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The arctic tundra and boreal forest were once considered the last frontiers on earth because of their vast expanses remote from agricultural land-use change and industrial development. These regions are now, however, experiencing environmental and social changes that are as rapid as those occurring anywhere on earth. This paper summarizes the role of northern regions in the global system and provides a blueprint for assessing the factors that govern their sensitivity to social and environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper forecasts major trends behind the conversion of arable land to nonagricultural uses by the year 2030, as well as food production capacities in China. It was found that agricultural structure adjustment, urbanization and industrialization will play an equally important role in reducing the gross quantity of arable land. In order to conserve high-quality farmland it is necessary to increase the intensity of nonagricultural land uses through both economic incentives andadministrative measures. The findings show that strengthening protection measures for arable land, including land reorganization, land reclamation, and land restoration, will significantly contribute to maintaining the acreage of arable land and enhancing food production capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]