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
Urban Echoes: Exploring the Dynamic Realities of Cities through Digital Twins
Land 2024, 13(5), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050635 (registering DOI) - 08 May 2024
Abstract
Digital twins (DTs) are highly valuable tools for urban planning as they provide a virtual replica of the physical city, integrating real-time data and simulations to enhance the decision-making and management processes. The use of DTs expands the possibilities for data integration and
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Digital twins (DTs) are highly valuable tools for urban planning as they provide a virtual replica of the physical city, integrating real-time data and simulations to enhance the decision-making and management processes. The use of DTs expands the possibilities for data integration and visualization in urban contexts. This includes real-time data measurements from multiple sources, such as sensors and IoT devices, facilitating comprehensive insights. DT’s virtual representation helps authorities and planners visualize urban dynamics and improve their understanding of urban ecosystems, energy efficiency, traffic management, emergency response, and more. DT supports the simulation and modeling of different scenarios in an urban built environment, enabling the predictive analysis of transformation decisions and the anticipation of future trends and challenges. This paper highlights the assumptions and ongoing progress in the development of a DT for the city of Turin (Italy), focusing on a range of applications, such as the extraction of built and natural environment features, land use data, road network and pavement quality, and signage, along with continuous model updates over time.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Urbanisation Dynamics Research Ⅱ)
Open AccessArticle
Spatiotemporal Pattern and Spatial Convergence of Land Use Carbon Emission Efficiency in the Pan-Pearl River Delta: Based on the Difference in Land Use Carbon Budget
by
Zhenggen Fan, Wentong Xia, Hu Yu, Ji Liu and Binghua Liu
Land 2024, 13(5), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050634 (registering DOI) - 08 May 2024
Abstract
Research on land use carbon emission efficiency (LUCEE) in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) can aid in formulating regional differentiated carbon reduction strategies. In this work, the inversion of carbon emissions using night-time light (NTL) data and the modified Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach
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Research on land use carbon emission efficiency (LUCEE) in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) can aid in formulating regional differentiated carbon reduction strategies. In this work, the inversion of carbon emissions using night-time light (NTL) data and the modified Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) model were used to measure the net carbon emissions from land use (NCELU). On this basis, the SBM-undesirable model was used to assess the LUCEE. Additionally, the exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), Dagum Gini coefficient, and spatial convergence model were further introduced to analyze the spatial correlation, regional differences, and convergence trend of the LUCEE. Findings indicate that: (1) The NCELU showed an increasing fluctuation. During the period of 2006–2020, the NCELU increased from −168.58 million tons to −724.65 million tons. (2) The LUCEE exhibited a three-phase fluctuating downward trend of “decrease–rise–decrease”. The LUCEE first decreased from 0.612 in 2006 to 0.544 in 2008, then gradually increased to 0.632 in 2016, and finally decreased to 0.488 in 2020. Spatially, the LUCEE manifested a distribution characteristic of “high in the north and south, low in the middle”, with distinct spatial clustering features. (3) The overall Gini coefficient in the study period increased from 0.1819 to 0.2461. The primary contributor to the overall difference over the entire sample period was hypervariable density. (4) The PPRD and its various subregions displayed significant features of absolute and conditional β convergence. The speed of regional convergence from fastest to slowest was central > west > east, with the absolute convergence speeds of 0.0505, 0.0360, and 0.0212, respectively. Finally, policy recommendations are proposed to achieve regional carbon neutrality for the PPRD.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Land Use Change, Carbon, and Markets)
Open AccessArticle
Feasibility of Using SWIR-Transformed Reflectance (STR) in Place of Surface Temperature (Ts) for the Mapping of Irrigated Landcover
by
Mohammad Abuzar, Kathryn Sheffield and Andy McAllister
Land 2024, 13(5), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050633 (registering DOI) - 08 May 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: A simple approach to map irrigated landcover has been introduced by using measures derived from the optical spectral range as an alternative to the thermal range. It has been demonstrated that substituting surface temperature (Ts, ‘thermal approach’) with SWIR-transformed reflectance (STR,
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(1) Background: A simple approach to map irrigated landcover has been introduced by using measures derived from the optical spectral range as an alternative to the thermal range. It has been demonstrated that substituting surface temperature (Ts, ‘thermal approach’) with SWIR-transformed reflectance (STR, ‘optical approach’) to detect surface moisture is feasible with comparable results. (2) Methods: Using an iterative thresholding procedure to minimize within-class variance, the bilevel segmentation of variables derived from Landsat-8 representing surface moisture and vegetation cover was achieved for the 2020–2021 summer for a key irrigation district in Australia. (3) Results: The results of irrigated landcover by the optical approach were found to be comparable with those obtained by the thermal approach. The classification accuracy was assessed using water delivery records at the farm level. Although the overall accuracy was high in both cases, the optical approach (97.6%) performed slightly better than the thermal approach (93.9%). (4) Conclusions: The feasibility of using STR to map irrigated landcover has been confirmed by a high-level overall accuracy assessment. This has broader implications in terms of irrigated landcover assessment, as the use of satellite imagery in these applications may not necessarily be limited to microwave or thermal sensors.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Land Use and Land Cover Mapping)
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Open AccessArticle
Climate Warming Benefits Plant Growth but Not Net Carbon Uptake: Simulation of Alaska Tundra and Needle Leaf Forest Using LPJ-GUESS
by
Cui Liu, Chuanhua Li and Liangliang Li
Land 2024, 13(5), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050632 (registering DOI) - 08 May 2024
Abstract
Climate warming significantly impacts Arctic vegetation, yet its future role as a carbon sink or source is unclear. We analyzed vegetation growth and carbon exchange in Alaska’s tundra and needle leaf forests using the LPJ-GUESS model. The accuracy of the model is verified
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Climate warming significantly impacts Arctic vegetation, yet its future role as a carbon sink or source is unclear. We analyzed vegetation growth and carbon exchange in Alaska’s tundra and needle leaf forests using the LPJ-GUESS model. The accuracy of the model is verified using linear regression of the measured data from 2004 to 2008, and the results are significantly correlated, which proves that the model is reliable, with R2 values of 0.51 and 0.46, respectively, for net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE) at the tundra and needle leaf forest sites, and RMSE values of 22.85 and 23.40 gC/m2/yr for the tundra and needle forest sites, respectively. For the gross primary production (GPP), the R2 values were 0.66 and 0.85, and the RMSE values were 39.25 and 43.75 gC/m2/yr at the tundra and needle leaf forest sites, respectively. We simulated vegetation carbon exchanges for 1992–2014 and projected future exchanges for 2020–2100 using climate variables. Under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, GPP values increase with higher emissions, while the NEE showed great fluctuations without significant differences among the three pathways. Our results showed although climate warming can benefit vegetation growth, net carbon assimilation by vegetation may not increase accordingly in the future.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, 3rd Volume)
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Open AccessArticle
Impacts of Streetscape Features on Individual Social Capital: Applying Korea’s Neighborhood Data to Street View Images to Improve Lives of the Socially Vulnerable
by
Sunmin Kim, Junehyung Jeon, Youngre Noh and Ayoung Woo
Land 2024, 13(5), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050631 (registering DOI) - 08 May 2024
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Neighborhood social vulnerability is a dimension of vulnerability that influences society’s response to external factors, encompassing various social factors tied to socioeconomic and demographic attributes at the neighborhood level. While previous studies have explored the associations between vulnerable neighborhoods and stressors like environmental
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Neighborhood social vulnerability is a dimension of vulnerability that influences society’s response to external factors, encompassing various social factors tied to socioeconomic and demographic attributes at the neighborhood level. While previous studies have explored the associations between vulnerable neighborhoods and stressors like environmental hazards, understanding of their impact on residents’ social capital remains limited. Moreover, the role of built environments in mitigating these effects is uncertain. This study investigates the impact of neighborhood social vulnerability, alongside streetscape features, on individual social capital in Seoul, South Korea. Using a stratified random sampling method, we surveyed 1000 Seoul residents, assessing their social capital and demographics. In particular, six questionnaires based on a four-point Likert scale were used to measure the individual level of social capital: two questions for social networks, three questions for social participation, and one question for sense of community. Additionally, we employed a deep learning-based model to analyze Google Street View images for detailed streetscape features. Our analysis, utilizing multiple and ordinal logistic regression models, reveals that walkable environments and neighborhood prosperity, indicated by factors like income, education, and street greenery, are linked to higher social capital. Moreover, less urbanized areas with lower land prices and greater openness to the sky also show positive associations. These findings underscore the potential of improving streetscape features to mitigate the negative impacts of neighborhood vulnerability, particularly in neighborhoods where low-income and less-educated residents are concentrated, offering insights for urban planners and community leaders.
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Open AccessArticle
Transformative Impact of Technology in Landscape Architecture on Landscape Research: Trends, Concepts and Roles
by
Xiwei Shen, Mary G. Padua and Niall G. Kirkwood
Land 2024, 13(5), 630; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050630 (registering DOI) - 08 May 2024
Abstract
The role of technology in landscape architecture (TLA) has significantly evolved since the 19th century, increasingly integrating with digital tools and technologies in the 21st century. Despite its growing importance, there is a notable deficiency in the scholarly literature regarding the progression of
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The role of technology in landscape architecture (TLA) has significantly evolved since the 19th century, increasingly integrating with digital tools and technologies in the 21st century. Despite its growing importance, there is a notable deficiency in the scholarly literature regarding the progression of TLA trends and their interplay with the core domains and research themes within landscape research. The influence of TLA on landscape research remains ambiguous, especially concerning its ability to generate new knowledge and impact design and sustainability practices. Furthermore, there is a critical need to delineate how TLA differs from allied general digital technology tools and to identify specific specializations that are emerging within the TLA field. To explore the above gaps, this study utilized a mixed methods approach involving secondary data from peer-reviewed publications, primary data from the archival research of winning projects, and expert interviews based on the two major research types of “Research through Design (RTD)” and “Research for Design (RFD)” to explore the TLA’s contribution. This research is significant as it: (1) identified the trend of TLA; (2) conceptualized the TLA, and (3) identified its role in relation to the core domains and research themes of landscape research.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Design, Evaluation and Management Created by Novel Technologies)
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Open AccessArticle
Theme Exploration and Sentiment Analysis of Online Reviews of Wuyishan National Park
by
Wei Fu and Bin Zhou
Land 2024, 13(5), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050629 - 07 May 2024
Abstract
The study aimed to explore the relationship and interaction between humans and nature in specific areas. Latent Dirichlet allocation topic recognition and SnowNLP sentiment analysis were used to extract the topics and analyze the sentiments from visitors’ online reviews of Wuyishan National Park.
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The study aimed to explore the relationship and interaction between humans and nature in specific areas. Latent Dirichlet allocation topic recognition and SnowNLP sentiment analysis were used to extract the topics and analyze the sentiments from visitors’ online reviews of Wuyishan National Park. The conclusions were as follows: (1) The tourists mainly expressed positive emotions toward Wuyishan National Park, and the tourists acknowledged its ecological environment and natural and cultural heritage value. (2) The tourists’ comments focused on four themes: tourism activities and facilities, natural and cultural heritage value, characteristic tourism products, and tourism management and services. Natural experience was the main tourism activity in Wuyishan National Park, while cultural activities were related to the tea culture. (3) The tourist facilities, ticket and reservation mechanism, and management and services of Wuyishan National Park were the main concerns of the tourists. The study suggested that Wuyishan National Park could be transformed from a tourist destination into a comprehensive national park that provides recreational experiences and environmental education. This should be conducted by (1) developing detailed natural and cultural education and experience products and (2) improving public service functions and enhancing the public welfare of the national park.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Utilization of National Parks’ Natural Resources and Community Livelihood)
Open AccessArticle
Analysis of Peatland Research Trends Based on BERTopic
by
A-Ram Yang, Jeongyeon Chae and Eunho Choi
Land 2024, 13(5), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050628 - 07 May 2024
Abstract
Peatlands comprise approximately 3% of the land area worldwide. Peatland exists in most countries, including tropical, subtropical, and boreal regions. Accordingly, peatland has garnered increased research attention as a potential countermeasure against climate change. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and comprise the
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Peatlands comprise approximately 3% of the land area worldwide. Peatland exists in most countries, including tropical, subtropical, and boreal regions. Accordingly, peatland has garnered increased research attention as a potential countermeasure against climate change. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and comprise the topics constituting global peatland research. In this study, we applied BERTopic—a topic modeling technique—to analyze relatedness between research topics to classify global peatland research trends, evaluate changes over time, and analyze the relationships between topics. To this end, we searched the keyword “peatland” on ScienceDirect—a global academic publication data platform—and collected the titles and abstracts from 10,158 publications from 1953 to 2022 for dynamic topic modeling and network analysis. Eighty-two peatland research topics were identified, which were combined into 15 main topics. Over time, an increasing trend was observed in topics related to production, management, and fire. In addition, upon analysis of the relationships between topics, three groups centered on fire, peatland value, and carbon were identified. We anticipate that the findings of this study can be expanded to analyze trends in research related to fires in peatlands, regional characteristics of peat soil, prediction of greenhouse gases emission and mitigation due to peatland fires, and prediction of future peatland research topics.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoration of Tropical Peatlands: Science Policy and Practice)
Open AccessArticle
Soil and Vegetation Characteristics of Grassland have a Greater Influence on the Abundance and Diversity of Earthworms than the Mowing Intensity in a Managed Nature Reserve
by
Günther Kerschbaumer, Gerhard Karrer, Edith Gruber and Johann G. Zaller
Land 2024, 13(5), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050627 - 07 May 2024
Abstract
Effects of mowing on vegetation parameters have been well studied. However, less is known about mowing effects on soil fauna and if soil properties alter this. We investigated earthworm communities in a long-term experiment 14 years after its establishment in 5 dry, fresh
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Effects of mowing on vegetation parameters have been well studied. However, less is known about mowing effects on soil fauna and if soil properties alter this. We investigated earthworm communities in a long-term experiment 14 years after its establishment in 5 dry, fresh and moist grassland plots located in the Natura 2000 site Lainzer Tiergarten near Vienna, Austria (238–402 m a.s.l., 48°10′ N, 16°12′ E). The grasslands were either mowed once a year or every second year, or not mowed since being established. Earthworms were assessed using the non-destructive octet electro-shocking method. Additionally, vegetation composition, soil conductivity, temperature and moisture were assessed. We found 13 earthworm species across all treatments, although their abundance was generally low with 6.1 ± 4.7 worms m−2. The total earthworm abundance and species diversity was higher in dry compared to fresh and moist grasslands but was not affected by mowing frequency. Endogeic earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea) and epigeics (Lumbricus rubellus) were more tolerant to mowing than anecics (Lumbricus terrestris, Allolobophora longa). Since plant species richness was highest in annually mown grasslands and earthworm species richness was positively related to plant species numbers, we recommend regular, low-input management to promote above- and belowground biodiversity in these grasslands.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Disturbances and Soil Properties)
Open AccessArticle
Assessing Inequality in Urban Green Spaces with Consideration for Physical Activity Promotion: Utilizing Spatial Analysis Techniques Supported by Multisource Data
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Yunjing Hou, Yiming Liu, Yuxin Wu and Lei Wang
Land 2024, 13(5), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050626 - 07 May 2024
Abstract
Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a significant role in promoting public health by facilitating outdoor activities, but issues of spatial and socioeconomic inequality within UGSs have drawn increasing attention. However, current methods for assessing UGS inequality still face challenges such as data acquisition
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Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a significant role in promoting public health by facilitating outdoor activities, but issues of spatial and socioeconomic inequality within UGSs have drawn increasing attention. However, current methods for assessing UGS inequality still face challenges such as data acquisition difficulties and low identification accuracy. Taking Harbin as a case study, this research employs various advanced technologies, including Python data scraping, drone imagery collection, and Amap API, to gather a diverse range of data on UGSs, including photos, high-resolution images, and AOI boundaries. Firstly, elements related to physical activity within UGSs are integrated into a supply adjustment index (SAI), based on which UGSs are classified into three categories. Then, a supply–demand improved two-step floating catchment area (SD2SFCA) method is employed to more accurately measure the accessibility of these three types of UGSs. Finally, using multiple linear regression analysis and Mann–Whitney U tests, socioeconomic inequalities in UGS accessibility are explored. The results indicate that (1) significant differentiation exists in the types of UGS services available in various urban areas, with a severe lack of small-scale, low-supply UGSs; (2) accessibility of all types of UGSs is significantly positively associated with housing prices, with higher-priced areas demonstrating notably higher accessibility compared to lower-priced ones; (3) children may be at a disadvantage in accessing UGSs with medium-supply levels. Future planning efforts need to enhance attention to vulnerable groups. This study underscores the importance of considering different types of UGSs in inequality assessments and proposes a method that could serve as a valuable tool for accurately assessing UGS inequality.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Design, Evaluation and Management Created by Novel Technologies)
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Tillage and Straw Management Practices Influences Soil Nutrient Distribution: A Case Study from North-Eastern Romania
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Anca Elena Calistru, Feodor Filipov, Irina Gabriela Cara, Marius Cioboată, Denis Țopa and Gerard Jităreanu
Land 2024, 13(5), 625; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050625 - 07 May 2024
Abstract
Tillage practices govern crop quality and quantity through soil nutrient availability and crop root systems. A deeper knowledge of the impact of conservation tillage on soil chemical characteristics (such as pH, soil organic carbon, macro and micronutrient storage and distribution) is required for
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Tillage practices govern crop quality and quantity through soil nutrient availability and crop root systems. A deeper knowledge of the impact of conservation tillage on soil chemical characteristics (such as pH, soil organic carbon, macro and micronutrient storage and distribution) is required for both the promotion of agricultural sustainability and environmental preservation. This study assesses the changes in soil features and properties in the context of a long-field experiment with different tillage systems and straw management practices. Research findings revealed that compared with conventional tillage (CT) conservative tillage with partial straw retention (MT) and no-tillage with straw mulching (NT) substantially boosted the organic carbon (OC) (by 6–19%), total nitrogen (TN) (by 2–12%), and available potassium content (AK) (by 2–5%), in 0–30 cm soil depth. However, the stratification trend was observed for available macro and micronutrient content (Zn, Fe, Mn) in both conservative management practices. The concentration of Cu indicates a constant pattern through a 0–30 cm soil profile with a higher concentration under MT (1.41 mg kg−1) compared to NT (1.10 mg kg−1). In particular, the results failed to establish if conservation tillage can increase the total phosphorus (TP) and potassium content (TK), where only in surface 0–10 cm an increase was observed. This research also suggested that the X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) of total micronutrient content (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn) is minimal or unpredictable with no substantial differences between the tillage systems and straw return management practices. These findings suggest that conservation tillage in north-eastern Romania might be optimal to maintain soil quality status and sustain high yields.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Management for Soil Health)
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Spatial-Temporal Heterogeneity and Decoupling Mechanism of Resource Curse, Environmental Regulation and Resource Industry Transformation in Post-Development Areas: Evidence from Inner Mongolia, China
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Mingkai Liu, Hongyan Zhang, Changxin Liu and Xiaoju Gong
Land 2024, 13(5), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050624 - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Resource curse and environmental regulation are the key bottlenecks that hinder the sustainable development of the resource industry. A reasonable assessment of the decoupling relationship between resource supply, environment regulation and resource industry transformation is helpful to promote the decision-making of industrial restructuring
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Resource curse and environmental regulation are the key bottlenecks that hinder the sustainable development of the resource industry. A reasonable assessment of the decoupling relationship between resource supply, environment regulation and resource industry transformation is helpful to promote the decision-making of industrial restructuring in post-development regions. Taking Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China as the research object, panel data related to resources, environment and industry from 2010 to 2021 are selected to evaluate the spatial and temporal evolution of regional resource supply security, environmental regulatory pressure and resource industry transformation efficiency, measure the decoupling index among the factors, and use geographic detector technology to identify the constraints affecting factor decoupling. The results show the following: (1) the resource curse effect of Inner Mongolia is not significant, and some resource industries have prominent advantages; (2) the security of resource supply and the transformation efficiency of the resource industry show overall upward trend, the pressure of environmental regulation is basically balanced, and the development level of factors in resource-endowed regions and central cities is relatively high; (3) the spatial and temporal evolution of the decoupling relationship between resource supply, environmental regulation and resource industry transformation is uncertain, and the resilience of regional economic and social governance is poor; (4) resource endowment and resource industry advantages are the key that restricts the decoupling of factors, and the cumulative effect of ecological governance is likely to lead to the randomness of the decoupling of environmental regulation and resource industry transformation. In addition, this study suggests that the post-development areas should pay attention to the classification of resource industry relief, trans-regional economic and social collaborative governance and special resources exploitation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Environmental and Policy Impact Assessment)
Open AccessArticle
Driving Mechanisms of Spatial Differentiation in Ecosystem Service Value in Opencast Coal Mines in Arid Areas: A Case Study in the Zhundong Economic and Technological Development Zone
by
Adila Akbar, Abudukeyimu Abulizi, Reyilan Erken and Tingting Yu
Land 2024, 13(5), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050623 - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The valuation of ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for preserving ecosystems, assessing natural resources, and making decisions regarding compensation. In this study, we employed the InVEST model’s habitat quality (HQ) module to calculate the HQ and degradation levels in the study area using
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The valuation of ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for preserving ecosystems, assessing natural resources, and making decisions regarding compensation. In this study, we employed the InVEST model’s habitat quality (HQ) module to calculate the HQ and degradation levels in the study area using land use/land cover (LULC) data from 2000 to 2020. Our analysis utilized quantitative methods, including spatial correlation, hotspot analysis, and geo-probing, to determine the value of ESs and identify trends. Furthermore, we examined the spatial and temporal variation in the significance of ESs and their driving factors. The results show the following. (1) The primary LULC types in the Zhundong coalfield from 2000 to 2020 are grassland and barren areas. (2) The average value of the HQ index in the study area exhibited a generally decreasing trend. Between 2000 and 2010, HQ significantly declined, particularly in the region’s large barren industrial and mining zones. However, over time, the proportion of sites with minimal degradation improved steadily, resulting in better overall HQ in the study area by 2020. This pertains to the measures put in place by the local government to safeguard and rehabilitate the ecosystem. (3) The spatial distribution of the ecosystem service value (ESV) aligns with changes in HQ and LULC, with significant hotspots primarily observed in forest and grassland areas, nature reserves, and areas around water sources. (4) LULC, temperature, annual precipitation, and elevation are the main drivers of spatial variation in the ESV in the Zhundong area; the spatial variation in the ESV in the Zhundong coalfield is primarily influenced by the interaction between human factors and natural factors, in which LULC plays a dominant role. This study’s findings can guide the development of rational ecological planning, integrating resource conservation mining with effective zoning management.
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Open AccessArticle
Spatial Spillover Effects of Urbanization on Ecosystem Services under Altitude Gradient
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Xueliang Yang, Kaiping Wang and Yunlu Zhang
Land 2024, 13(5), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050622 - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Rapid urbanization has made mountain development an important means to alleviate the shortages of construction land on plains, which has significantly affected regional ecosystem services. In-depth research on the impact of urbanization on ecosystem services under altitude gradients is of great significance to
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Rapid urbanization has made mountain development an important means to alleviate the shortages of construction land on plains, which has significantly affected regional ecosystem services. In-depth research on the impact of urbanization on ecosystem services under altitude gradients is of great significance to clarify the relationship between the two. Based on data from 2000, 2010 and 2020, the urbanization level and ecosystem services of the study area were evaluated. The spatial correlation of ecosystem services was analyzed by Moran’s I. A spatial Durbin model (SDM) was selected to fit the regression. The results show that (1) from 2000 to 2020, the ecosystem services in the study area displayed obvious regional characteristics and aggregation characteristics; (2) in plain areas, the indirect effects of economic, population and land urbanization have a greater negative impact, and compared with shallow mountain areas, deep mountain areas are more negatively affected by economic urbanization and land urbanization; and (3) the significant difference in regression results reflects the rationality of using the spatial Durbin model, as in this paper, and proves the scientific nature of regional coordinated development. The research results provide a reference for the future coordinated development of regional economies and environments.
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Open AccessArticle
Unlocking Economic Resilience: A New Methodological Approach and Empirical Examination under Digital Transformation
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Chenchen Shi and Jinjing Lu
Land 2024, 13(5), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050621 - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Economic resilience is crucial for urban sustainability as it ensures stability and growth in the face of external shocks, promotes social cohesion and inclusivity, fosters environmental sustainability, and enhances cities’ adaptability to future challenges. This study expands the conventional perspective on economic resilience
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Economic resilience is crucial for urban sustainability as it ensures stability and growth in the face of external shocks, promotes social cohesion and inclusivity, fosters environmental sustainability, and enhances cities’ adaptability to future challenges. This study expands the conventional perspective on economic resilience beyond the context of shocks, focusing on the inherent resilience of regional economic systems. A novel method for quantifying economic resilience is introduced, emphasizing system sensitivity and adaptability. Using Chinese prefecture-level city data and an econometric model, we empirically examine how Fintech, a major digital transition in current urban systems, affects economic resilience. The findings reveal that Fintech has a substantial positive effect on economic resilience, primarily through the upgrading of industrial structures and technological innovation. Furthermore, there is significant regional heterogeneity in the impact of Fintech on economic resilience, with more pronounced contributions in the east, central, and western regions of China, as opposed to the northeast. Additionally, the impact of Fintech on economic resilience is more substantial in large-scale cities. The promotion of economic resilience through digital transformation serves as a potent risk prevention measure. Understanding the role of economic resilience in urban systems holds valuable implications for countries worldwide.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Transitions and Dynamics: Cultural, Ecological, Digital and Degrowth)
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Open AccessArticle
Interpreting Different Narratives about Land Services and Land Use Economics of Common Agricultural Policy
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Jana Poláková, Jaroslav Humpál, Adam Svoboda and Josef Soukup
Land 2024, 13(5), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050620 - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Since 2023, a new format of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been implemented in Europe. Market forces alone cannot guarantee land services, which can be described as flows of goods and services from ecosystems to human systems as functions of nature. Market
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Since 2023, a new format of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been implemented in Europe. Market forces alone cannot guarantee land services, which can be described as flows of goods and services from ecosystems to human systems as functions of nature. Market forces also cannot ensure food security everywhere and at all times, so deliberate measures should incentivize farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and maintain necessary skills and resources. This study identifies, quantifies, and interprets four narratives that are typical in the approach to food security and the public debate about the land services in the CAP Strategic Plans: (A) provision of land services within the Pillar 1 economics; (B) small vs. large farms; (C) direct payments in comparison with rural development; and (D) choices by the old and new member states. Participatory processes, descriptive statistics, and partial component analysis were used in terms of the methodology. The key finding is that the importance attached to eco-schemes varies among member states, although a majority dedicate approximately 25% of the Pillar 1 budget to them. We showed that small-scale farming countries move resources from Pillar 2 to strengthen direct payments. In contrast, affluent countries with robust agricultural structures can afford to reinforce Pillar 2 rural development through transfers from direct payments. To support small-scale and medium farms, appropriate support requires a combination of several measures, including the sizable hectare payment in Pillar 1 and farmer-oriented agri-environmental measures.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Research Approaches & Practices Towards Sustainable Land Management, Preservation & Restoration (Second Edition))
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Open AccessArticle
Growing in Scarcity: Pre-Hispanic Rain-Fed Agriculture in the Semi-Arid and Frost-Prone Andean Altiplano (Bolivia)
by
Pablo Cruz, Richard Joffre, Thibault Saintenoy and Jean-Joinville Vacher
Land 2024, 13(5), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050619 - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Ancient Andean agricultural landscapes have been the subject of a large number of archaeological and agro-ecological studies, which generally refer to regions with favourable environmental conditions or, in the case of arid and semi-arid environments, those with irrigation facilities. The aim of this
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Ancient Andean agricultural landscapes have been the subject of a large number of archaeological and agro-ecological studies, which generally refer to regions with favourable environmental conditions or, in the case of arid and semi-arid environments, those with irrigation facilities. The aim of this article is to present and analyse the pre-Hispanic rain-fed farming systems widely represented in two adjacent regions of Bolivia’s arid and cold southern Altiplano. The search for archaeological agricultural areas combined aerial analysis and field surveys. Agro-ecological characterisation was based on historical and ethnographic studies of the region’s present-day populations. Despite their geographical proximity, similar environmental conditions, and same agropastoral way of life, the typology of cultivated areas developed in the southern altiplano differs significantly. Within this same framework of adaptation and resilience, the sectorisation of agricultural systems observed in these two regions reveals a regional productive specialisation that favoured internal exchanges and exchanges with other regions. These differences are related to two models of non-centralised, low-inequality societies—one strongly based on cohesion and the other characterised by greater fragmentation and social conflict—underlining the limits of strict environmental determinism in shaping agricultural landscapes. These results provide new food for thought in the debate on the use and value of rain-fed agricultural practices and more broadly on the diversity of adaptations by human societies in extreme and unstable environmental contexts.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current and Future Trends of Socio-Economic Values in Terrestrial Ecosystem Services)
Open AccessArticle
Tracking Land-use Trajectory and Other Potential Drivers to Uncover the Dynamics of Carbon Stocks of Terrestrial Ecosystem in the Songnen Plain
by
Lei Chang, Han Luo, Huijia Liu, Wenxin Xu, Lixin Zhang and Yuefen Li
Land 2024, 13(5), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050618 - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Land-use change is an important factor affecting terrestrial carbon balance, and it is crucial to explore the response of terrestrial carbon stocks to land-use change, especially in the Songnen Plain, which faces a fierce conflict between the rapid growth of production activities and
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Land-use change is an important factor affecting terrestrial carbon balance, and it is crucial to explore the response of terrestrial carbon stocks to land-use change, especially in the Songnen Plain, which faces a fierce conflict between the rapid growth of production activities and ecosystem degradation. In this study, we measured soil organic carbon and vegetation biocarbon stocks in the Songnen Plain based on IPCC-recommended methodologies, and explored the characteristics of carbon stock changes in land-use trajectories, land-use drivers, and specific land-use change scenarios (cropland cultivation, returning cropland to forests, the expansion of land for construction, deforestation, greening, and land degradation). The results showed that soil organic carbon stock in the Songnen Plain decreased by 1.63 × 105 t, and vegetation biocarbon stock increased by 2.10 × 107 t from 2005 to 2020. Human factors and natural factors jointly contributed to the land-use change, but the extent of the role of human factors was greater than that of natural factors. The increase in land-use trajectory led to the decrease in soil organic carbon stock and the increase in vegetation biocarbon stock. There was no difference in the effects of human-induced and natural-induced land-use changes on vegetation biocarbon stocks, but the effects on soil organic carbon stocks were diametrically opposite, increasing by 43.27 t/km2 and decreasing by 182.02 t/km2, respectively. The reclamation of arable land, returning cropland to forests, and greening led to a net increase in terrestrial carbon stocks (+813,291.84 t), whereas land degradation, deforestation, and land-use expansion led to a decrease in terrestrial carbon stocks (−460,710.2 t). The results of this study can provide a reference for the adjustment of land-use structure and the increase in terrestrial carbon stock in the Songnen Plain.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use Effects on Carbon Storage and Greenhouse Gas Emissions)
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Open AccessArticle
Land Characterization System Software: Implementing Land Cover Ontology
by
Nicola Mosca, Fatima Mushtaq, Victor Munene, Peter Maleh, Ndyebo Mnyanda, Rashed Jalal and Amit Ghosh
Land 2024, 13(5), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050617 - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Land cover (LC) plays a crucial role in the monitoring and planning of the environment among various domains, such as climate change, the management of natural resources, and sustainable development. However, inconsistent LC legends hamper their usability, particularly as technologies, like remote sensing,
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Land cover (LC) plays a crucial role in the monitoring and planning of the environment among various domains, such as climate change, the management of natural resources, and sustainable development. However, inconsistent LC legends hamper their usability, particularly as technologies, like remote sensing, rapidly improve data quality and quantity for extracting valuable information. Ontologies play a pivotal role in improving the standardization and harmonization of different LC taxonomies, enabling both a reduction in inconsistencies and a way to harness ever-increasing computing power to help scientists provide faster and better answers. However, using ontologies without suitable tools, especially when expressive power is matched with complexity, can prove a daunting task. This paper introduces the land characterization system (LCHS), an innovative tool built to support the ontology discussed in the ISO 19144-2 standard, known as Land Cover Meta Language (LCML). The LCHS can help streamline and speed up the creation and editing of LC legends using a data-driven design approach.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Land Cover/Land Use Ontologies for Innovative Production/Utilization of Land Information)
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Open AccessArticle
Evolution Model and Driving Mechanism of Urban Logistics Land: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta
by
Jun Cao, Yangfei Zhu, Haohao Zhu, Sidong Zhao and Junxue Zhang
Land 2024, 13(5), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050616 - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Logistics land is the spatial carrier for the development of logistics enterprises. Its evolution mode and driving mechanism determine the level of high-quality development of the logistics industry, and serve as an important basis for urban planning and territorial spatial planning. This study
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Logistics land is the spatial carrier for the development of logistics enterprises. Its evolution mode and driving mechanism determine the level of high-quality development of the logistics industry, and serve as an important basis for urban planning and territorial spatial planning. This study introduced a Boston consulting group (BCG) matrix and geographically weighted regression (GWR) spatial econometric models to carry out empirical research on the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), in an effort to provide scientific information for evidence-based decision-making by governments and enterprises. The scale and ratio of logistics land (LLS and LLR) in the YRD showed significant spatial heterogeneity and autocorrelation, cities with large logistics land use converging from clusters to belts from 2000 to 2020, and agglomerations with high logistics land ratio (LLR) migrating from inland to coastal areas. Diversified models of logistics land evolution also emerged, such as high scale–high speed cities, low scale–low speed cities, high scale–low speed cities, and low scale–high speed cities. In addition, the driving mechanism of LLS and LLR was very complex, with a great difference in the intensity, nature and spatial effects of the influence of different factors. The inspiration from empirical case studies is urgent to revise the planning norms and clarify the LLS and LLR control standards for logistics land use. Meanwhile, the synergistic development target of the logistics industry in the new era is changing from the manufacturing industry to the commerce and trade industry; the establishment of planning zoning and the designing of differentiated management policies significantly improve the planning applicability.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Land Use Change and Its Spatial Planning)
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