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Spatial Patterns, Drivers, and Sustainable Utilization of Terrace Abandonment in Mountainous Areas of Southwest China

Author

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  • Weiying Ren

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
    New Liberal Arts Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Rural Western China, Chongqing 400715, China)

  • Aoxi Yang

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
    New Liberal Arts Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Rural Western China, Chongqing 400715, China)

  • Yahui Wang

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
    New Liberal Arts Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Rural Western China, Chongqing 400715, China
    Chongqing Jinfo Mountain Karst Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China)

Abstract

Sloping farmland abandonment has become a typical land use pattern worldwide. Along with the aggravation of sloping farmland abandonment, terrace abandonment is also showing an increasing trend. Systematically clarifying the pattern and mechanism of terrace abandonment is a prerequisite for effective management. Based on the survey data of 145 villages, 697 rural households, and satellite remote sensing in Southwest China, this study uses spatial analysis and the Logit model to reveal the scale, pattern, and driving mechanism of terrace abandonment in the study area to provide scientific references for the sustainable utilization of terrace resources in mountainous areas. This study found that in the study area, 63% of the villages had experienced terrace abandonment, and nearly one-fifth of the rural households had abandoned terraces. The area of abandoned terraces accounted for 7.65% of the total area, and the scale of abandoned terraces reached 449,360 hectares, of which Chongqing has the highest proportion of terrace abandonment (11.5%), while Yunnan Province has the lowest (5.1%); the overall abandoned terraces show a pattern of higher in the east and lower in the west. Terrace abandonment is influenced by multiple factors. The rise in non-agricultural wages attracts rural labor migration as an external force, while the rising operating costs of mountain agriculture serve as internal drivers. Under the combined influence of internal and external factors, the abandonment of terraces in southwest mountainous areas is intensifying. The government should actively conduct assessments of terrace resources within the region and implement targeted measures to address terrace abandonment.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:3:p:283-:d:1345433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michalia Sakellariou & Basil E. Psiloglou & Christos Giannakopoulos & Photini V. Mylona, 2021. "Integration of Abandoned Lands in Sustainable Agriculture: The Case of Terraced Landscape Re-Cultivation in Mediterranean Island Conditions," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-16, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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).
    2. Mingyong Zuo & Guoxiang Liu & Chuangli Jing & Rui Zhang & Xiaowen Wang & Wenfei Mao & Li Shen & Keren Dai & Xiaodan Wu, 2025. "Spatiotemporal Patterns and Driving Factors of Cropland Abandonment in Metropolitan Suburbs: A Case Study of Chengdu Directly Administered Zone, Tianfu New Area, Sichuan Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, June.

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