Adaptation Strategies of Sustainable Agriculture to Climate Change and Land Use

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land–Climate Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 1225

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Regional and Cross Border Development, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece
Interests: sustainable development; bioeconomy; strategy; policies; sustainability; rural development; circular economy; circular bioeconomy; agriculture

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Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, Greece
Interests: urban and peri-urban greening; natural heritage; regional development of mountain and semi-mountain areas; sustainable small cities; sustainable development; environmental economy; ecosystem services; land use; climate change mitigation; decarbonization; delignification; coal transition; disaster risk reduction; civil protection
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Strategies for adapting sustainable agriculture to climate change and land use include a range of approaches, technologies, and policies that aim to maintain agricultural production and environmental sustainability while addressing the impacts of climate change and land use change. These strategies include the use of farming techniques that reduce water dependence, improve soil fertility, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the integration of precision technologies such as sensors, drones, and satellites to better manage crops. At the same time, they build on the principles of climate-smart agriculture by adapting crop varieties, using climate-resilient seeds, and reducing energy use and are accompanied by policies and incentives that support farmers through financing, training, and improving access to innovative technologies. Climate change and changes in land use pose significant challenges for agricultural sustainability, food security, and the conservation of the natural environment.

In this Special Issue, we are interested in contributions focusing on strategies, policies, and technological solutions that enhance the resilience of agricultural systems while maintaining their economic, social, and environmental sustainability through either empirical research or conceptual/theoretical works, examining any key processes, including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. Strategies for adapting agriculture to climate change.
  2. Precision technologies and digital tools for sustainable farm management.
  3. Impact of land use change on agricultural production and biodiversity.
  4. Climate-smart agriculture.
  5. The role of the circular economy and bioeconomy in agriculture.
  6. Policies and practices to enhance the resilience of rural communities.

Contributions on the integration of renewable energy sources in agriculture, agroecology, and traditional agricultural practices, financial tools, support policies, and farmer education and information are also highly welcome.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Dr. Christina-Ioanna Papadopoulou
Dr. Dimitrios Kalfas
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • sustainable agriculture
  • climate change
  • land use
  • precision agriculture
  • agroecology
  • biodiversity

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 6019 KB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Variations in Grain Yields and Their Responses to Climatic Factors in Northeast China During 1993–2022
by Ruiqiu Pang, Dongqi Sun and Weisong Sun
Land 2025, 14(8), 1693; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081693 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 337
Abstract
Global warming impacts agricultural production and food security, particularly in high-latitude regions with high temperature sensitivity. As a major grain-producing area in China and one of the fastest-warming regions globally, Northeast China (NEC) has received considerable research attention. However, the existing literature lacks [...] Read more.
Global warming impacts agricultural production and food security, particularly in high-latitude regions with high temperature sensitivity. As a major grain-producing area in China and one of the fastest-warming regions globally, Northeast China (NEC) has received considerable research attention. However, the existing literature lacks sufficient exploration of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity in climate change impacts. Based on data on rice, corn, and soybean yields, as well as temperature, rainfall, and sunshine duration in NEC from 1993 to 2022, this study employs Sen’s slope estimation, the Mann–Kendall (MK) test, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of grain yields and their responses to climate change. The results show that ① 1993–2022 witnessed an overall rise in grain yields per unit area in NEC, with Liaoning growing fastest. Rice yields increased regionally; corn yields rose in Liaoning and Jilin, while soybean yields increased only in Liaoning. During the growing season, rainfall trended upward with fluctuations, temperatures rose steadily, and sunshine duration declined in Heilongjiang. ② Except for corn and soybeans in the early period, other crops exhibited significant yield spatial agglomeration. High–high agglomeration areas first expanded, then shrank, eventually shifting northward to the region of Jilin Province. ③ Climatic factors show marked spatiotemporal heterogeneity in impacts: positive effect areas of rainfall and temperature expanded northward; sunshine duration’s influence weakened, but its negative effect areas spread. ④ Differences in crop responses are closely linked to their physiological characteristics, regional climate evolution, and agricultural adaptation measures. This study provides a scientific basis for formulating region-specific agricultural adaptation strategies to address climate change in NEC. Full article
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20 pages, 1026 KB  
Article
Spatial Variations in Perceptions of Decarbonization Impacts and Public Acceptance of the Bioeconomy in Western Macedonia
by Christina-Ioanna Papadopoulou, Stavros Kalogiannidis, Dimitrios Kalfas, Efstratios Loizou and Fotios Chatzitheodoridis
Land 2025, 14(8), 1533; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081533 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 282
Abstract
This study examines the regional disparities in public perceptions of decarbonization and the acceptance of the bioeconomy within Western Macedonia, a Greek region undergoing structural economic change. While the environmental benefits of decarbonization, such as reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality, are [...] Read more.
This study examines the regional disparities in public perceptions of decarbonization and the acceptance of the bioeconomy within Western Macedonia, a Greek region undergoing structural economic change. While the environmental benefits of decarbonization, such as reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality, are widely acknowledged, perceptions of economic and social outcomes, including investments, new business development, and policy support, vary significantly across sub-regions. To this end, a structured survey was conducted among 765 residents, utilizing Likert-scale items to assess attitudes, with demographic data providing a contextual framework. Statistical analyses, incorporating techniques such as one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal–Wallis, and multiple regression, were employed to explore spatial variations and identify the primary drivers of bioeconomy acceptance. The results indicate that perceived government action, visible investment, new enterprises, and a positive view of public sentiment are all significant predictors of acceptance, with institutional support showing the strongest influence. The findings reveal that certain areas feel less engaged in the transition, expressing skepticism about its benefits, while others report more optimism. This disparity in perception underscores the necessity for targeted policy interventions to ensure inclusive and equitable participation. The study emphasizes the necessity for regionally responsive governance, enhanced communication strategies, and tangible local development initiatives to cultivate public trust and support. The study makes a significant contribution to the broader discourse on just transitions by emphasizing the role of place-based perceptions in shaping sustainable change. Full article
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