Exploring the Dynamic Mechanisms of Farmland Abandonment Based on a Spatially Explicit Economic Model for Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study in Jiangxi Province, China

Abstract

Abstract:Farmland abandonment has important impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem recovery, as well as food security and rural sustainable development. Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, farmland abandonment has become an increasingly important problem in many countries, particularly in China. To promote sustainable land-use management and environmental sustainability, it is important to understand the socioeconomic causes and spatial patterns of farmland abandonment. In this study, we explored the dynamic mechanisms of farmland abandonment in Jiangxi province of China using a spatially explicit economical model. The results show that the variables associated with the agricultural products yield are significantly correlated with farmland abandonment. The increasing opportunity cost of farming labor is the main factor in farmland abandonment in conjunction with a rural labor shortage due to rural-to-urban population migration and regional industrialization. Farmlands are more likely to be abandoned in areas located far from the villages and towns due to higher transportation costs. Additionally, farmers with more land but lower net income are more likely to abandon poor-quality farmland. Our results support the hypothesis that farmland abandonment takes place in locations in which the costs of cultivation are high and the potential crop yield is low. In addition, our study also demonstrates that a spatially explicit economic model is necessary to distinguish between the main driving forces of farmland abandonment. Policy implications are also provided for potential future policy decisions.

Spatial Analysis of Chinese Grain Production for Sustainable Land Management in Plain, Hill, and Mountain Counties

“…This is the major reason that the spatial pattern of Chinese total grain production agrees with the geographical distribution of landforms, in keeping with the findings from Xu and Zhu [39]. The results also support previous studies [17][18][19][20][21] on the impacts of the GGP and cultivated land abandonment on grain production and vice versa.…”

“…Additionally, migration from rural to urban areas has been higher since about 2002 [38]. Agricultural labor loss causes the abandonment of cultivated land and a subsequent reduction of grain output in mountain regions, as the labor loss cannot be counteracted by increased mechanization due to the restrictions presented by the terrain [20][21][22]. …”

Analysis of Farmland Abandonment at Parcel Level: A Case Study in the Mountainous Area of China

“…Further, Chongqing is home to China's currently most administrative jurisdiction unit. 19,634 yuan (calculating the permanent resident populations). The county is very mountainous and is often referred to as being made up of "eight mountains, half water and one and a half farmland".…”

“…During the second half of the 20th century, the global mountain population continued to decrease, and the vast land abandonment phenomenon occurred [8,9]. In such areas as the Mediterranean region, North America, Europe, and Japan, events such as farmland abandonment, the increase of forest areas, and the discontinuation of marginal farmland production [10][11][12][13] can be considered as typical in cases of farmland marginalization [14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

Gathered Village Location Optimization for Chinese Sustainable Urbanization Using an Integrated MODM Approach under Bi-Uncertain Environment

“…Lin and Meulder [5] demonstrate that nearby PM has a positive impact on rapid urbanization by supplying adequate housing, public education services and job opportunities for migrants. Besides, Xie et al [6] demonstrate that PM will cause the loss of labor force, leading to a large number of abandoned farmland. Moreover, Gao et al [7] hold that rural housing abandonment will be happening along with PM.…”