Journal Description
Land
Land
is an international and cross-disciplinary, peer-reviewed, open access journal on land system science, landscape, soil–sediment–water systems, urban study, land–climate interactions, water–energy–land–food (WELF) nexus, biodiversity research and health nexus, land modelling and data processing, ecosystem services, and multifunctionality and sustainability etc., published monthly online by MDPI. The International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE), European Land-use Institute (ELI), Landscape Institute (LI) and Urban Land Institute (ULI) are affiliated with Land, and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SSCI (Web of Science), PubAg, AGRIS, GeoRef, RePEc, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Environmental Studies) / CiteScore - Q2 (Nature and Landscape Conservation)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 14.8 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.7 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
3.9 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
4.0 (2022)
Latest Articles
Perspectives on Cadastre and Land Management in Support of Sustainable Real Estate Markets
Land 2024, 13(5), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050573 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Land is a limited resource and its responsible use requires administration, management, and planning [...]
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cadastre and Land Management in Support of Sustainable Real Estate Markets)
Open AccessArticle
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Ecological Parameters in Various Land Use Types in China during the First 20 Years of the 21st Century
by
Cong Zhang, Xiaojun Yao, Lina Xiu, Huian Jin and Juan Cao
Land 2024, 13(5), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050572 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Ecological quality in China has experienced significant improvements due to the interplay of climate change and human activities. Nevertheless, previous studies exploring the trend of ecological parameters have always overlooked the effects of land use types. Therefore, in this study, we explored the
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Ecological quality in China has experienced significant improvements due to the interplay of climate change and human activities. Nevertheless, previous studies exploring the trend of ecological parameters have always overlooked the effects of land use types. Therefore, in this study, we explored the spatiotemporal variation in ecological parameters in various land use types and discussed the relationship between ecological parameters and climatic factors in China during the first 20 years of the 21st century. The results show that: (1) The area of grassland and unutilized land decreased, and the area of other land use types increased. (2) Distinct variations in the average, slope, and interval distribution of ecological parameters across various land use types were evident. Particularly significant increases in ecological parameters were observed in cultivated land and forest. (3) The influence of land use and land cover change on ecological parameters was evident. The conversion of cultivated land, forest, and grassland into water bodies, constructive land, and unutilized land resulted in a significant decrease in ecological parameters. (4) The distinct climatic conditions resulted in heightened monthly variations in the ecological parameters. Significant monthly fluctuations in ecological parameters were observed for cultivated land, forest, grassland, and constructed land, while water bodies and unutilized land did not exhibit such variations. (5) The correlation between ecological parameters and climatic factors varied considerably in various land use types in different regions.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Land Use and Land Cover Mapping)
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Multi-Scenario Simulating the Impacts of Land Use Changes on Ecosystem Health in Urban Agglomerations on the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountain, China
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Ziyi Hua, Jing Ma, Yan Sun, Yongjun Yang, Xinhua Zhu and Fu Chen
Land 2024, 13(5), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050571 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
It is of great significance for scientific land use planning and ecological security protection to clarify the impacts of land use changes on an ecosystem’s health. Based on the dynamic evolution of land use and ecosystem health on the Northern Slope of Tianshan
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It is of great significance for scientific land use planning and ecological security protection to clarify the impacts of land use changes on an ecosystem’s health. Based on the dynamic evolution of land use and ecosystem health on the Northern Slope of Tianshan Mountain (NSTM) from 2000 to 2020, this study utilized the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model, the Vitality–Organization–Resilience–Services (VORS) model, and the elasticity approach to assess the impacts of land use changes on ecosystem health under four different scenarios: Natural Development Scenario (ND), Farmland Conservation Priority Scenario (FP), Ecological Conservation Priority Scenario (EP), and Urban Development Priority Scenario (UD). The results indicate that (1) land use on the NSTM from 2000 to 2020 was predominantly characterized by barren land and grassland. (2) The overall level of ecosystem health on the NSTM was poor from 2000 to 2020 but showed a gradual improvement trend. (3) Ecosystem health levels vary greatly across scenarios. In general, ecosystem health improves under FP and EP scenarios but deteriorates significantly under ND and UD scenarios. The resilience of ecosystem health varies significantly across different land categories. In the future, optimizing the current land use pattern and refining the ecological protection policy are essential to enhance ecosystem health and services in the NSTM.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Remote Sensing and GIS for Monitoring Land Use Change and Its Ecological Effects)
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Open AccessArticle
The Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Ecological Security Pattern in the Loess Plateau, China
by
Manya Luo, Xia Jia, Yonghua Zhao, Huanyuan Wang, Chunyang Chen, Dongqian Li, Shuyuan Yang and Juan Li
Land 2024, 13(5), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050570 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024
Abstract
As a typical ecologically fragile area, the ecological security of the Loess Plateau has been seriously threatened. Ecological security patterns (ESP) have gradually become an effective method for protecting ecological security and supporting the management and sustainable development of ecosystems. Therefore, this study
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As a typical ecologically fragile area, the ecological security of the Loess Plateau has been seriously threatened. Ecological security patterns (ESP) have gradually become an effective method for protecting ecological security and supporting the management and sustainable development of ecosystems. Therefore, this study constructed a novel ESP based on ecological “function–structure”, utilizing minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) to identify ecological source areas and corridors. Additionally, time scales were introduced into the ESP, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of ecological security in the Loess Plateau. The study revealed that the number of ecological sources decreased from southeast to northwest, with 27, 41, and 77 sources covering total areas of 4263.810 km2, 18,566.034 km2, and 113,209.595 km2 from 2000 to 2020, respectively. Similarly, the number and complexity of ecological corridors increased over the same time period, with 64, 85, and 105 corridors totaling lengths of 4579.326 km, 6526.996 km, and 7015.174 km, respectively. The expansion of ecological security zones was mainly observed in the southeast part of the Loess Plateau. Overall, the ESP of the Loess Plateau saw an improvement, with the southeastern part showing better ecological security than the northwestern part. These findings hold great significance for regional ecological security evaluations and are crucial for promoting ecological management and healthy development in the Loess Plateau.
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(This article belongs to the Section Landscape Ecology)
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Open AccessArticle
Early Identification and Dynamic Stability Evaluation of High-Locality Landslides in Yezhi Site Area, China by the InSAR Method
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Baoqin Lian, Daozheng Wang, Xingang Wang and Weijia Tan
Land 2024, 13(5), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050569 - 24 Apr 2024
Abstract
In mountainous regions, high-locality landslides have the characteristics of a latent disaster process with a wide disaster range, which can easily cause large casualties. Therefore, early landslide identification and dynamic stability evaluation are significant. We first used multi-temporal synthetic aperture radar data to
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In mountainous regions, high-locality landslides have the characteristics of a latent disaster process with a wide disaster range, which can easily cause large casualties. Therefore, early landslide identification and dynamic stability evaluation are significant. We first used multi-temporal synthetic aperture radar data to detect potential landslides at Yezhi Site Area during the 2015–2020 period, identifying and mapping a total of 18 active landslides. The study area was found to have an average deformation rate between −15 and 10 mm/y during the period. Then, time series and spatiotemporal deformation characteristics of landslides were examined using interferogram stacking and small baseline interferometry techniques. The results show that the majority of the landslide deformations detected exhibit a periodic variation trend, and the study area was in a slow deformation state before 2017. Finally, combined with detection results, Google Earth optical images, and field investigations, it is concluded that the main factors affecting the time series deformation and spatial distribution of landslides in the study area are rainfall, geological factors, and engineering activities. The results of this study provide valuable technical references and support for early identification and dynamic stability evaluation of regional active landslides in complex terrain, especially for high-locality landslides.
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Open AccessArticle
Spatiotemporal Pattern and Drivers of Ecological Quality in Inner Mongolia
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Shouwei Li, Shufeng Qu, Guoming Zhang, Yuantao Zhou, Xuran Sun, Jiaxue Li and Shanshan Zhang
Land 2024, 13(5), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050568 - 24 Apr 2024
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With the escalating global climate change and frequent human activities, Inner Mongolia, as a crucial ecological barrier in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Bohai Economic Rim, and even the whole country, confronts many ecosystem issues. To reveal the intricate interplay between natural processes, human activities,
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With the escalating global climate change and frequent human activities, Inner Mongolia, as a crucial ecological barrier in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Bohai Economic Rim, and even the whole country, confronts many ecosystem issues. To reveal the intricate interplay between natural processes, human activities, and policy interventions shaping the region’s ecological landscape, we provide a comprehensive analysis of ecological quality in Inner Mongolia from 2002 to 2021. Key findings include: (1) The research uncovers an overall improvement in ecological quality across Inner Mongolia, albeit with certain regions exhibiting a pattern of deterioration followed by improvement, particularly notable in the central part of the province. (2) Cropland, shrub, grassland, barren, wetland, and water are decreasing, while impervious, and forestland are increasing. (3) Precipitation, temperature, and elevation are significant drivers affecting the quality of the ecological environment. Interestingly, while human production and activities have altered ecological conditions, factors like GDP, population density, and night lighting index do not directly impact environmental quality significantly. This underscores the intricate interplay among various factors within the socioeconomic system, highlighting its complexity. (4) Based on these findings, our policy recommendations include strengthening ecological monitoring and management, promoting sustainable urban development, conducting public education and awareness campaigns, and fostering stakeholder collaboration for data sharing and collective understanding. Adopting sustainable management strategies is essential for promoting ecological resilience and mitigating environmental degradation in Inner Mongolia, not only benefiting the local ecosystem but also contributing to national and global environmental well-being.
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Open AccessArticle
Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Changes and Drivers of Urban Sprawl in Xinjiang Based on Integrated DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS Data
by
Luwei Wang, Wenzhe Xu, Xuan Xue, Haowei Wang, Zhi Li and Yang Wang
Land 2024, 13(5), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050567 - 23 Apr 2024
Abstract
The accelerated urbanization taking place across Xinjiang in recent years has vastly improved the quality of life for people living in the region. However, to achieve rational urban growth and sustainable regional development, a deeper understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns, spatial
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The accelerated urbanization taking place across Xinjiang in recent years has vastly improved the quality of life for people living in the region. However, to achieve rational urban growth and sustainable regional development, a deeper understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns, spatial morphology, and driving factors of urban sprawl is crucial. Nighttime light (NTL) data provide a novel approach for studying the spatial and temporal changes in urban expansion. In this study, based on DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS data, we analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of urban changes using the standard deviation ellipse and employ the geographical detector to analyze the impact of natural environmental and socioeconomic factors on the dynamic rate of urban expansion. The results reveal the following. (1) The overall accuracy of urban area extraction is above 80%, and the urban area of Xinjiang has expanded about 9.1 times over the past 30 years. Further, the growth rate from 2007 to 2017 exceeds the growth rate from 1992 to 1997, with the center of gravity of urban development shifting to the southwest. (2) The 5a sliding average temperature and average annual precipitation in the study area in 1992–2022 are 6.08 °C and 169.72 mm, respectively, showing a decrease in the urbanization rate followed by an increase, due to a rise in temperature and precipitation levels. (3) By combining the results of geographical detector factor detection and interaction detection, precipitation is determined to be the main controlling factor, while air temperature and GDP are secondary factors. This study presents new findings on the correlation between urban spatial and temporal changes and climate in Xinjiang, thus providing a scientific reference for future research on urban expansion and natural environment evolution.
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(This article belongs to the Section Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions)
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Land Cover Dynamics in the Northwestern Virunga Landscape: An Analysis of the Past Two Decades in a Dynamic Economic and Security Context
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Charles Mumbere Musavandalo, Kouagou Raoul Sambieni, Jean-Pierre Mate Mweru, Jean-François Bastin, Chantale Shalukoma Ndukura, Timothée Besisa Nguba, Julien Bwazani Balandi and Jan Bogaert
Land 2024, 13(5), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050566 - 23 Apr 2024
Abstract
The Beni region in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with socioeconomic development and security challenges that have affected its natural ecosystems, especially those located in the northern Virunga National Park. This study aims to document the anthropization of the northwestern
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The Beni region in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with socioeconomic development and security challenges that have affected its natural ecosystems, especially those located in the northern Virunga National Park. This study aims to document the anthropization of the northwestern Virunga landscape from 1995 to 2021 in the context of insecurity. Using a cartographic approach and ecological-landscape-analysis tools, this study delves into the overall landscape changes through a comparative analysis of protected and unprotected areas. These investigations focus on landscape composition, transitions between land-cover classes, and the spatial transformation process. The northwestern Virunga landscape is undergoing significant land cover changes due to the influence of insecurity on socioeconomic activities, primarily agriculture. Agricultural land encompasses a larger area than other land-cover types. However, its expansion has decelerated since the 2000s. The loss of forested area is discontinuous. During relatively stable periods (1995–2005), forests exhibited a reduction of up to 2.90% in area, while in the period of the return of Iturian refugees to their province, followed by terrorist insecurity in Beni (2005–2021), the forested area increased by 2.07%. Savannah areas, which are mainly located in the graben rift valley and near Butembo, have been more heavily affected by human activity than forests. Ultimately, the apparent stability of the landscape can be attributed to its protected areas, especially Virunga National Park.
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(This article belongs to the Section Landscape Ecology)
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A Study on the Spatio-Temporal Evolution Characteristics of Social Development Levels in China
by
Yanan Lian, Jie Fan and Chen Lu
Land 2024, 13(5), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050565 - 23 Apr 2024
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With the increase in regional economic development disparities, a regional coordinated development strategy is put forward that prioritizes human welfare and holistic social progress over a purely materialistic growth model. To address the challenges of balanced regional development, this paper has developed a
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With the increase in regional economic development disparities, a regional coordinated development strategy is put forward that prioritizes human welfare and holistic social progress over a purely materialistic growth model. To address the challenges of balanced regional development, this paper has developed a multidimensional assessment framework of social development encompassing education, healthcare, culture, and social security. Using the entropy weight TOPSIS method, this study measures the social development level across 296 Chinese prefecture-level cities from 1990 to 2020. It explores the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of China’s social development level through the Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition method and exploratory spatial data analysis. The results indicate that (1) the level of social development in China exhibits a fluctuating upward trend over the time series, showing a phase-wise pattern of decline–rise–rise; (2) there is a clear heterogeneity in the level of social development, with a general hierarchy of Eastern, Northeastern, Western, and Central regions in terms of social development; (3) spatially, China’s social development level has evolved from a patchy distribution in 1990 to a clustered distribution around urban agglomerations by 2020, with pronounced characteristics of spatial imbalance; (4) the level of social development in China displays varying degrees of spatial clustering, with this trend intensifying over time; and (5) over the period 1990–2020, the overall disparity in China’s social development level presents a fluctuating trend, with a notable reduction after an initial increase, and regional disparities following the order of Central, Western, Eastern, and Northeastern regions. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers and scholars seeking to understand and enhance China’s social development landscape.
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Using Importance–Performance Analysis to Reveal Priorities for Multifunctional Landscape Optimization in Urban Parks
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Xiaomin Xiao, Qiaoru Ye and Xiaobin Dong
Land 2024, 13(5), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050564 - 23 Apr 2024
Abstract
In the context of urban renewal, residents have presented elevated expectations for the quality of urban parks, necessitating the optimization of parks’ multifunctional landscapes. Transforming residents’ preferences for landscape services into a prioritized index for multifunctional landscape renewal poses a significant challenge. This
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In the context of urban renewal, residents have presented elevated expectations for the quality of urban parks, necessitating the optimization of parks’ multifunctional landscapes. Transforming residents’ preferences for landscape services into a prioritized index for multifunctional landscape renewal poses a significant challenge. This study addresses this research gap by integrating importance–performance analysis (IPA) with residents’ perception evaluations of landscape services. We establish an index system to evaluate perceptions of urban park landscape services. By employing the importance–performance analysis framework, we identify landscape service types that exhibit high importance but low satisfaction levels, thereby establishing priorities for multifunctional landscape renewal. Using Guangzhou’s urban parks as a case study, our findings reveal variations in users’ demands for different landscape services and differences in demand among various user groups for similar services. Users assign utmost importance to safety services while expressing the highest satisfaction with physical and mental health or microclimate regulation services. Significant disparities exist between middle-aged/elderly groups and young people regarding perceptions of social interaction, waste disposal, and sense of belonging services. Our results demonstrate that IPA analysis can elucidate priorities for multifunctional landscape renewal, facilitate public participation in improving urban park landscapes, and provide decision-making support for optimizing these landscapes.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Governance of Ecosystems Sustainability in a Multifunctional Landscape)
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Navigating Post-COVID-19 Social–Spatial Inequity: Unravelling the Nexus between Community Conditions, Social Perception, and Spatial Differentiation
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Minjun Zhao, Ning Liu, Jinliu Chen, Danqing Wang, Pengcheng Li, Di Yang and Pu Zhou
Land 2024, 13(4), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040563 - 22 Apr 2024
Abstract
The 2023 SDGs report underscores the prolonged disruption of COVID-19 on community living spaces, infrastructure, education, and income equality, exacerbating social and spatial inequality. Against the backdrop of the dual impact of significant events and the emergence of digital technologies, a coherent research
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The 2023 SDGs report underscores the prolonged disruption of COVID-19 on community living spaces, infrastructure, education, and income equality, exacerbating social and spatial inequality. Against the backdrop of the dual impact of significant events and the emergence of digital technologies, a coherent research trajectory is essential for characterizing social–spatial equity and understanding its influential factors within the urban planning discipline. While prior research emphasized spatial dimensions and mitigated spatial differentiation to ensure urban equity, the complexity of these interconnections necessitates a more comprehensive approach. This study adopts a holistic perspective, focusing on the “social–spatial” dynamics, utilizing social perception (sentiment maps) and spatial differentiation (housing prices index) pre- and post-pandemic to elucidate the interconnected and interactive nature of uneven development at the urban scale. It employs a multi-dimensional methodological framework integrating morphology analysis of housing conditions, GIS analysis of urban amenities, sentiment semantic analysis of public opinion, and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) analysis of correlation influential factors. Using Suzhou, China, as a pilot study, this research demonstrates how these integrated methods complement each other, exploring how community conditions and resource distribution collectively bolster resilience, thereby maintaining social–spatial equity amidst pandemic disruptions. The findings reveal that uneven resource distribution exacerbates post-pandemic social stratification and spatial differentiation. The proximity of well-maintained ecological environments, such as parks or scenic landmarks, generally exhibits consistency and positive effects on “social–spatial” measurement. Simultaneously, various spatial elements influencing housing prices and social perception show geographic heterogeneity, particularly in areas farther from the central regions of Xiangcheng and Wujiang districts. This study uncovers a bilateral mechanism between social perception and spatial differentiation, aiming to delve into the interdependent relationship between social–spatial equity and built environmental factors. Furthermore, it aspires to provide meaningful references and recommendations for urban planning and regeneration policy formulation in the digital era to sustain social–spatial equity.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Urban Planning, Design, and Management)
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Unveiling the Impact of Urbanization on Net Primary Productivity: Insights from the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration
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Jing Gao, Min Liu and Xiaoping Wang
Land 2024, 13(4), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040562 - 22 Apr 2024
Abstract
Urbanization has significantly altered the carbon cycle of the terrestrial environment, particularly in relation to net primary productivity (NPP). Gaining a more comprehensive comprehension of how NPP is affected by urbanization is crucial for obtaining fresh perspectives on sustainable urban landscape design and
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Urbanization has significantly altered the carbon cycle of the terrestrial environment, particularly in relation to net primary productivity (NPP). Gaining a more comprehensive comprehension of how NPP is affected by urbanization is crucial for obtaining fresh perspectives on sustainable urban landscape design and decision making. While there is a significant body of research examining the geographical and temporal patterns of NPP supply capacity, there are only a few studies that have investigated the spatial relationships between NPP and urbanization, particularly at the grid scale. This research investigated the temporal and geographical features and patterns of NPP and their impact mechanisms. In order to estimate NPP and the level of urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA), we used a combination of different models and datasets. To evaluate the geographical correlations and dependence between NPP and urbanization, we utilized local bivariate autocorrelation methods and spatial regression models to describe and visualize these relationships. The findings revealed that there was a consistent negative relationship between NPP and urbanization on a global scale from 1990 to 2020. However, when examining the local scale, the geographical correlations could be classified into four distinct categories: areas with both low NPP and low urbanization, areas with high NPP and high urbanization, areas with low NPP and high urbanization, and areas with high NPP and low urbanization. Our analysis showed that spatial regression models are more suitable for quantifying the spatial relationship between NPP and urbanization due to their ability to include the impacts of spatial Moran’s I techniques. Due to the growing urbanization, the highest NPP value was recorded in 2005, followed by 2000, 2020, and 2010. Conversely, the smallest association was observed in 2015. Examining the geographical connection between NPP and urbanization offers theoretical and practical insights for urban planning that prioritizes human needs and promotes sustainable development. It also aids in the development of reasonable methods for organizing ecological functional systems.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land-Based Greenhouse Gas Mitigation for Carbon Neutrality)
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Ecological Risk Assessment of Land Use Change in the Tarim River Basin, Xinjiang, China
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Yaqi Cheng, Xuyang Zhang and Wei Song
Land 2024, 13(4), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040561 - 22 Apr 2024
Abstract
In recent years, global climate change and human alterations to land use have led to a decrease in ecosystem services, making ecosystems more vulnerable. However, unlike the well-established risk assessment frameworks used in natural disaster research, the concept of ecological risks arising from
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In recent years, global climate change and human alterations to land use have led to a decrease in ecosystem services, making ecosystems more vulnerable. However, unlike the well-established risk assessment frameworks used in natural disaster research, the concept of ecological risks arising from changes in land use is still in its early stages, with its nuances and assessment methodologies yet to be clearly defined. This study proposes a new framework for assessing ecological risks resulting from changes in land use in the Tarim River Basin. The framework employs a coupled PLUS and Invest model to evaluate the ecological risks of land use change under three development scenarios projected for the Tarim River Basin in Xinjiang by 2035. The findings indicate that: (1) Between 2000 and 2020, the predominant land use types in the Tarim River Basin in Xinjiang were primarily unused land, followed by grassland and cropland. Conversely, grassland, water, and construction land were relatively less prevalent. During this period, the area of unused land and cultivated land increased, while grassland, forest land, and water exhibited a declining trend. Moving forward, under the three scenarios from 2020 to 2035, land use changes in the study area are characterized by the expansion of cropland and unused land, coupled with a significant decrease in grassland area, while other land categories demonstrate minor fluctuations. (2) From 2020 to 2035, across various scenarios, the total ecosystem service within the study area demonstrates an overall increasing trend in both the northern and southern marginal zones. Specifically, under the baseline scenario, the total amount of ecosystem services in the study area decreased by 15.247% compared to 2020. Similarly, under the economic development scenario, this decrease amounted to 13.358% compared to 2020. Conversely, under the ecological protection scenario, the decrease reached 19.852% compared to 2020. (3) The structure of ecological risk levels from 2020 to 2035, across multiple scenarios, demonstrates a consistent pattern, characterized by a predominant proportion of moderate risk. Conversely, other risk levels occupy relatively smaller proportions of the area.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecological Risk in Mountain Areas)
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Spatial Differentiation of Ecotourist Perceptions Based on the Random Forest Model: The Case of the Gansu Section of the Yellow River Basin
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Jing Yuan, Hang Gao, Yanlong Shen and Guoqiang Ma
Land 2024, 13(4), 560; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040560 - 22 Apr 2024
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Ecotourism is vital for coordinating regional ecological protection with socio-economic development. The Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin is a typical ecologically fragile area in China, and it holds a distinctive position in ecological protection and high-quality development. This study explores spatial
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Ecotourism is vital for coordinating regional ecological protection with socio-economic development. The Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin is a typical ecologically fragile area in China, and it holds a distinctive position in ecological protection and high-quality development. This study explores spatial differentiation in ecotourist perceptions and their distinct effects on ecotourist satisfaction, revisitation, and recommendation. It uses four cities (Gannan, Linxia, Lanzhou, and Baiyin) in the Gansu section of the Yellow River (mainstream) as examples, employing a questionnaire survey to collect ecotourists’ perception data and applying a random forest model and one-way ANOVA for analysis. It was found that: (1) rich ecotourism potential exists in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin as an ecologically fragile area; (2) there is spatial differentiation in ecotourist perceptions, and among the four regions, Baiyin stands out for its nature and atmosphere perception, and Lanzhou excels in accessibility and service perception; (3) spatial disparities exist in the influencing factors of ecotourist satisfaction, revisitation, and recommendation. Ecotourists in districts with unique natural resources, such as Gannan and Baiyin, prioritize nature perception, whereas districts with abundant natural resources and an established foundation for ecotourism development, such as Linxia and Lanzhou, emphasize service and atmosphere perception. This study constructs a new research framework to explore spatial variations in ecotourists’ perceptions, assisting ecotourism destinations to meet the needs of ecotourists from the supply side, and presents distinctive strategies and recommendations for the development of ecotourism in similar ecologically fragile areas.
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Open AccessArticle
Policies and Regulations for Desertification Prevention and Control in Mongolia
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Yuan You, Na Zhou and Yongdong Wang
Land 2024, 13(4), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040559 - 22 Apr 2024
Abstract
Desertification is a transnational, cross-regional, and global eco-environmental problem that seriously restricts sustainable socioeconomic development. As Mongolia is a typical arid and semi-arid region, the evolution of desertification in the country is closely related to major global issues such as climate change, global
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Desertification is a transnational, cross-regional, and global eco-environmental problem that seriously restricts sustainable socioeconomic development. As Mongolia is a typical arid and semi-arid region, the evolution of desertification in the country is closely related to major global issues such as climate change, global carbon cycling, and biodiversity. In this article, we analyze the background, development process, limitations, and other aspects of Mongolia’s desertification prevention and control policies and regulations and conclude that Mongolia needs to formulate a “Desertification Prevention and Control Law.” In particular, it needs to clarify the responsibility subjects, beneficiaries, interest compensation subjects, and illegal punishment subjects for prevention and control, as well as the responsibilities and obligations of relevant legal subjects. The research results show that it is important to form a solution mechanism in legal research on the joint prevention and control of desertification between Mongolia and China. We propose a concept of best future practice, highlighting the urgent need to establish a framework for the joint prevention and control of desertification via a cooperative mechanism between Mongolia and China and for the two countries to jointly promote global cooperation in combating this important environmental issue.
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(This article belongs to the Section Land Environmental and Policy Impact Assessment)
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Challenges and Institutional Barriers to Forest and Landscape Restoration in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh
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Oliver Tirtho Sarkar and Sharif A. Mukul
Land 2024, 13(4), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040558 - 22 Apr 2024
Abstract
Preventing, halting, and reversing ecosystem degradation is now a global priority, partly due to the declaration of the United Nations (UN) Decade on Ecosystem Restoration by the UN General Assembly 2021–2030 on 1 March 2019. Apart from the most recent global target to
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Preventing, halting, and reversing ecosystem degradation is now a global priority, partly due to the declaration of the United Nations (UN) Decade on Ecosystem Restoration by the UN General Assembly 2021–2030 on 1 March 2019. Apart from the most recent global target to protect 30% of the natural planet by 2030 as part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreed during COP15, there are several other global goals and targets. The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has also pledged to restore 0.75 million hectares of forests as part of the Bonn Challenge. The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh contain almost one-third of the country’s state-owned forests and are home to 12 ethnic communities, whose livelihoods are dependent on forests. Although once rich in biodiversity, the majority of the forests in the region are highly degraded due to faulty management, complex institutional arrangements, and land disputes with locals. The CHT, therefore, represent the most promising region for ecosystem restoration through forest and landscape restoration (FLR). Here, using the secondary literature, we examine the current institutional arrangements and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the CHT region and potential benefits and modalities to make FLR successful in the region. Based on our study, we suggest that institutional reform is essential for successful FLR in the CHT. We also discuss key interventions that are necessary to halt ecosystem degradation and to secure community participation in natural resources management in the region.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Institutions in Governance of Land Use: Mitigating Boom and Bust)
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Open AccessArticle
Multi-Scenario Land Use Optimization Simulation and Ecosystem Service Value Estimation Based on Fine-Scale Land Survey Data
by
Rui Shu, Zhanqi Wang, Na Guo, Ming Wei, Yebin Zou and Kun Hou
Land 2024, 13(4), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040557 - 22 Apr 2024
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Land optimization simulation and ecosystem service value (ESV) estimation can better serve land managers in decision-making. However, land survey data are seldom used in existing studies, and land optimization constraints fail to fully consider land planning control, and the optimization at the provincial
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Land optimization simulation and ecosystem service value (ESV) estimation can better serve land managers in decision-making. However, land survey data are seldom used in existing studies, and land optimization constraints fail to fully consider land planning control, and the optimization at the provincial scale is not fine enough, which leads to a disconnection between academic research and land management. We coupled ESV, gray multi-objective optimization (GMOP), and patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) models based on authoritative data on land management to project land use and ESV change under natural development (ND), rapid economic development (RED), ecological land protection (ELP), and sustainable development (SD) scenarios in 2030. The results show that construction land expanded dramatically (by 97.96% from 2000 to 2020), which encroached on grassland and cropland. This trend will continue in the BAU scenario. Construction land, woodland, and cropland are the main types of land used for expansion, while grassland and unused land, which lack strict use control, are the main land outflow categories. From 2000 to 2030, the total amount of ESV increases steadily and slightly. The spatial distribution of ESV is significantly aggregated and the agglomeration is increasing. The policy direction and land planning are important reasons for land use changes. The land use scenarios we set up can play an important role in preventing the uncontrolled expansion of construction land, mitigating the phenomenon of ecological construction, i.e., “governance while destruction”, and promoting food security. This study provides a new approach for provincial large-scale land optimization and ESV estimation based on land survey data and provides technical support for achieving sustainable land development.
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Open AccessArticle
Promoting Green Transformations through Smart Engagement: An Assessment of 100 Citizen-Led Urban Greening Projects
by
Eleni Oikonomaki, Ilektra Papadaki and Christina Kakderi
Land 2024, 13(4), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040556 - 22 Apr 2024
Abstract
In the face of challenges like heatwaves, flooding, other extreme events, as well as increasing pollution and declining quality of life in cities, there is a growing demand for the preservation and expansion of urban green spaces, often driven by citizen-led transformations. This
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In the face of challenges like heatwaves, flooding, other extreme events, as well as increasing pollution and declining quality of life in cities, there is a growing demand for the preservation and expansion of urban green spaces, often driven by citizen-led transformations. This paper examines 100 urban greening projects initiated or supported by citizens globally, categorizing them according to the type of greenery, the stakeholders involved, the mode of implementation, and the use of smart technologies incorporated. We notice variations in green endeavors based on the stakeholders orchestrating them; most of the entirely citizen-led initiatives being aimed at the creation of urban farms and food growing, demonstrating the pressing need to secure food and self-determination in communities. More than half of the assessed initiatives that managed to scale up and multiply had public authorities providing a framework or a type of support for their development or an NGO or other organization providing expertise and mobilizing citizens at various stages. In terms of technological use, we mostly found that websites and social media platforms ease participatory endeavors and knowledge sharing of best practices, accelerating scaling efforts, while there is low integration of more advanced digital technologies, which, if used, could enable real-time monitoring of green spaces, inform evidence-based decision-making, and streamline processes in scaling up green initiatives.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redefining Cities and Planning under the Twin Smart and Green Transition)
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Validation of Remotely Sensed Land Surface Temperature at Lake Baikal’s Surroundings Using In Situ Observations
by
Egor Dyukarev, Nadezhda Voropay, Oksana Vasilenko and Elena Rasputina
Land 2024, 13(4), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040555 - 21 Apr 2024
Abstract
The accuracy of Land Surface Temperature (LST) products retrieved from satellite data in mountainous-coastal areas is not well understood. This study presents an analysis of the spatial and temporal variability of the differences between the LST and in situ observed air and surface
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The accuracy of Land Surface Temperature (LST) products retrieved from satellite data in mountainous-coastal areas is not well understood. This study presents an analysis of the spatial and temporal variability of the differences between the LST and in situ observed air and surface temperatures (ISTs) for the southeastern slope of Lake Baikal’s surroundings. The IST was measured at 12 ground observation sites located on the southeastern macro-slope of the Primorskiy Ridge (Baikal, Russia) within an elevation range of 460–1656 m above sea level from 2009 to 2021. LST was estimated using 617 Landsat (7 and 8) images from 2009–2021, taking into account brightness temperature, surface emissivity and vegetation cover fraction. The comparison of the LST from satellite data and the IST from ground observation showed relatively high differences, which varied depending on the season and site type. A neural network was suggested and calibrated to improve the LST data. The corrected remote-sensed temperature was found to reproduce the IST very well, with mean differences of about 0.03 °C and linear correlation coefficients of 0.98 and 0.95 for the air and surface IST.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Mapping for Ecological Land)
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How to Realize Synergistic Emission Reduction in Future Urban Agglomerations: Spatial Planning Approaches to Reducing Carbon Emissions from Land Use: A Case Study of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region
by
Haoran Li, Yang Liu, Yixiao Li, Xiaoxi Li, Shuyi Yan and Xi Zheng
Land 2024, 13(4), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040554 - 21 Apr 2024
Abstract
Land use changes in rapidly urbanizing regions around the world constitute a principal anthropogenic element fueling the surge in carbon emissions. Here, land use patterns within the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration under low-carbon development (LCD) scenarios were simulated. Additionally, social network analysis was
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Land use changes in rapidly urbanizing regions around the world constitute a principal anthropogenic element fueling the surge in carbon emissions. Here, land use patterns within the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration under low-carbon development (LCD) scenarios were simulated. Additionally, social network analysis was employed to formulate carbon balance planning guidelines for various administrative regions. (1) In the ecological protection scenario, carbon emissions from land use were 643.42 × 104 tons lower compared to the natural development scenario. Counties with high ecological support coefficients accounted for 22%, making them better suited for predicting outcomes related to low-carbon-oriented land use. (2) The spatial connections of carbon emissions in BTH were closely related, forming the three main carbon emission spatial linkage areas. (3) A carbon balance zoning plan for the BTH in 2035 under the LCD scenario was formulated. Furthermore, key areas for the implementation of carbon peak and carbon neutrality projects were delineated, and targeted measures for carbon reduction and sink increase were proposed. This study provides a new perspective for implementing territorial spatial planning in Chinese urban agglomerations and can aid the government in formulating a reasonable low-carbon-oriented regional planning policy.
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(This article belongs to the Section Land Planning and Landscape Architecture)
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