These chaotic and occasionally conflictingchanges were largely caused by lack of stability and consistency in agricultural land use policiespromulgated. They have exerted adverse impacts on the local environment, including land degradation,increased flooding, and modified climate regime.

Impact of Labor Transfer on Agricultural Land Use Conversion at Rural Household Level Based on Logit Model

Since land and labor force are primary resources to be used and controlled by rural households, the allocation of labor forces will influence land uses, and further lead to land use conversion. The present study used the Binary Logit model to investigate the influence of labor force transfer, characteristics of rural households, location, and land market on agricultural land use conversion at rural household level. This study was conducted based on 329 valid questionnaires, which were obtained in Changshu, Rudong, and Tongshan counties, respectively representing the southern, middle and northern areas of Jiangsu Province. The results showed that land market participation, location, zonal difference and labor transfer had strong influences on agricultural land use conversion. The participation of land market had a strong positive effect on land use conversion, especially for the farmland converted to the fishpond. The nearer to the county seat, the more conversion of land use occurred. Particularly, the labor force transfer caused by wage employment decreased this conversion probability, while the labor transfer caused by self-employment led to more conversion; and the increasing of income from labor transfer increased the conversion. Moreover, land use con- versions demonstrated zonal difference, which were more in Rudong and Changshu counties than in Tongshan County, and the factors influencing this conversion were different in the three regions.

Conversion Margins for the Major Uses of Agricultural Land and Their Variations in Shandong Province, China

It is of practical significance for the decision-making on country food security and farmland protection to analyze the conversion margins for the major uses of agricultural land and their variations. Based on the panel data of wheat, corn, vegetable, fruit, and forests productions from 520 investigated farmer households of 13 investigated villages in Shandong Province from 2003 to 2009, and using Cobb-Douglas production function, the revenue conversion margins can be obtained separately, between different grain-crops （wheat, corn） and different non-grain crops （vegetable, fruit, forests）, and the conversion relationship between growing grain（ wheat, corn） and going out for non-farm work. The results show that from 2003 to 2009, growing wheat and corn are more economically and reasonably for farmers, compared with growing vegetable, but growing wheat and corn are becoming less economically and less reasonably day by day, compared with planting forests. Moreover, the conversion margin between wheat and fruit shows obvious scissors difference. Just from 2007, farm- ers＇ growing fruit became economically and reasonably, but until 2009, compared with going out to work after abandoning farm- land, growing wheat had no economic rationality. From 2003 to 2009, farmers＇ growing corn is more profitable than growing fruit and going out for non-farm work after abandoning farmland. The subsidies for wheat and corn have increased farmers＇ comparative income from food production remarkably, but the subsidies cannot change the general tendency that farmers transform food （wheat, corn） production into non-food （especially forests） production. The revenue difference between growing wheat, corn and vegetable and growing fruit and forests is being pulled ceaselessly bigger, and the tendency that farmers transform wheat, corn and vegetable growing lands into fruit and forests growing lands has become increasingly apparent.

Analysis on the Influencing Factors and Control Measures of "Non-Grain Conversion" of Cultivated Land in Agricultural Land Transfer

Through the method of literature analysis,this paper analyzes the present situation of the"non-grain conversion"of cultivated land in the transfer of agricultural land in China,summarizes the influencing factors and consequences of the phenomenon of"non-grain conversion"of cultivated land in the transfer of agricultural land,and finally puts forward some measures.The study found that costs and benefits are the fundamental factors affecting the"non-grain conversion"of cultivated land in agricultural land transfer,and other main factors include government and policy guidance,industrial and commercial capital to the countryside,labor transfer and so on.The"non-grain conversion"of cultivated land in the transfer of agricultural land is a serious threat to China s food security,leading to the decline of the quality of agricultural land and the destruction of the ecological environment,as well as the risk of breach of contract in"industrial and commercial capital to the countryside".Based on the understanding of the influencing factors of non-grain conversion,this paper puts forward the following measures:strengthening the control of the use of cultivated land in agricultural land transfer;implementing accurate subsidies for grain cultivation and ensuring the benefit of grain growers;adopting grain planting incentive mechanism to increase grain enthusiasm;strengthening media publicity and education to enhance food security awareness.The improvement of the current situation of the"non-grain conversion"of cultivated land in the transfer of agricultural land will be of great significance to the protection of agricultural land and food security in China.

Importance and Countermeasures of Curbing the Conversion of Agricultural Land to Non-agricultural Land under the Background of the Rural Revitalization Strategy

Farmland is the most basic element for farmers’survival and development,and has a social security function.The conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural land has gradually become the primary factor in the reduction of agricultural land in various regions of China,seriously endangering China’s food security.Under the background of the rural revitalization strategy,the emergence of the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural land and the inevitability of its development were analyzed from both the acceleration of urbanization and the increase in land demand by using the literature research method.The importance of curbing the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural land to achieve the grand goal of strong agriculture,beautiful rural areas,and rich farmers was clarified,and then countermeasures and suggestions to curb the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural land were put forward,which is of great significance to promoting the effective implementation of China’s rural revitalization strategy.

Comparison and Analysis of Agricultural and Forest Land Changes in Typical Agricultural Regions of Northern Mid-latitudes

The northeastern China, the United States, and the western Europe are important agricultural regions both on the global and regional scales. The westem Europe has a longer history of agricultural land development than the eastem United States. These two regions have changed from the deforestation and reclamation phase in the past to the current land abandonment and reforestation phase. Compared with the two regions, large-scale land exploitation has only been practiced in the northeastern China during the last century. After a short high-intensity deforestation and reclamation period, agricultural and forest lands are basically in a dynamic steady state. By comparing domestic and international agro-forestry development and considering the ecological environment and socio-economic bene- fits that can be derived from agro-forestry, this paper suggests that large area of reforestation would be inevitable in future though per- sistent and large agricultural demand in coming decades even more. And local reforestation at slope farmland with ecological vulner- ability should be imperative at present to avoid severer damage. At the same time, from the perspective of Land Change Science, the results demonstrate that the research on land use change in the agro-forestry ecotone is typical and critical, particularly those dealing with the analysis of spatial and temporal characteristics and the simulation of climate, hydrology, and other environmental effects.

Forest and Agricultural Land Use Changes in the Amur River Basin in the 20th Century:Tendencies and Driving Forces

The main part of the Amur River basin(over 90%) belongs to the Russian Far East and Northeastern China.Forests and agricultural lands,covering more than 70%of considered watershed,in the 20th century played a role of important resources base for both regional economic development and growth of national economies.Present-day and future environmental conditions of adjoining regions of Russia

Construction of Forest and Grass Industry Economic Belt Using Land Resources in Road Side Slope

The construction of expressway and high-speed rail is at the sacrifice of the soil ecological environment. It brings about much damaged land and bare slope. It is necessary to restore vegetation and rebuild landscape. In the design of target plant community and configuration plants,it is required to select as far as possible plants that can blossom and bear fruit or pods. Then seeds of these plants can be harvested,processed and sold,and applied for other projects,so as to develop into a complete forest and grass seed industry chain. This not only reasonably utilizes land resources,but also provides a new approach to the problem of insufficient fine forest seed sources in China. This paper discussed the use of land resources in road side slope and forest and grass seed selection and breeding technology,and elaborated the industrialized development paths for forest and grass seed industries in road side slope. Finally,it arrived at following recommendations.( i) The construction of forest and grass industry economic belt using land resources in road side slope can realize maximum land value. Building a road can help people there get rich,and the type of land and water cultivates its type of forest and grass.( ii) It can make up for the losses incurred from construction of expressway and high-speed rail or destroying forest land,and it can increase farmers' income.( iii) It can increase the supply of domestic seeds,reduce seed import,save foreign exchange,and partly solve the problem of insufficient supply of forest and grass seeds.( iv) It is able to form a complete forest and grass seed industry economic cycle chain,increase employment,and provide new approaches for enriching and benefiting farmers.

Agricultural land loss in China's urbanization process

In China, urbanization of agricultural land around city agglomerations increases rapidly. Rapid urbanization of agricultoral land affects food supply, land value and ecological balance in the society. In China, the urban built-up area had increased by 40% from 1996 to 2003. This increase came predominantly from farmland surrounding the cities. How the ongoing urbanization of China affects its agricultural land is the focus of this paper. In current studies, we have found that population density; urbanization degree and personal income are key factors that influence the urbanization process. Based on this, relation model has been established and to predict the general trends of the urban area expansion in China in 2020.In 2020, the constructed urban area of China would be increased by 1.3 times compared wtth 2003. In 2020, this study anticipates the conversion of about 32,562 sq. kin. agricultural land of China for urban use.

An Assessment of Land Cover Change in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria

The paper assessed the land cover change in Gashaka-Gumti National Park between 1991 and 2021. To achieve this, LandSat data of years 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 were obtained from the United States Geological Survey online resource. The findings of the study revealed that there is decrease in the different land cover types over time as a result of anthropogenic activities of the enclave dwellers. The study observed that the continuous existence of enclaves within and around the Park constitutes a serious threat to the survival of the Park. The study recommended that the federal government should consider resettlement of the enclave dwellers to give way for the development of the Park.

Characterizing historical(1992–2010) transitions between grassland and cropland in mainland France through mining land-cover survey data

Grassland, as one of the largest ecosystems on the earth, supports various goods and services to humanity.Historically, humans have increased agricultural output primarily by cropland expansion and agricultural intensification.The cropland area was primarily gained at the expense of grassland and forests.Apart from grassland conversion, increasing consumption of calorie- and meat-intensive diets drives the intensification of livestock systems, which is shifting steadily from grazing to feeding with crops.To cope with the environmental degradation due to agriculture, various forms of ‘green payment＇ were implemented to promote the adoption of sustainable farming practices over the last two decades in the European Union.The aim of this study is to monitor the recent transitions（1992–2010） between grassland and cropland during two Common Agricultural Policy（CAP） reforms at the French mainland scale.We proposed an innovative approach to link grassland conversion to agricultural commodities and farming systems practices.We first assessed the grassland-to-cropland conversion and further investigated the crop sequence patterns that were observed to be dominant after the conversion through mining land-cover survey data Teruti and Teruti-Lucas.We found the trends of the transitions between grassland and cropland over the two time intervals： The loss of grassland（1992–2003） and restoration or re-expansion of grassland（2006–2010） in mainland France.Our finding on the crop sequence patterns after the grassland conversion reveals two notable evolutions of agricultural production systems.These evolutions were related to the increase in the proportion of cropland in the total agricultural land use.One evolution was most likely influenced by the demand for fodder： The conversion from grazing livestock to feeding livestock.Another evolution was the conversion from livestock production to field crop production.Our results indicate that the intensification of livestock farming systems continued over the last two decades in France.We conclude that, the approach developed in this study can be considered as a generic method for monitoring the transitions between grassland and cropland and further identifying the crop sequence patterns after the grassland conversion from time-series land cover data.

LAND RESOURCE CHARACTERISTICS AND RATIONAL LAND-USE ARRANGEMENT FOR FARMING,FORESTRY AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY IN “THREE NORTHS” SHELTER FOREST AREA

The "Three Norths" (Northeastern China, Northern China, and Northwestern China)Shelter forest area is located in the north part of china. The area of this region occupies41% of the total area of China. This region is eager for being managed because of its fragileecological conditions. Therefore, the basic approach to realize the harmonious developmentof ecological and economic benefits is the rational arrangement of farming, forestry and pas-ure land according to the characteristics of land resources of this region.

Conversion of Andean montane forest to exotic forest plantation modifies soil physicochemical properties in the buffer zone of Ecuador's Podocarpus National Park

Background:Andean montane forests(AMF)are biodiversity hotspots that provide fundamental hydrological services as well as carbon storage and sequestration.In recent decades,southern Ecuador AMFs have been seriously threatened by increased logging and conversion to forest plantations with exotic species.In this context,our main objective was to evaluate the effects of AMF conversion to forest plantations on soil physicochemical properties in the buffer zone(Bz)of the Podocarpus National Park(PNP),in southern Ecuador.For this purpose,random samples were taken at a depth of 0-10 cm in four plots in each contrast zone and analyzed for bulk density,porosity,textural class,leaf litter depth,soil pH,as well as the contents of organic matter(SOM),soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen,and available phosphorus and potassium.Results:The results indicate that the conversion of AMFs produces an increase in bulk density and a decrease in SOM,SOC,and total nitrogen contents,thus modifying soil properties,which could result in a decrease in water regulation capacity and produce an increased risk of soil erosion.This accelerates degradation processes,as well as threatens shortages of the drinking water supply.Conclusions:This study can help decision-makers to implement soil management plans in the Bz of the PNP,based on the implementation of new regulations,where the conservation of AMF is promoted.In addition,it is recommended to apply environmental restoration strategies in the anthropized areas of the AMF,as well as in the areas with exotic eucalyptus and pine plantations.

Land Use and Land Cover Change in Northeast Gadarif State: Case of El Rawashda Forest, Sudan

The main objectives of this study were to detecting the land use and land cover change (LULC), using remote sensing techniques, then identify the reasons for rangeland and tree cover degradation in El Rawashda Forest, Gadarif State, Sudan. The study has conducted field experiment developed on an area of 20 feddans that was affected by deterioration in the forest and to assess the best method for rehabilitation of the vegetation cover in the area of study. The experimental area was divided into 5 blocks;each block consisted of 4 treatments: grass seeds and Talih (Acacia seyal var. seyal);sowing seeds just before autumn, sowing seeds after disc ploughing, sowing seeds using water harvesting technique and control (no seeding). In the present study an attempt has been made to analyze and monitor the LULC changes using multi‐temporal Landsat data deterioration in the forest and to assess the best method for restoration of the vegetation. In the present study, an attempt has been made to analyze and monitor the LULC changes using multi‐temporal Landsat data for years 1984, 1994 and 2013. LULC grades in the classification scheme are: Trees, Mechanized Rain-fed Agriculture (MRA), Grasses and Bare land. Individual classifications based on maximum likelihood of algorithm were used and the results showed a significant that extensive change of LULC patterns has occurred in all decades in the study area. The results also show Trees class was decreased, while MRA, Grasses and Bare land were increased. The seeding of the forage and Talih seeds after disc plowing gave the best results compared to the other treatments, followed by forage and Talih seed sowing under the water harvesting technique and broadcasting of forage and Talih seeds and finally the control.

Changes in Agricultural Biodiversity: Implications for Sustainable Livelihood in the Himalaya

Himalayan mountain system is distinguished globally for a rich biodiversity and for its role in regulating the climate of the South Asia. Traditional crop-livestock mixed farming in the Himalaya is highly dependent on forests for fodder and manure prepared from forest leaf litter and livestock excreta. Apart from sustaining farm production, forests provide a variety of other tangible and intangible benefits, which are critical for sustainable livelihood of not only 115 million mountain people, but also many more people living in the adjoining plains. Extension of agricultural land- use coupled with replacement of traditional staple food crops by cash crops and of multipurpose agroforestry trees by fruit trees are widespread changes. Cultivation of Fagopyrum esculentum, Fagopyrum tataricum, Panicum miliaceum, Setaria italica and Pisum arvense has been almost abandoned. Increasing stress on cash crops is driven by a socio-cultural change from subsistence to market economy facilitated by improvement in accessibility andsupplyofstaplefoodgrainsatsubsidizedpriceby the government. Farmers have gained substantial economic benefits from cash crops. However, loss of agrobiodiversity implies more risks to local livelihood in the events of downfall in market price/demand of cashcrops,terminationofsupplyofstaplefoodgrains at subsidized price, pest outbreaks in a cash crop dominated homogeneous landscape and abnormal climate years. Indigenous innovations enabling improvement in farm economy by conserving and/enhancing agrobiodiversity do exist, but are highly localized. The changes in agrobiodiversity are such that soil loss and run-off from the croplands have dramatically increased together with increase in local pressure on forests. As farm productivity is maintained with forest-based inputs, continued depletion of forest resources will result in poor economic returns from agriculture to local people, apart from loss of global benefits from Himalayan forests. Interventions including improvement in traditionalmanureandmanagementofon-farm trees, participatorydevelopmentofagroforestryindegraded forestlandsandpoliciesfavoringeconomicbenefitsto local people from non-timber forest products could reduce the risks of decline in agricultural biodiversity and associated threats to livelihoods and Himalayan ecosystems.

高分卫星监测大别山区西段土地利用时空变化研究

【目的】利用高分卫星监测大别山区西段林草湿地覆盖变化,对其生态环境进行定量评估,为后续生态环境保护及修复提供相关数据支撑。【方法】针对大别山西段典型生态屏障区,基于Landsat遥感影像,综合运用遥感图像处理技术制作了1980—2018年6期1:25万卫星遥感影像图和1:25万土地利用、覆盖遥感解译图。在此基础上,对大别山西段土地利用/覆盖各地类的面积进行统计计算,并对林草湿地覆盖的空间格局及时空变化进行了分析。【结果】从1980—2018年变化趋势来看:研究区内耕地总量持续减少,总面积减少了781.42 km2;草地呈先增加后减少的变化趋势,总面积减少了23.77 km~2;湿地呈现先减少后快速增加的趋势,总面积增加了168.43 km~2;林地面积呈波动变化,但整体上处于下降趋势;总面积减少了142.68 km~2。【结论】通过多期次遥感图像分析能够获取该地区土地利用和覆盖的空间分布格局及变化趋势,可为当地土地规划、利用和保护提供基础数据支撑,为生态保护和资源开发利用提供科学依据。

山水林田湖草沙一体化保护和修复工程对荆州市生态系统服务价值和稀缺价值的影响

以荆州市为研究区域,利用荆州市2021年相关数据计算和分析了荆州市生态系统服务价值(ESV)和生态系统服务稀缺价值(ESSV)指标,并运用地理信息图谱、景观格局指数、冷热点分析法、供给和需求弹性指数等方法评估和揭示ESV和ESSV的时空异质性变化及其原因和机制。结果表明,土地利用变化主要集中于耕地转变为林地或草地,未利用地转变为水域或其他类型,林地或草地转变为建设用地。各类型土地的多样性和均衡性均提高,山水林田湖草沙一体化保护和修复工程(SLCP)的综合治理和协调发展等措施的效果取得一定成效。ESSV在空间上呈现出由东部向西部递增的分布特征,且在空间上呈现出明显的聚集特征。

2022年广西林草湿地图斑监测底图处理方法

森林、草原、湿地图斑监测底图的完善是2022年森林、草原、湿地图斑监测工作的基础和前提。针对国家下发的监测底图存在的共性问题和广西地方管理的需要,提出监测底图处理思路和手段。根据广西2022年林草湿图斑监测工作操作细则要求,基于ArcEngine二次开发技术开发辅助处理插件,实现不同调查单位监测底图统一处理。

甘草规范化种植体系研究与生态种植策略建议

以建立高品质甘草林下规范化生态种植技术体系为指导,探索甘草林下生态种植的技术体系核心问题与关键技术,并进一步探讨了甘草产业的发展方向。通过实地调研对甘草生态种植的问题与现状进行归纳整理,对不同产地甘草种子种苗进行质量评价,对甘草生产过程的关键技术进行研究,在传统大田种植的基础上进行改进与修正。研究结果表明,“国甘1号”“蒙种2代”和新疆北屯的甘草可作为科尔沁地区的优质种源。推进甘草种植过程机械化可缓解甘草规模化产业生产劳动力缺乏,提升产地加工水平。在不同种植密度和施肥处理下,甘草适宜种植密度为20~25 cm,适宜底肥为有机肥,可追施一定量的钾肥和磷肥。甘草林下规范化生态种植在一定程度上解决了甘草种植侵占农田、与退耕还林政策冲突等问题,是甘草增产增效的有效手段。同时,推动甘草产地初加工的发展,对打造甘草产业生态化、信息化和品牌化,以及经济效益的提高具有促进作用。