Land

29 pages, 1716 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Eco-Environmental Quality in Sonid Left Banner: RSEI Assessment and Associations with Climatic and Anthropogenic Factors

by Haojie Su, Siqin Bao, Jiahua Zhang, Luomeng Chao and Risheng Cheng

Land 2026, 15(6), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060940 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

This study assessed the spatiotemporal dynamics of eco-environmental quality (EEQ) in Sonid Left Banner from 2000 to 2025, using Landsat imagery and the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) via Google Earth Engine. Theil–Sen slope, Mann–Kendall test, Hurst exponent, and Pearson correlation analysis were [...] Read more.

This study assessed the spatiotemporal dynamics of eco-environmental quality (EEQ) in Sonid Left Banner from 2000 to 2025, using Landsat imagery and the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) via Google Earth Engine. Theil–Sen slope, Mann–Kendall test, Hurst exponent, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze trends and their associations with climatic and anthropogenic factors. Results showed that EEQ exhibited an overall improving trend, with a mean RSEI of 0.270 and an annual increase of 0.0022 a⁻¹, though it remained at a fair grade with a spatial pattern of “regionally poor but locally improved.” Hurst exponent analysis has indicated that 75.35% of the study area will sustain improvement, while 17.03% faces continuous degradation risk. Climatic factors showed the strongest associations with RSEI: precipitation (r = 0.329) and humidity (r = 0.313) showed the strongest positive correlations, with a distinct north–south spatial gradient in their association patterns; temperature (r = 0.272) showed bidirectional correlation patterns; and wind speed (r = −0.197) was the primary negative correlated factor. Human activity intensity (HAI) was negatively correlated with RSEI (r = −0.128), with 7.8% of high-intensity development areas showing significant degradation. These findings reveal that moisture availability establishes the ecological baseline in semi-arid grasslands, while human activities modulate ecosystem change, informing targeted ecological restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land Use, Impact Assessment and Sustainability)

18 pages, 277 KB

Open AccessArticle

Public Data Openness and Urban–Rural Integration—Causal Inference Based on Double Machine Learning

by Gulinaer Yusufu and Zhi Lu

Land 2026, 15(6), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060939 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

Public data is a foundational resource and new production factor in the digital economy era. Scientific assessment of its economic effects on urban–rural integration is of great significance for promoting the revitalization of rural areas and achieving common prosperity. This study employs a [...] Read more.

Public data is a foundational resource and new production factor in the digital economy era. Scientific assessment of its economic effects on urban–rural integration is of great significance for promoting the revitalization of rural areas and achieving common prosperity. This study employs a double machine learning (DML) model for causal inference, using the establishment of “data trading platforms” as an exogenous policy shock to measure public data openness (Opendata). The level of urban–rural integration (Uri) is assessed through a comprehensive index system encompassing economic, population, social, spatial, and ecological dimensions, with weights assigned using the CRITIC method. Based on panel data from 259 prefecture-level cities in China (2012–2024), the analysis is conducted using machine learning algorithms such as Lasso regression, supplemented by a series of robustness and endogeneity tests. Research has found that public data openness can significantly promote urban–rural integration, and this conclusion still holds true after a series of robustness tests. Mechanism analysis indicates that public data openness promotes urban–rural integration by facilitating the flow of factors between urban and rural areas and enhancing technological innovation. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the enhancing effect of public data openness on urban–rural integration is more significant in eastern cities and non-resource-based cities. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended to further accelerate the cultivation of a standardized and unified data element market and enrich the “digital soil”, solve the problems of unsmooth flows of factors and resource constraints, strengthen data empowerment in urban–rural information sharing, and promote common prosperity in urban and rural areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions)

24 pages, 6170 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Pathway Identification of Cultural Tourism in the Yellow River Basin, China

by Yingzhuo Zhang, Yan Zhang, Jing Chen and Changhong Miao

Land 2026, 15(6), 938; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060938 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

Evaluating and identifying paths for cultural tourism development (CTD) in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is crucial for establishing the Yellow River Cultural Tourism Belt in China. This study utilised Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to address the complex factors affecting CTD, unlike [...] Read more.

Evaluating and identifying paths for cultural tourism development (CTD) in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is crucial for establishing the Yellow River Cultural Tourism Belt in China. This study utilised Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to address the complex factors affecting CTD, unlike econometric approaches. An evaluation framework based on sustainable development and inclusive growth, consisting of 24 factors across three rule layers, was created to assess 78 cities in the YRB, China, using the entropy weight–TOPSIS method. Analysis with ArcGIS 10.5 revealed that from 2004 to 2019, CTD increased overall, with notable regional disparities: downstream and central regions thrived, while northern and southern regions lagged. High development followed three paths: policy-assisted consumer market-driven, economic investment-driven, and government-guided economic investment and innovation-driven development. Conversely, low development followed three paths: insufficient economic policies and innovation, deficient economy and consumer market, and insufficient economic and social investment. These findings could help develop sustainable cultural tourism in the birthplaces of global civilisations, specifically within the Chinese context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Development and Landscape Conservation: Finding the Balance)

21 pages, 404 KB

Open AccessArticle

Social Connection Strength and Formal Rental Stipulation in Farmland Transfer Contracts: Evidence from Rural China

by Jiao Long and Mingyong Hong

Land 2026, 15(6), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060937 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

Formally stipulating rental terms in farmland transfer contracts is essential to safeguarding transacting parties’ rights, anchoring market price signals, and underpinning the rule-based governance of rural land markets. Drawing on survey data from 1496 rural households across three Chinese provinces, this study empirically [...] Read more.

Formally stipulating rental terms in farmland transfer contracts is essential to safeguarding transacting parties’ rights, anchoring market price signals, and underpinning the rule-based governance of rural land markets. Drawing on survey data from 1496 rural households across three Chinese provinces, this study empirically examines how connection strength between transacting parties shapes the decision to formally stipulate rental terms in farmland transfer contracts. Baseline estimates show that greater connection strength is significantly and negatively associated with the probability of formal rental term stipulation, a pattern robust to alternative model specifications and variable operationalizations. Mechanism analysis reveals that stronger connections inhibit formal stipulation by concurrently heightening reputational constraints among parties suppressing demand for formal enforcement mechanisms and attenuating perceived transactional risk, which erodes the perceived value of the risk-bounding function that written clauses provide. Heterogeneity analysis further shows that this inhibitory effect is concentrated among ordinary farm household transfers and disappears among new-type agricultural business entities, where institutional rationality crowds out connection-based governance logic. Beyond its direct effect on contract formalization, greater connection strength indirectly undermines the price-anchoring function of written agreements, exposing realized rents to systematic connection-based discounting. These findings carry direct implications for the demand-side redesign of contract formalization policy and the development of county-level rental price guidance systems in rural China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Price of Land: Unpacking Land Valuation and Land Markets)

31 pages, 22710 KB

Open AccessArticle

Constructing a Dual-Functional Green Infrastructure Network for Synergistic Carbon Sink and Bird Conservation

by Yajie Yang and Qiwei Ma

Land 2026, 15(6), 936; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060936 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

As global climate change intensifies and urbanization accelerates, ecosystems face increasing pressure on carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. However, most studies focus on synergies between these functions while neglecting their complex trade-offs. Therefore, identifying integrated approaches that simultaneously enhance carbon sequestration and biodiversity [...] Read more.

As global climate change intensifies and urbanization accelerates, ecosystems face increasing pressure on carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. However, most studies focus on synergies between these functions while neglecting their complex trade-offs. Therefore, identifying integrated approaches that simultaneously enhance carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation within multi-objective spatial optimization has become an urgent research priority. Using the Hangzhou metropolitan area as a case study, regional carbon sinks and bird habitats were quantified using the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach (CASA) and MaxEnt models. Core areas were identified using Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) to extract carbon sink and bird habitat hubs, and resistance surfaces were constructed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and habitat suitability inversion. Circuit theory was then applied to construct carbon sink and bird habitat Green Infrastructure Networks (GINs), which were coupled to form a multi-functional carbon–bird habitat GIN. The network was evaluated for connectivity and robustness, and community detection was applied to explore its structure and inform ecological management. The results identified 133 carbon sequestration corridors and 171 bird habitat corridors. Coupling the two GINs produced a multi-functional network with dual carbon–bird habitat synergies, including 34 intersection points and 68 composite hubs. Unlike previous studies focused on single-function GINs, this study emphasizes synergy among multiple ecological functions. The findings indicate that the multi-functional GIN reduces uncertainty in multi-objective optimization, shifting GIN planning from single-objective management to coordinated multi-objective governance. This approach increases structural redundancy and functional resilience, thereby enhancing overall network robustness and connectivity. Full article

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25 pages, 1757 KB

Open AccessArticle

In Search of an Integrated Approach to Urban Planning: Proximity and Sustainability Strategies for Resilient Cities

by Martina Borini, Carmen Angelillo and Carlo Peraboni

Land 2026, 15(6), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060935 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

Contemporary cities face environmental, social and economic challenges that highlight the vulnerabilities of urban structures, spatial connections, infrastructure and socio-economic systems. These critical issues have been amplified by the pandemic and the intensification of climate change, generating significant impacts on the territory. In [...] Read more.

Contemporary cities face environmental, social and economic challenges that highlight the vulnerabilities of urban structures, spatial connections, infrastructure and socio-economic systems. These critical issues have been amplified by the pandemic and the intensification of climate change, generating significant impacts on the territory. In this uncertain context, urban planning plays a crucial role in responding to the new needs of cities, promoting proximity and environmental sustainability, and encouraging adaptation and proactive responses to change. The research aims to promote strategic planning based on an integrated and multi-scale approach, capable of generating synergies between the various complex aspects that characterize urban environments. This approach allows spatial relationships and considerations to be articulated at different scales, from the territorial to the local level, translating urban challenges into multi-level actions and strategies. However, this requires a supporting structure on which to articulate multiple urban planning strategies, resulting from the overlap and interrelation of two complementary design urban backbones: the proximity one, aimed at connecting services and public spaces through wide slow mobility networks; the natural one, aimed at integrating green areas on different scales, with both ecological functions, to promote biodiversity, and social functions, to improve collective well-being and strengthen the resilience of the urban ecosystem. The complementarity of these two backbones was explored through the revision of the Territorial Government Plan of the City of Mantua, particularly within the Services Plan, as part of the research project entitled “Re-knowing Urban Complexity through New City Awareness: In Search of Urban Proximity Systems.” This research provided an opportunity to read and interpret the urban complexity of the city while guiding effective, sustainable, and resilient intervention strategies in response to its ongoing transformations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Planning to Integrate Ecosystem Resilience and Human Well-Being)

3 pages, 1279 KB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Hussain et al. GIS-Driven Regional Assessment for Sustainable Data Center Siting in the United Kingdom. Land 2026, 15, 516

by Shanza Neda Hussain, Mohamed Al-Mandhari, Syed Muhammad Faiq Ali, Asim Zaib and Aritra Ghosh

Land 2026, 15(6), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060934 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

Error in Figures [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Next Era of Renewable Energy Deployment: Land-Use Planning, Policy, and Modelling Innovations)

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20 pages, 1166 KB

Open AccessArticle

City-Region Strategic Coupling in China: Central–Local State Interactions and the Geopolitical Processes of Kunming

by Qike Yang, Zhiding Hu, Zhe Zhang and Yingxin Li

Land 2026, 15(6), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060933 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

Existing studies on city-regionalism as geopolitical processes tend to overuse the concept of the “state” or conflate the roles of the state and the central government. To explore the joint operation of central and local governments in city-regionalism as geopolitical processes, this paper [...] Read more.

Existing studies on city-regionalism as geopolitical processes tend to overuse the concept of the “state” or conflate the roles of the state and the central government. To explore the joint operation of central and local governments in city-regionalism as geopolitical processes, this paper proposes an analytical framework of city-region strategic coupling. This framework emphasizes that although the interests and objectives of the central and local governments are not completely identical, both sides realize strategic coupling through dynamic adjustment and strategic interaction under changing contexts. In this way, the city-region can both serve national strategies and meet local developmental demands, thereby advancing city-regionalism as geopolitical processes. Taking the Kunming city-region in China as a case study, this paper shows that the central government has supported the Kunming city-region through infrastructure investment so that it may become a radiation center facing Southeast Asia, thereby strengthening geopolitical and geoeconomic relations with Southeast Asian countries. The Yunnan government has not merely acted as a passive executor but has also used national strategies to achieve its own local development goals. Full article

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22 pages, 2017 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Geo-AI Framework for Label-Efficient Agricultural Land-Cover Mapping with Climate-Aware Active Learning

by Ali Güneş

Land 2026, 15(6), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060932 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

Multi-source agricultural land-cover mapping is important for food-system monitoring, sustainable land management, and climate-adaptation planning, yet obtaining reliable labels remains difficult in heterogeneous landscapes. This paper presents a climate-aware, label-efficient active learning framework for reducing annotation demands in agricultural mapping. The framework uses [...] Read more.

Multi-source agricultural land-cover mapping is important for food-system monitoring, sustainable land management, and climate-adaptation planning, yet obtaining reliable labels remains difficult in heterogeneous landscapes. This paper presents a climate-aware, label-efficient active learning framework for reducing annotation demands in agricultural mapping. The framework uses multi-source predictors derived from Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, ERA5 climatological variables, and topographic context to prioritize informative samples under constrained labeling budgets. In the main benchmark, uncertainty-guided and diversity-aware sampling achieved a macro F1-score of 0.827 while using fewer than 40% of the training labels used by the same-pool supervised baseline. Additional feature-group and cross-regional experiments showed that agro-environmental context improves robustness, particularly under regional domain shift. Overall, the results indicate that uncertainty-guided, diversity-aware active learning is a practical Geo-AI strategy for reducing annotation requirements in climate-relevant agricultural monitoring within the scope of binary crop/non-crop mapping over ML-ready feature time series. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing for Monitoring Agricultural Land Use and Land Cover Change Under a Changing Climate)

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13 pages, 440 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Characteristics of China’s Regional Coordinated Development—An Analysis Based on Data from 286 Prefecture-Level Cities

by Zhiqiang Lu, Jirong Yan and Luge Wen

Land 2026, 15(6), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060931 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2026

Abstract

Regional coordinated development is crucial for both human well-being and high-quality economic and social progress. This study examines 286 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2021, constructing a comprehensive evaluation system for regional coordinated development across four dimensions: economic development, public services, [...] Read more.

Regional coordinated development is crucial for both human well-being and high-quality economic and social progress. This study examines 286 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2021, constructing a comprehensive evaluation system for regional coordinated development across four dimensions: economic development, public services, infrastructure, and technological development. The entropy weighting method is employed to measure comprehensive development, while the coefficient of variation is used to assess the level of coordinated development, enabling a systematic analysis of China’s spatio-temporal characteristics of regional coordinated development. The results indicate that China’s comprehensive development level has continuously improved, with coordinated development among prefecture-level cities gradually rising. Regional disparities persist, showing a decreasing spatial gradient from east to central to west. The North–South development gap shows a pattern of fluctuating widening, with uncoordinated development between these regions intensifying. Coordination in economic development, public services, and technological development continues to improve across regions, whereas infrastructure coordination shows a declining trend. Considering both comprehensive development and intra-regional coordination, the South shows high development but low coordination, while the North presents low development alongside high coordination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redefining Urban Landscapes: Land Use and Regional Development in the Era of Urbanization)

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27 pages, 3469 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Coupling Urban Shrinkage and Social–Ecological System Resilience: Feedback Mechanisms and Governance Strategies in China

by Hong Leng and Tianyu Zhang

Land 2026, 15(6), 930; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060930 (registering DOI) - 28 May 2026

Abstract

Urban shrinkage has evolved from a localized phenomenon into a systemic challenge within China’s rapid urbanization, rendering traditional growth-oriented planning paradigms increasingly obsolete. However, existing research often treats shrinkage as either a passive outcome or an isolated shock, lacking a holistic perspective on [...] Read more.

Urban shrinkage has evolved from a localized phenomenon into a systemic challenge within China’s rapid urbanization, rendering traditional growth-oriented planning paradigms increasingly obsolete. However, existing research often treats shrinkage as either a passive outcome or an isolated shock, lacking a holistic perspective on how complex urban systems can adapt and reorganize under prolonged decline. This study constructs a coupling framework integrating urban shrinkage with Social–Ecological System (SES) resilience to bridge this theoretical gap. Drawing on a systematic literature review of 76 peer-reviewed articles following the PRISMA guidelines, we identify six core dimensions that drive this coupling. These dimensions consist of distinct physical and social elements. Our analysis reveals that the interactions between rigid physical environments and highly fluid social elements trigger nonlinear cascading feedback loops. While demographic contraction amplifies systemic risks, the subsequent structural release provides crucial spatial and institutional room for right-sizing. To translate these mechanisms into actionable governance strategies within the Chinese context, we propose a dual-track paradigm. Regionally, strategies emphasize collaborative risk monitoring, cross-boundary factor substitution, and industrial functional complementarity to mitigate vulnerability spillover. Locally, planning needs to pivot toward systemic downsizing and social empowerment, integrating proactive spatial reduction with agile service provision and community capacity-building. Ultimately, integrating structural reconfiguration with grassroots social learning enables shrinking cities to establish a new resilient equilibrium. While anchored in the Chinese context, this dual-track governance paradigm offers transferable insights for global shrinking cities seeking to overcome structural lock-in and foster adaptive SES resilience. Full article

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21 pages, 2477 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Cadastral Data Quality on Risks in ConstructionInvestment Processes

by Anita Kwartnik-Pruc and Teresa Front-Dąbrowska

Land 2026, 15(6), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060929 (registering DOI) - 28 May 2026

Abstract

This study examines the role of cadastral data quality in shaping risks within investment processes, focusing on the Polish Land and Buildings Register as a key information source for surveying, planning, and design activities. The research is based on an empirical analysis of [...] Read more.

This study examines the role of cadastral data quality in shaping risks within investment processes, focusing on the Polish Land and Buildings Register as a key information source for surveying, planning, and design activities. The research is based on an empirical analysis of cadastral data from twelve study areas representing different settlement types, using datasets obtained in 2022 and 2026. Data quality was evaluated in terms of completeness, accuracy, and currency, with particular emphasis on boundary points, land use classifications, and building records. The results reveal significant spatial disparities, with higher data quality observed in large urban areas and lower quality in smaller towns and rural municipalities, where incomplete, inconsistent, or data derived from raster maps are more prevalent. At the same time, a noticeable improvement in data quality was identified over the analysed period, particularly in less urbanised areas. Despite this progress, inconsistencies in attribute definitions, limited standardisation, and gaps in data documentation persist, reducing reliability and interoperability. The findings demonstrate that inadequate cadastral data quality generates legal, technical, temporal, and financial risks, primarily manifested in delays and increased costs due to additional surveying work. A plan has been drawn up to optimise the investor’s activities, taking into account the risks identified during the research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Land Cadastre)

27 pages, 4289 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Land Use for Maximizing Ecological Benefits in Haibei Prefecture: Multi-Scenario Simulation Using a Coupled PLUS-InVEST-MOP Framework

by Ying He, Li Peng and Muzi Li

Land 2026, 15(6), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060928 (registering DOI) - 28 May 2026

Abstract

Land-use/land-cover change (LULC) fundamentally alters regional ecosystem service provisioning, necessitating multi-scenario simulations coupled with multi-objective optimization (MOP) to inform territorial spatial governance. This study develops an integrated PLUS-InVEST-MOP framework to simulate land-use dynamics and their ecological consequences in the Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, [...] Read more.

Land-use/land-cover change (LULC) fundamentally alters regional ecosystem service provisioning, necessitating multi-scenario simulations coupled with multi-objective optimization (MOP) to inform territorial spatial governance. This study develops an integrated PLUS-InVEST-MOP framework to simulate land-use dynamics and their ecological consequences in the Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a critical ecological barrier on the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Utilizing GlobeLand30 data (2000–2020), we projected 2030 land-use patterns under four scenarios (natural development, ecological conservation, economic development, and climate change) and quantified spatiotemporal variations in carbon storage and habitat quality. Results showed that grassland degradation accelerated during 2010–2020, with 1202.43 km² converted primarily to bare ground, contrasting with restoration gains observed in 2000–2010. Elevation emerged as the predominant natural driver of glacial and forestland expansion, whereas demographic and economic factors governed land encroachment on artificial surfaces. Under the climate change scenario, habitat quality declined by 3.78% (to 0.596), and carbon storage decreased by 70.04 Tg relative to 2020, underscoring the vulnerability of alpine ecosystems to warming. Conversely, the MOP-optimized scenario achieved synergistic improvements in carbon sequestration (+1.8% vs. 2020) and habitat quality (+2.3% vs. 2020) while adhering to arable land preservation targets (≥54,800 ha) and constraints on artificial surfaces. These findings provide quantitative decision support for balancing ecological conservation and sustainable development in high-altitude cold regions. Full article

23 pages, 1072 KB

Open AccessArticle

Misinformation in Agriculture: How Actors Shape Agricultural Information Systems

by Uduak Ita Edet, Ataharul Chowdhury, Khondokar H. Kabir and Nasir Abbas Khan

Land 2026, 15(6), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060927 (registering DOI) - 28 May 2026

Abstract

This study analyzes how agri-food misinformation is generated within Nigeria’s agricultural information systems and its influence on climate change adaptation. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from online surveys with 128 farmers and semi-structured interviews with key actors were analyzed through binary logistic regression [...] Read more.

This study analyzes how agri-food misinformation is generated within Nigeria’s agricultural information systems and its influence on climate change adaptation. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from online surveys with 128 farmers and semi-structured interviews with key actors were analyzed through binary logistic regression and thematic analysis. Findings reveal that public extension agents are the most trusted actors, but their infrequent contact with farmers leaves a communication void, which is filled by other farmers within the social group. These informal channels serve as primary conduits for the unintentional spread of agri-food misinformation, often rooted in honest technical misinterpretations. When linked to socio-economic factors such as age and experience, this agri-food misinformation negatively influences adaptation decisions, leading farmers to abandon resilient practices like crop rotation and cover cropping during critical climate shocks. The study concludes that farmers are central, though unintentional, actors in the creation of agri-food misinformation. Addressing this challenge requires a coordinated agricultural information system that prioritizes direct communication, institutionalizes verification processes, and enhances farmers’ capacity to validate formal information. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues)

25 pages, 2241 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Training Parameter Impacts on TransU-Net Performance for UAV-Based Landslide Prediction

by Wun Puo Lim, Shih Yin Ooi, Yee Jian Chew, Ying Han Pang, Sheriza Mohd Razali and Yeong Khang Lee

Land 2026, 15(6), 926; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060926 (registering DOI) - 28 May 2026

Abstract

Landslides are among the most destructive geological hazards in Malaysia, especially in mountainous and forested areas. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery offers high spatial resolution and flexible data capture, but deep learning performance is highly sensitive to training hyperparameters. In this study, the [...] Read more.

Landslides are among the most destructive geological hazards in Malaysia, especially in mountainous and forested areas. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery offers high spatial resolution and flexible data capture, but deep learning performance is highly sensitive to training hyperparameters. In this study, the TransU-Net model for UAV-based landslide detection was adopted and a systematic ablation study on learning-rate and epoch settings using a coarse-to-fine tuning strategy. The Berembun Forest Reserve dataset was first used to determine the optimal training configuration. Then, the optimised configuration was tested on multiple UAV sub-datasets in the CAS Landslide dataset to evaluate performance stability under different terrain properties and spatial resolutions. The optimised configuration yielded the best F1-score (0.9598) and IoU of 0.9507 on the Berembun Forest Reserve dataset, and consistently high F1-scores across the evaluated CAS Landslide sub-datasets. Qualitative visualisation analysis also revealed good spatial correspondence between the predicted segmentation masks and the ground-truth annotations. Variations in Intersection over Union (IoU) values were mainly associated with boundary delineation uncertainty rather than severe misclassification. Overall, the results show that the performance of UAV-based landslide segmentation can improve by systematic hyperparameter tuning, and the optimised TransU-Net configuration under the evaluated terrain conditions yields promising results. Full article

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22 pages, 2448 KB

Open AccessReview

Evaluation Approaches to Urban Wildscapes: A Systematic Review of Exposure Pathways, Psychological Health, and Socio-Ecological Resilience

by Daer Su, Ruochen Yang, Hongyu Li, Tongguang Zang, Fuhao Sun, Wanyue Ren and Takeshi Kinoshita

Land 2026, 15(6), 925; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060925 - 28 May 2026

Abstract

Urban wildscapes (UWS), characterized by low levels of management and spontaneous vegetation, are increasingly recognized as components of blue–green infrastructure with potential benefits for climate adaptation, health equity, and socio-ecological resilience. However, these benefits depend on individuals’ actual environmental exposure in daily life, [...] Read more.

Urban wildscapes (UWS), characterized by low levels of management and spontaneous vegetation, are increasingly recognized as components of blue–green infrastructure with potential benefits for climate adaptation, health equity, and socio-ecological resilience. However, these benefits depend on individuals’ actual environmental exposure in daily life, which is shaped by mobility, activity patterns, and temporal constraints, leading to unequal access across social groups. Despite this, existing research has largely focused on public perceptions and acceptance of UWS, with limited attention to whether such evaluations reflect real-world exposure processes. This study conducts a systematic review of 30 empirical studies, examining spatial types, evaluation methods and media, and psychological dimensions. The results reveal three patterns: a focus on marginal spaces, the dominance of visual media and scale-based methods, and an emphasis on affective and cognitive responses over functional dimensions. These findings suggest that current research captures mediated perceptions rather than lived exposure, potentially constraining understanding of health outcomes and equity. This paper calls for a shift toward an exposure-oriented framework integrating mobility, activity spaces, and environmental contact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Exposure, Public Space Usage, and Travel Behavior: Strategies for Building Inclusive Cities and Supporting Vulnerable Groups)

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20 pages, 1836 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cultivated Land “Non-Grain” Rectification, Industrial Relocation, and Agricultural Economic Growth in Mountainous Counties

by Feng Gao, Chunjie Qi and Fan Zhang

Land 2026, 15(6), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060924 - 28 May 2026

Abstract

Cultivated Land “Non-grain” Rectification is reshaping crop allocation across China, yet whether the policy promotes or impedes agricultural growth remains contested. This paper argues that the same uniform regulation generates spatially heterogeneous outcomes along a continuous topographic relief: strict enforcement on contiguous plain [...] Read more.

Cultivated Land “Non-grain” Rectification is reshaping crop allocation across China, yet whether the policy promotes or impedes agricultural growth remains contested. This paper argues that the same uniform regulation generates spatially heterogeneous outcomes along a continuous topographic relief: strict enforcement on contiguous plain farmland raises compliance costs for horticultural production and displaces it toward higher-elevation counties, where land-use rules bind less tightly and micro-climates favor cash crops. Using a panel of 2077 Chinese counties from 2019 to 2023, we construct a municipal-level measure of rectification intensity from government work reports and examine how its effect varies with county-level terrain relief. The results show that the marginal effect of policy intensity on agricultural value added rises monotonically with terrain, turning from negative in flat plains to increasingly positive beyond 0.5–1.0 km of relief; at the sample mean a one-standard-deviation increase in policy intensity raises agricultural value added by about 0.36 percent, and at 2 km of relief by 1.16 percent. The mechanism is spatial reallocation, not land expansion. Rectification shrinks horticultural area in plains and expands it in mountains. A Moran’s I test confirms this: counties with very different terrain show opposite changes in orchard cover. Further heterogeneity tests indicate that rectification primarily promotes the relocation and expansion of fruit orchards toward higher-relief counties. The growth effect is stronger where transport networks are denser, whereas water endowment does not significantly moderate the effect. Results are robust to alternative keyword classifications, concurrent-policy controls, and two instrumental-variable strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use Policy and Food Security: 3rd Edition)

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29 pages, 2938 KB

Open AccessArticle

Technical Suitability, Conflict, Governance, and Socio-Environmental Sensitivity in Onshore Wind Siting: A GIS-MCDA Framework Applied to Colombia

by Víctor Olivero-Ortiz, Carlos Robles-Algarín, Andrés Camilo Pardo Gutiérrez, John Taborda and Carolina Diosa Rosas

Land 2026, 15(6), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060923 - 27 May 2026

Abstract

This study develops a GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis framework to assess the territorial suitability of onshore wind energy in Colombia. The proposed approach combines technical and socio-environmental suitability modelling with territorial interpretation based on conflict and governance, moving beyond conventional siting models focused [...] Read more.

This study develops a GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis framework to assess the territorial suitability of onshore wind energy in Colombia. The proposed approach combines technical and socio-environmental suitability modelling with territorial interpretation based on conflict and governance, moving beyond conventional siting models focused mainly on wind resource availability and infrastructure proximity. The technical assessment included wind speed, wind power density, terrain slope, land cover, land use, and proximity to electrical grids, main roads, settlements, and water bodies. In addition, a National Conflict Index and a National Governance Index were constructed to represent broader territorial conditions that may affect project implementation. Quantitative variables, including wind speed, wind power density, terrain slope, and distance-based criteria, were transformed onto a common suitability scale using linear fuzzy membership functions, whereas qualitative variables, including land cover and land use, were incorporated through categorical reclassification. The National Conflict Index and National Governance Index were first constructed using CRITIC to obtain objective weights for their internal variables. Subsequently, the final onshore wind suitability criteria were weighted through the linear Best–Worst Method based on expert judgment. The standardized suitability layers and corresponding BWM-derived weights were integrated through weighted spatial overlay to generate a national suitability map, while the conflict and governance indices were used to interpret the territorial conditions associated with the resulting suitable areas. The results show a highly selective territorial pattern, with the most favorable areas concentrated mainly in La Guajira (1286.09 km²) and Cesar (574.45 km²), and more fragmented secondary opportunities in Nariño, Boyacá, Norte de Santander, Cundinamarca, Atlántico, and Magdalena. Three territorial intervention scenarios were identified: priority intervention, complementary or selective development, and low relative priority. The main contribution of the study is the articulation of a BWM-weighted technical and socio-environmental suitability model with CRITIC-based conflict and governance indices, offering a replicable framework to support strategic planning and public policy decisions for onshore wind deployment in Colombia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land Planning and Landscape Architecture)

22 pages, 1985 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamics of the Symbiotic Relationship Between Urban and Rural Construction Land (URCL) and the Factors Influencing Its Transformation

by Qi Zhang and Kaisheng Long

Land 2026, 15(6), 922; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060922 - 27 May 2026

Abstract

At the present stage, driven by China’s “Three Types of Land” reform policies, the inter-action between urban and rural construction land (URCL) has evolved from an administratively dominated allocation structure toward a market-oriented one. Under the impetus of urban–rural transition, China’s urban and [...] Read more.

At the present stage, driven by China’s “Three Types of Land” reform policies, the inter-action between urban and rural construction land (URCL) has evolved from an administratively dominated allocation structure toward a market-oriented one. Under the impetus of urban–rural transition, China’s urban and rural construction land has developed a symbiotic relationship characterized by internal factor mobility and external environmental constraints. This study develops a symbiosis indicator system and applies a logistic model to quantitatively evaluate the symbiotic relationship between urban construction land and rural construction land from 2009 to 2024 and to trace its evolutionary patterns. The results reveal the following: The symbiotic relationship gradually transitions from competitive symbiosis to mutualistic symbiosis, yet it exhibits frequent fluctuations and occasional transient reversions to competition, indicating that mutualism remains unstable. Urban construction land dominates during competitive symbiosis, whereas rural construction land dominates during mutualistic symbiosis; urban dominance within mutualistic phases occurs only sporadically. The marketization of rural construction land (measured by the leased and sold area and associated income) accelerates efficient urban—rural cooperation; land expropriation and the urbanization rate are key drivers shifting the relationship from competition to mutualism. However, excessive reliance on urbanization may impede the market structure of rural construction land and disrupt the established mutualistic pattern. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use Transition Pathways: Governance, Resources, and Policies)

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