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Research on Delineation and Assessment Methods for Cultivated Land Concentration and Contiguity in Southeastern China

Author

Listed:
  • Lei Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping, Beijing 100036, China)

  • Rong Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping, Beijing 100036, China)

  • Chun Dong

    (Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping, Beijing 100036, China)

  • Chaoying He

    (Department of Natural Resources Survey and Monitoring, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100812, China)

  • Xiaochen Kang

    (Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping, Beijing 100036, China)

  • Lina Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping, Beijing 100036, China)

  • Dong Wei

    (Shanxi Institute of Surveying Mapping and Geoinformation, Taiyuan 030001, China)

  • Junsong Zhou

    (Yunnan Provincial Geomatics Center, Kunming 650034, China)

  • Lihua He

    (Hubei Provincial Geographic National Conditions Monitoring Center, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Xiaoding Liu

    (Guangdong Provincial Institute of Land and Resources Surveying and Mapping, Guangzhou 510663, China)

  • Yingchun Wang

    (Anhui Provincial Basic Surveying and Mapping Information Center, Hefei 230031, China)

Abstract

Cultivated land concentration and contiguity, as a core element of agricultural modernization development, holds strategic significance for enhancing agricultural production efficiency and ensuring national food security. This study employs vector patches as research units and classifies spatial connections between patches into direct and indirect connections. We quantify six types of spatial relationships between patches using binary encoding, enabling precise delineation of concentrated contiguous cultivated land. A Patch Connectivity Index is proposed. Combined with the Patch Area Index and Patch Shape Index, an evaluation system for cultivated land concentration and contiguity is established. Using Suixi County as a case study, we investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of its cultivated land concentration and contiguity from 2019 to 2023. Overall, patch connectivity exhibits a “single-element dominant, multi-element complementary” structural pattern, while the evaluation grading of cultivated land concentration and contiguity follows a normal distribution. Between 2019 and 2023, the average patch area decreased while the average number of connections between patches increased, indicating significant improvement in cultivated land concentration and contiguity levels. By adjusting spatial relationships between patches, the effective integration and utilization of cultivated land resources can provide theoretical foundations and practical references for agricultural modernization development.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei Wang & Rong Zhao & Chun Dong & Chaoying He & Xiaochen Kang & Lina Zhang & Dong Wei & Junsong Zhou & Lihua He & Xiaoding Liu & Yingchun Wang, 2025. "Research on Delineation and Assessment Methods for Cultivated Land Concentration and Contiguity in Southeastern China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:17:p:1803-:d:1731060
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    References listed on IDEAS

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