The processes, patterns, and functional differentiation of land-use system evolution in China

Analyzing the evolution of China’s land-use system (LUS) provides a useful perspective for understanding the social transformation and guiding the territorial development and governance of China. This study adopts both theoretical analysis and quantitative empirical perspectives, focusing on the functions of the LUS. By utilizing methods such as evaluation index system, regional typology classification, and provincial functional concentration measurement, this study explores the multi-scale processes, patterns, functional differentiation, and the integration tendency of LUS evolution in China from 2000 to 2020. The following conclusions have been obtained: (1) Under the background of enhanced regional interactions, coupling, and “time-space compression”, the evolution of LUSs tends toward integration. The integration of multiple LUSs is a process of their differentiation, division of labor, and synergy, requiring functional elements to agglomerate at larger scales, achieving “upscaling functional differentiation”. (2) During 2000–2020, the urban development function, agricultural development function, and comprehensive development function of China’s LUS improved substantially, while the ecological development function experienced slight fluctuations. (3) The regional functions of internal components of China’s LUS are transitioning from being “homogeneous and weak” to being “specialized and strong”. The integration tendency in LUS evolution in China is strengthening, and the regional “upscaling functional differentiation” is progressing. (4) To the east of the “Hu Huanyong Line”, upscaling functional differentiation and overall integration of LUS functions are more likely to occur. To the west of the line, the development, integration, and upscaling functional differentiation of LUSs exhibit lagging progress, tending toward localized development at smaller scales and lower levels. (5) In relatively developed provinces, the functions of their LUSs were initially less concentrated but were becoming more concentrated. In less developed provinces, the functions of their LUSs were initially more concentrated but were becoming less concentrated. The centralization and decentralization of LUS functions may follow a spiral progression of “extensive expansion – internal densification – scale breakthrough”, with these two opposing tendencies alternating to continuously promote the functional enhancement, upscaling functional differentiation, division of labor restructuring, and overall evolutionary breakthrough of the LUS.