Can We Prevent Irreversible Decline? A Comprehensive Analysis of Natural Conditions and Quality Factor Thresholds of Cultivated Land in China

Abstract

Over the past two decades, China’s spatial distribution of cultivated land has been stable, yet there remains an urgent need to amplify grain productivity. The central scientific question addressed in this study is: How can we effectively evaluate the natural resource thresholds of cultivated land at a regional scale? Despite existing systems, there is a noticeable gap, particularly in this area of inquiry. Recognizing the present state of these resources and introducing more efficient management strategies is pivotal. This paper aims to research the restrictive situation of the natural resources background quality (NRB-quality) of China’s cultivated land by developing an innovative classification method and a short-board identification method and adopting cluster analysis and other technical methods. The results showed that (1) China mainly maintains medium-quality land (57.30%). The soil texture displayed a fine average grade of 1.39, while the biodiversity, soil pH, secondary land types, and cropping systems indicated poor conditions, with average scores of 2.01, 2.06, 2.26, and 2.33. (2) A notable difference in the restrictive factors of cultivated land quality emerged, with secondary land types of cultivated land (including paddy field, irrigated land, and dry land) being the only national short-board factor. Regionally, the cropping system, secondary land types of cultivated land, and natural region were identified as short-board factors in 31, 24, and 23 natural regions. (3) The regional difference in cultivated land quality leads to six different management strategies. Eastern regions emphasized stabilizing land distribution and infrastructure enhancement, while China’s western areas advocated cautious development and heightened ecological protection. The findings demonstrated regional differences in the status of cultivated land quality factors; implementing classified management approaches for cultivated land quality factors based on their characteristics is vital to preventing irreversible decline. The study serves as an important basis for the protection and utilization of cultivated land in the new era to clarify the NRB-quality differences of cultivated land in China.

Keywords

• cultivated land
• quality factors
• classification system
• environmental constraints
• regional governance