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• K-means clustering algorithm to identify supply–demand alignment of CL functions. • A trade-off relationship exists between CL production and ecological functions. • Using multifunction supply–demand analysis to divide the dominant functional zones. • Transformation through dominant functional use and ecological protection in TPEFR. • Multifunction cultivated land use is beneficial to ecological conservation. The coordinated development of ecological services, food production, and human survival presents new challenges for protecting cultivated land (CL) in the ecologically fragile region of the Tibetan Plateau (TPEFR). There is an urgent need to explore transformative pathways for conserving CL in the region. In this study, a multifunctional supply and demand perspective is taken to explore such pathways. Correlation analysis and a coupled coordination degree model are used to understand the intrinsic structural characteristics that impact the multifunctionality of CLs. The K-means clustering algorithm is utilized to identify the alignment between the supply and demand of multiple CL functions and determine dominant and deficient CL functions. Finally, a comprehensive zoning approach is employed to enhance the dominant functions of CL, and transformation zones and the corresponding directions of these functions are identified, along with proposed countermeasures. The findings indicate the following: (1) There were disparities between the supply and demand of production, life, and ecological functions in Qinghai Province from 2000 to 2020. (2) A trade-off relationship exists between the supply and demand of CL production and ecological functions. (3) The degree of coordination between CL functions decreases from east to west in Qinghai Province. (4) CL resources in Qinghai Province can be categorized into eight zones. Among these, four zones undergo function-enhancing transformation to enhance production function, life function, ecological function, and multifunctional synergistic enhancement and protection. The remaining four zones prioritize the protection of ecological functions. In this study, a new paradigm is provided for the protection of CL in the TPEFR. The intrinsic mechanism and extrinsic aggregation of multifunctional supply–demand relationships are considered for comprehensive multifunctional zoning of CL, and the different transformation areas and their transformation directions are clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated land compensation can alleviate the conflict between cultivated land protection and socio-economic development. Exploring the spatial-temporal trends of cultivated land compensation, and formulating a scientific and reasonable compensation mechanism are important to achieve sustainable development. To analyze the spatial-temporal changes of the area, comprehensive non-market value, and compensation amount of cultivated land in mainland China, this paper constructed a comprehensive non-market value evaluation framework including positive ecological, negative ecological, and social values, and designed a feasible cultivated land compensation model. In terms of cultivated land area, the cultivated land area indicated an overall surplus condition, and the total net surplus area during 2000–2021 was 54.4 million hectares per year. On a spatial scale, the net surplus districts were concentrated in the north and the center of China, while the net deficit districts were in the developed areas along the southeast coast. In terms of comprehensive non-market value, except for negative ecological value, all other non-market values had increased. On a spatial scale, the coupling relationship between comprehensive non-market value and regional economic development was obvious, presenting a higher value observed in the southeastern coastal developed provinces, and a lower one in the developing inland provinces. In terms of compensation amount, the total payment amount of the payment districts was difficult to cover the total compensation amount of the compensated districts, a certain compensation gap between the two appeared, averaging 6.03 trillion RMB during 2000–2021. On a spatial scale, the payment districts were mainly distributed in the southeastern coastal area, and the number of the payment districts was smaller than that of the compensated area. It is suggested that we should clarify the subject of cultivated land compensation and identify its rights and responsibilities, highlight the leading role of the central government and give full play to the main role of all levels of government, adopt diversified market financing instruments according to local conditions, and formulate relevant supporting security systems. [Display omitted] • The estimated cultivated land compensation amount is reasonable and feasible. • The payment amount was significantly less than the compensated amount. • The payment capacity improved and the reimbursement requirements dropped. • A feasible compensation mechanism was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated land protection plays a pivotal role in ensuring grain security. Although China has managed to halt the continuous decline in the total amount of cultivated land over the years, some of the complementary cultivated land is of poor quality. Therefore, China still needs to strengthen cultivated land protection by implementing cultivated land restoration (CLR). However, current studies on CLR have certain limitations, as they neglect the multidimensional perspective of cultivation suitability evaluation (CSE) and fail to prioritise specific types of secondary land for restoration. In this context, based on a theoretical analysis of the objects, connotations and objectives of CLR, focusing on the Chengdu Plain, China's primary grain-producing area, this study devised four CLR scenarios: the priority to sustainable use scenario (PSS), the priority to cost scenario (PCS), the priority to ecological health scenario (PES), and the comprehensive restoration scenario (CRS). These scenarios aimed to address three key questions about CLR: where to restore, what to restore, and how effective it is. The findings revealed that areas with high cultivation suitability values were located predominantly in flat regions with favourable natural conditions. Garden land and forest land emerged as the primary sources for CLR, with restored paddy field being more widely distributed, while restored irrigated land and dryland were concentrated in specific parts of the study area. Besides, the restoration of cultivated land led to a significant increase in grain production across all scenarios, with optimal resource allocation. Notably, the PSS scenario demonstrated the most promising results, resulting in a remarkable 59.20% increase in grain production. Therefore, we emphasise that the scientific CLR implementation is of great significance to cultivated land protection in China at this stage, and we advocate for conducting CSE and managing all potentially arable land (PAL) with a focus on sustainable use. Overall, this study offers valuable insights that can serve as a reference for other countries or regions facing similar challenges, such as limited per capita cultivated land and variations in land quality, regarding CLR and the sustainable management of agricultural land. • A system for cultivation suitability evaluation (CSE) is proposed in the context of cultivated land restoration (CLR). • The methods for identifying low-quality land for retiredment and secondary cultivated land for restoration are clarified. • Implementation of CLR can increase the level of grain production and promote the optimisation of land use structure. • Scientific CLR implementation is significant in developing countries such as China, where per capita cultivation is limited. • CSE and management of all potentially arable land (PAL) should be conducted with the objective of sustainable use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study a technical approach was proposed to protect the cultivated land from subsidence and mitigate contamination from colliery gangue heaps on the basis of analyzing the influence mechanism of mining subsidence on cultivated land. The model to assess the capacity for protection of cultivated land was established and applied to Wugou coal mine, China. The results indicated the following: 1) Gangue backfilling mining technology can not only protect cultivated land, but also avoid wastage of surface land resources and eliminate pollution caused by the accumulation of gangue. 2) The protection of arable land by direct backfilling of gangue was 25 ha/Mt and that by implementing underground treatment to avoid loss of surface land by occupation of gangue was 5.087 ha/Mt. The four provinces in China that face these two serious problems were taken as examples to analyze prospects for the promotion and application of this technology. This theoretical and applied research can provide a new technical approach for the protection of cultivated land and mitigating gangue contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific understanding and measurement of cultivated ecosystem resilience is crucial for the protection of cultivated land represented by black soil and the sustainable development of cultivated land ecosystem. In this study, we took Qiqihar, a typical black soil region, as the study area and divided the cultivated land ecosystem into two subsystems, black soil ecology and human socioeconomic. And we constructed a "policy background - generation process - system composition" measurement element screening model (PGSM) to establish the subsystem index systems. Cultivated land ecosystem resilience in 2020 was measured by the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model and the multiscale fusion model. The results showed that the resilience of the black soil ecological subsystem (54.27) in Qiqihar is higher than that of the socioeconomic subsystem (49.01), and their spatial distribution trends were opposite. The overall resilience of cultivated land ecosystem was moderately low (51.64) but spatially heterogeneous. Cultivated land resource endowment and human activities pressure had the greatest impact on the subsystem. Socioeconomic input was the primary problem in regional resilience. Based on these findings, we made suggestions for cultivated land protection in black soil regions. This study contributes to the scientific and comprehensive measurement of the cultivated land ecosystem resilience and provides reference for sustainable management of black soil systems in China and globally. [Display omitted] • The sustainable management of black soil system was explored from the resilience perspective. • A measurement element screening model of filter structure was proposed. • Qiqihar had an imbalance between natural ecology and socio-economic in cultivated land ecosystem. • Feasible suggestions for the cultivated land protection in black soil region were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four ecosystem services that are important for the ecological protection of the Yellow River were quantified. • Ecological sources were identified considering ecosystem service trade-offs. • The ecological security pattern was constructed based on the MCR model and circuit theory. • The ecological security pattern termed "five zones, one belt, multiple corridors, multiple points" was proposed. • The results of the study achieved the coordinated development of the cultivated land use and ecological protection. The protection and sustainable management of cultivated land are cornerstones of ensuring ecological balance. In implementing cultivated land protection policies, spatially defined land-use strategies can aid in the sustainable utilization of these land resources. Yet, recent agricultural activities have affected the water quality of the Yellow River and pose a significant challenge to the Yellow River basin. Many policy considerations have overlooked the ecosystem integrity. To address this oversight, we targeted cities bordering the main course of the Yellow River in Henan Province and constructed an ecological security pattern (ESP) defined by "five zones, one belt, multiple corridors, multiple points" to coordinated development cultivated land use and ecological protection. Ecological sources were identified via four ecosystem services (ESs) and the ordered weighted average (OWA) method. The ESP was built using the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and circuit theory, while cultivated land protection and natural development scenarios were simulated using the FLUS model. The results showed that the cultivated land protection scene under ecological security pattern restriction (ESPR-CP) was beneficial to the ecological environment. Prior to enacting cultivated land protection measures, developments within priority conservation areas should be restricted. Cultivable areas should be at the forefront of stringent land protection policies. In addition, cultivated land situated along key ecological corridors and pinch points should improve in soil quality while prohibiting conversion to other types of land use, and the conversion of cultivated land in barriers to green space should be promoted further. This study provided a theoretical basis for how the government may enforce the cultivated land protection policy while promoting ecological protection, and it is also relevant to other areas located on both sides of the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the rapid economic and social development that has occurred since 1978, when China adopted a policy of reform and liberalization, the cultivated land area has rapidly decreased. Identifying the best mechanism for protecting cultivated land has attracted much attention from the Chinese government. As a result, a succession of cultivated land protection policies have been devised and promulgated. To better understand these policies, this study reviewed the development of China’s cultivated land protection policies since 1978. The policies developed over four different periods following 1978: (1) 1978–1985, (2) 1986–1997, (3) 1998–2003, and (4) 2004 to the present. During each stage, cultivated land protection policies continually developed and acquired distinct characteristics in response to a succession of varying economic and social contexts. Although China has encountered difficulties and setbacks in implementing policies, and results have been sometimes unsatisfactory, land protection policies have continually improved and now play an important role in managing China’s cultivated land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We use the contingent valuation method (CVM) to examine cultivated land protection preferences. [•] We estimate the mean WTP values and total benefits of cultivated land protection. [•] Results confirm the need to integrate cultivated land protection to land-use and landscape planning policy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study measures the public preferences for cultivated land protection as a case study of Wenling City, China, using the choice experiment (CE) approach. The estimation results indicate that the most important attribute for cultivated land protection in Wenling City was land facility, followed by land fertility and then by landscape improvement. The monthly willingness-to-pay of a typical household for the cultivated land protection from the status quo to the highest attribute level is calculated as RMB23.79 (US$3.66), and the total annual willingness-to-pay for the entire population of the study area is RMB232 million (US$35.7 million). This study allows us to provide policymakers with quantitative information related to cultivated land protection programs. The study concludes that CE is a reliable tool in the analysis of respondent preferences for the development of suitable cultivated land protection schemes in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reviews the concept, theories and applications of virtual cultivated land, theoretically analyses the feasibility of virtual cultivated land applied in compensation of cultivated land protection between the regions, sets up the compensation mechanism of Inter-district cultivated land protection based on virtual cultivated land. The results show that: the opportunity cost of virtual cultivated land protection in food input area is much higher than that of food output. The virtual land input area compensates the output area according to opportunity cost of the cultivated land protection which will not only ensure the economic benefits from non-agricultural land conversion for the region, but also provide compensation for output areas, reflecting inter-regional equity in farmland protection. The conclusions are as following: The introduction of virtual land and expanding the theoretical basis of compensation for farmland protection, which do not only clearly indicate the flow directions of land conservation benefits and the manner of main beneficiaries, but also directly reflect the effect of farmland preservation among regions, highlighting major grain producing area contribution to national food security, making compensation for land protection more convinced among regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a holistic method by integrating three concepts (land resources management, assets supervision and political governance for sustainability) for investigation of land administration in China, taking into consideration of cultivated land protection for a testimony with econometric method. Theoretically, in this self-organizing integrated method, land resources management focuses on the productivity of land; land assets supervision centralizes on the realization of land usufruct rights in land transference; land political governance for sustainability concentrates on harmonious linkage of economic efficiency, social stability and environmental safety of land use. Their interrelations are complex. Methodologically, the results indicate that the theoretical model is feasible to explain variations of cultivated land protection with these three concepts. Cultivated land decreases with increasing land value increment multiples, and is positive with political governance concept, but not in a linear fashion. Finally the results suggest that roles of government in land administration need to be changed and strengthened, supporting complete compensation for land expropriation and modification to policies of cultivated land. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To analyze current policies on cultivated land protection, this article discusses the application of transferable development rights in cultivated land protection by examining the connotation, operation mechanism, and construction on the market mechanism, benefits driving forces, and expected benefits. The results suggest that economic incentives and fairness have been neglected in previous policies on cultivated land protection. Moreover, the introduction of transferable development rights can not only eliminate the imbalance of interests, but also enhance the incentives for farmers and developers. In addition, it can significantly reduce the fiscal expenditure of the government. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Food security concerns the economy, people's livelihood and social stability of a country or region. Countries around the world always put food security on their high-priority political agenda. As the most populous developing country in the world, China produces one-fourth of the world's food and feeds one-fifth of the population. Therefore, China's food security has attracted global attention. However, systematic research on China's food security is still insufficient. This study systematically reviewed the key issues facing China's food (supply) security, identified the potential factors affecting the county's grain production, and put forward countermeasures to further ensure food security. Results show that over the past four decades, China's rural population decreased significantly, and cultivated land area decreased in the south and increased in the north, and grain output risen in volatility. China's food security is latent with regional, structural and technical crises, and further ensuring China's food security is faced with many challenges. Potential factors affecting China's food security include the rapid farmland conversion, the aging and weakening of farmers, the spatial mismatch of water-land resources and grain production, the periodicity and instability of climate change, and the unbalanced spatial coupling of population, land and grain (PLG) system. Differentiated and oriented response measures to resolve regional and structural issues should be adopted to further ensure China's food security. • Key issues facing China's food security were investigated. • Potential factors affecting China's grain production were identified. • China's cultivated land has decreased in the south and increased in the north, and grain output has risen in volatility. • China's food security lurks regional, structural and technical crises. • Differentiated measures should be adopted to further ensure China's food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated land protection is an important way to ensure food security, social stability and sustainable development. As one of the main causes of cultivated land loss, the spatio-temporal pattern of illegal cultivated land use and driving forces have not been systematically investigated. This study first reviewed the evolution of China's cultivated land protection policy in the past four decades, then used spatial analysis technology to explore the spatio-temporal patterns of China's illegal cultivated land use, and finally applied an econometric model to assess the impact of population growth, economic development and rising housing prices on illegal cultivated land use at the national and regional levels based on the balanced provincial panel data from 1999 to 2017. The results show that in the past 40 years, China has attached great importance to the protection of cultivated land, and established a relatively perfect cultivated land protection system. The quantity of cultivated land in China kept a dynamic balance on the whole, but the quality of cultivated land has dropped sharply, and regional human-land conflicts has become prominent. The driving forces of cultivated land loss in China varied across regions. Illegal use of cultivated land was also one of the important driving forces of cultivated land reduction in China. The number of illegal land use cases and the area appropriated have experienced a process of first increase and then decrease over the past two decades. The accumulated cases and area of illegal farmland use in the eastern region were larger than that in the central and western regions, but both showed a rapid downward trend over the past two decades, demonstrating that the illegal use of cultivated land in eastern China has been controlled to a certain extent. Population growth and land urbanization have a significant positive impact on illegal cultivated land use area in China and its three regions, while economic development has not driven but curbed illegal land use. The rise of commercial housing prices has no significant impact on illegal farmland use in rural China. We proposed measures to further control the illegal use of cultivated land, and believed that it is necessary and urgent to stop illegal occupation of cultivated land from the source • Spatio-temporal patterns of China's cultivated land and illegal use were analyzed. • Cultivated land loss and supplement in western China was larger than that in eastern and central regions over the past two decades. • Illegal occupation of cultivated land was the main body of illegal land use in China. • Illegal cultivated land use in the eastern China has a downward trend, while has an increasing trend in central and western regions. • Effects of population, economic growth, urbanization and housing price on illegal cultivated land use varied across regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The evaluation system for cultivated land protection policies (CLPP) is established. • Methods adopted include the text mining technology and the PMC-Index Model. • The strengths and weaknesses of the 8 CLPP in China since 2004 are quantitatively evaluated. • The design of the 8 CLPP is generally reasonable. The evaluation of cultivated land protection policies (CLPP) is the main basis for reducing the deviation of policy implementation and ensuring the sustainable and efficient operation of cultivated land protection. This paper used the PMC-Index model to establish an evaluation system for CLPP, and then quantitatively evaluated 8 CLPP in China since 2004 based on the PMC-Index and PMC-Surface. It was found that the PMC-Index of the selected 8 CLPP have shown an overall upward trend, with the score increased from 4.70 to 6.85. The average value of PMC-Index of the 8 policies was 5.74. 4 policies had a PMC-Index rating of good consistency, and 4 policies were acceptable consistency. This paper further compared and analyzed the differences between policies ranked the first (P8) and the last (P1). The results showed that the existing CLPP had much room for improvement in terms of the structure of policy tools, coordination of policy release agency, and the completeness of policy content. This study is good for fully understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the single policy for China's cultivated land protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]