How does the Ecological Well-Being of Urban and Rural Residents Change with Rural-Urban Land Conversion? The Case of Hubei, China

Abstract

Human well-being can be affected by the loss of ecosystem services from conversion of agricultural lands. Uncovering negative ecological consequences of rural-urban conversion is important for regulating rural-urban land conversion. This paper evaluates the impacts of rural-urban land conversion on the ecological well-being of different interest groups in China and makes policy recommendations for mitigating them. This research empirically quantifies and compares changes in the ecological well-being of rural and urban residents due to rural-urban land conversion and examines how transformation factors affect such changes in Hubei, China using the Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation Model. Results show that compared with urban residents, rural resident ecological well-being level declines more obviously with rural-urban land conversion. Two socio-demographic characteristics, age and education level, as well as zoning characteristics, influence both rural and urban resident well-being changes. It is argued that there is a need for quantitative measurement of agricultural ecosystem services changes and that the construction of ecological compensation policies in areas undergoing rural-urban land conversion is essential for regulating rural-urban land conversion and for maintaining resident ecological well-being.

Quantifying Ecological Well-Being Loss under Rural–Urban Land Conversion: A Study from Choice Experiments in China

“…As the major interest groups of rural-urban land conversion, the economic value loss experienced by rural and urban residents provides a reference for determining ecological compensation standards. As previous studies indicated, stakeholders in rural-urban land conversion are experiencing different changes in ecological well-being [7,49]. In our research, rural residents' ecological well-being declined more markedly than urban residents', which can be probably explained by their relationships with agro-ecosystem.…”

“…For the sake of comparing the different impacts of rural-urban land conversion on urban and rural residents, the ecological well-being attributes for these two groups are selected, respectively. Their detailed definitions and selection references can be found in our previous research [7].…”

“…While the older residents, limited by age, education level and vocational skills, either engage in basic labour in nearby factories for meagre wages, or idle at home to take care of their grandchildren. In general, the loss of their freedom of choice and action is permanent because the rural-urban land conversion is irreversible [7].…”

“…Land use/cover change (LUCC) has been highlighted as a key human-induced effect on agricultural ES [6]. As a type of LUCC, rural-urban land conversion is defined as agricultural land in rural areas being converted into developed urban land [7]. With the process of conversion, agricultural land's original soil texture, biological community, moisture migration, and surface structure are destroyed [8].…”

Modelling Development, Territorial and Legislative Factors Impacting the Changes in Use of Agricultural Land in Slovakia

“…This situation underlines the urgent need for the government to develop an effective policy for the protection of agricultural land [18][19][20][21]. An elaboration of studies on the use and withdrawal of agricultural land can be seen as an important tool for policy makers and future generations and for maintaining ecological well-being of inhabitants [22]. A study conducted in selected EU cities has demonstrated that an integrated approach, along with other sustainability objectives instead of isolated programs, reduces the withdrawal of land and subsequent impermeable coverage [5].…”