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Heterogeneous Changes and Evolutionary Characteristics of Cultivated Land Fragmentation in Mountainous Counties and Townships in Southwest China: A Case Study of Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County

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  • Mengqin Liu

    (School of Environment and Resource, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China)

  • Fengqiang Wu

    (School of Environment and Resource, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China)

  • Caijian Mo

    (School of Environment and Resource, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China)

  • Rongjian Xiao

    (School of Environment and Resource, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China)

  • Huailiang Yu

    (College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi 830023, China)

  • Meimei Wang

    (College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

Abstract

As a core element of comprehensive land consolidation, cultivated land serves as both a fundamental resource and strategic platform for driving rural revitalization and advancing ecological civilization development. Based on the five periods of remote sensing monitoring data of land use from the 1980 to 2020 in Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, this study systematically examines cultivated land transfer dynamics and quantitatively assesses fragmentation levels through landscape metrics analysis, with the ultimate objective of informing strategic land consolidation planning at the county scale. The results indicate that (1) the cultivated land transformation in Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County exhibited distinct temporal patterns demarcated by 2010. During the initial phase, limited land transfers predominantly involved woodland transfers, characterized by cross-regional occupation–compensation dynamics and a northwest-oriented spatial shift. The subsequent phase witnessed substantial transfer intensification, incorporating grassland and construction land transfers alongside woodland. This period demonstrated balanced intra-township occupation–compensation mechanisms and a marked southeastward migration of transfer concentration; (2) cultivated land transfer dynamics demonstrated greater intensity in topographically moderate townships, whereas northwestern mountainous townships characterized by elevated altitudes and pronounced gradients maintained comparative spatial stability in transfer patterns; (3) cultivated land fragmentation exhibited topographic modulation, with reduced spatial disaggregation in low-lying plains contrasting elevated indices across northwestern highland terrains; and (4) the cultivated land area showed a predominant reduction in low-elevation and gentle-slope regions, accompanied by a decrease in landscape fragmentation. Conversely, in areas with higher elevations and steeper slopes, expansions in both cultivated land area and fragmentation were observed.

Suggested Citation

  • Mengqin Liu & Fengqiang Wu & Caijian Mo & Rongjian Xiao & Huailiang Yu & Meimei Wang, 2025. "Heterogeneous Changes and Evolutionary Characteristics of Cultivated Land Fragmentation in Mountainous Counties and Townships in Southwest China: A Case Study of Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:7:p:1395-:d:1693765
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ntihinyurwa, Pierre Damien & de Vries, Walter Timo, 2021. "Farmland fragmentation concourse: Analysis of scenarios and research gaps," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
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