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Patterns and drivers of terrace abandonment in China: Monitoring based on multi-source remote sensing data

Author

Listed:
  • Lu, Dan
  • Su, Kangchuan
  • Wang, Zhanpeng
  • Hou, Mengjie
  • Li, Xinxin
  • Lin, Aiwen
  • Yang, Qingyuan

Abstract

As urbanization and industrialization surge in China, the problem of land abandonment intensifies. However, the situation of terrace abandonment in China remains unclear. We conducted the first-ever remote sensing monitoring of terrace abandonment in China with full space coverage by combining high-precision terrace data with land use datasets to reveal the abandonment pattern. By fully considering natural and socio-economic factors, the XGBoost-SHAP framework was used to investigate the driving factors of terrace abandonment. The results show that approximately 2.42 % of terraces were abandoned from 2019 to 2021, mainly distributed in the Southwest and Loess Plateau regions. Agricultural regions with more terraces exhibited higher abandonment rates. The ratio of the population with pension insurance, cropland quality, slope, and land parcel size were prime drivers of terrace abandonment. There were significant spatial differences in the contribution of each factor. It is noteworthy that there was a significant deceleration in terrace abandonment trends in 2021, potentially ascribed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a substantial decrease in non-agricultural employment opportunities, thereby slowing down rural-to-urban emigration and even prompting a return migration of migrant workers. Grasping this critical post-pandemic period is crucial and should support returning migrant workers in engaging in agricultural activities by establishing diverse new agricultural entities and providing agricultural technical guidance.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu, Dan & Su, Kangchuan & Wang, Zhanpeng & Hou, Mengjie & Li, Xinxin & Lin, Aiwen & Yang, Qingyuan, 2025. "Patterns and drivers of terrace abandonment in China: Monitoring based on multi-source remote sensing data," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:148:y:2025:i:c:s0264837724003417
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107388
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Weiying Ren & Aoxi Yang & Yahui Wang, 2024. "Spatial Patterns, Drivers, and Sustainable Utilization of Terrace Abandonment in Mountainous Areas of Southwest China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Liang, Xinyuan & Li, Yangbing & Zhou, Yalin, 2020. "Study on the abandonment of sloping farmland in Fengjie County, Three Gorges Reservoir Area, a mountainous area in China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    3. Xu, Dingde & Deng, Xin & Huang, Kai & Liu, Yi & Yong, Zhuolin & Liu, Shaoquan, 2019. "Relationships between labor migration and cropland abandonment in rural China from the perspective of village types," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    4. Zheng, Linyi, 2024. "Big hands holding small hands: The role of new agricultural operating entities in farmland abandonment," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    5. Zhang, Yongxun & He, Lulu & Li, Xiande & Zhang, Canqiang & Qian, Chen & Li, Jingdong & Zhang, Aiping, 2019. "Why are the Longji Terraces in Southwest China maintained well? A conservation mechanism for agricultural landscapes based on agricultural multi-functions developed by multi-stakeholders," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 42-51.
    6. Ojha, Roshan Babu & Atreya, Kishor & Kristiansen, Paul & Devkota, Deepa & Wilson, Brian, 2022. "A systematic review and gap analysis of drivers, impacts, and restoration options for abandoned croplands in Nepal," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    7. Suziedelyte Visockiene, J. & Tumeliene, E. & Maliene, V., 2019. "Analysis and identification of abandoned agricultural land using remote sensing methodology," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 709-715.
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