IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i11p5221-d1672874.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Study on the Intergenerational Distribution of Ecological Values of Cultivated Land: A Case of Lezhi County, China

Author

Listed:
  • Li Yuan

    (School of Agricultural and Forestry Economics and Management, Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics, Lanzhou 730101, China)

  • Xun Fan

    (School of Economics, Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics, Lanzhou 730101, China)

  • Jing Xu

    (Belt and Road Institute for Economic Research, Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics, Lanzhou 730020, China)

  • Haidong Wang

    (School of Statistics and Data Science, Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics, Lanzhou 730101, China)

Abstract

The ecological value of cultivated land carries clear intergenerational implications, requiring a fair allocation mechanism across the full life cycle to address market failures caused by intergenerational externalities. This study constructs an intergenerational allocation model of cultivated land ecological value based on the Diamond framework. The intra-generational consumption elasticity coefficient is derived using the Tapio decoupling theory, with the ratio of cultivated land quantity change to per capita net income change as the core indicator. Statistical data from Lezhi County (1984–2022) are used for empirical analysis. The fitted elasticity coefficient shows a steady decline and eventually converges to zero, indicating a weakening willingness of the current generation to consume ecological value, thus supporting the logic of preserving value for future generations. A simplified Pearl growth curve is then used to construct the development stage coefficient, representing the evolving realization of ecological value among future generations. Engel coefficient forecasts based on the GM(1,1) model enable year-by-year estimation of ecological value allocation to future generations. The results show that (1) the ecological value of cultivated land in Lezhi County is estimated at CNY 65,498,230/ha, (2) the proposed model effectively simulates intergenerational value allocation, (3) decoupling theory supports the hypothesis of equal intergenerational sharing, and (4) the development stage coefficient curve provides a dynamic perspective on long-term ecological value realization. This research offers a data-driven modeling approach that enhances both the fairness and the efficiency of land governance, contributing methodological support for sustainable cultivated land protection and ecological compensation policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Yuan & Xun Fan & Jing Xu & Haidong Wang, 2025. "A Study on the Intergenerational Distribution of Ecological Values of Cultivated Land: A Case of Lezhi County, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-30, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:5221-:d:1672874
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/11/5221/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/11/5221/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sumaila, Ussif R. & Walters, Carl, 2005. "Intergenerational discounting: a new intuitive approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 135-142, January.
    2. Guanghui Yu & Di Liu & Xiuying Liao & Ting Wang & Qianjin Tian & Yan Liao, 2017. "Quantitative Research on Regional Ecological Compensation from the Perspective of Carbon-Neutral: The Case of Hunan Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Peter Bohm, 1979. "Estimating willingness to pay: Why and how?," Framed Field Experiments 00127, The Field Experiments Website.
    4. Asheim, Geir B. & Buchholz, Wolfgang & Tungodden, Bertil, 2001. "Justifying Sustainability," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 252-268, May.
    5. repec:bla:scandj:v:81:y:1979:i:2:p:142-53 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Eunji Kim & Yoonhee Ha & Sangheon Kim, 2017. "Public Debt, Corruption and Sustainable Economic Growth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-30, March.
    7. Dickey, David A & Fuller, Wayne A, 1981. "Likelihood Ratio Statistics for Autoregressive Time Series with a Unit Root," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 49(4), pages 1057-1072, June.
    8. Shuxiang Li & Shuhua Ma, 2024. "A Quantitative Analysis on the Coordination of Regional Ecological and Economic Development Based on the Ecosystem Service Evaluation," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-21, February.
    9. Yuhan Zhao & Yongxun Zhang & Xiande Li & Chen Qian, 2022. "Assessment on Land-Water Resources Carrying Capacity of Countries in Central Asia from the Perspective of Self-Supplied Agricultural Products," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, February.
    10. Becker, Gary S & Tomes, Nigel, 1979. "An Equilibrium Theory of the Distribution of Income and Intergenerational Mobility," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 87(6), pages 1153-1189, December.
    11. World Bank, 2022. "Global Economic Prospects, June 2022," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 37224, April.
    12. Hartwick, John M, 1977. "Intergenerational Equity and the Investing of Rents from Exhaustible Resources," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 67(5), pages 972-974, December.
    13. Okeyo, A.I. & Mucheru-Muna, M. & Mugwe, J. & Ngetich, K.F. & Mugendi, D.N. & Diels, J. & Shisanya, C.A., 2014. "Effects of selected soil and water conservation technologies on nutrient losses and maize yields in the central highlands of Kenya," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 52-58.
    14. Mengba Liu & Anlu Zhang & Xiong Zhang & Yanfei Xiong, 2022. "Research on the Game Mechanism of Cultivated Land Ecological Compensation Standards Determination: Based on the Empirical Analysis of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-29, September.
    15. World Bank, 2022. "Global Economic Prospects, January 2022," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 36519, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ibrahim Ari & Muammer Koc, 2018. "Sustainable Financing for Sustainable Development: Understanding the Interrelations between Public Investment and Sovereign Debt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-25, October.
    2. Mustafa Naimoğlu & Serkan Şahin & Sefa Özbek, 2025. "Governance, Corruption, Trade Openness, and Innovation: Key Drivers of Green Growth and Sustainable Development in Türkiye," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(3), pages 4147-4162, June.
    3. Andree,Bo Pieter Johannes & Pape,Utz Johann, 2023. "Machine Learning Imputation of High Frequency Price Surveys in Papua New Guinea," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10559, The World Bank.
    4. Knapp, Keith C., 2006. "Recursive Sustainability: Intertemporal Efficiency and Equity," 2006 Annual meeting, July 23-26, Long Beach, CA 21472, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    5. Stavins, Robert N. & Wagner, Alexander F. & Wagner, Gernot, 2003. "Interpreting sustainability in economic terms: dynamic efficiency plus intergenerational equity," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 79(3), pages 339-343, June.
    6. Tobias Hahn & Frank Figge & Jonatan Pinkse & Lutz Preuss, 2010. "Trade‐offs in corporate sustainability: you can't have your cake and eat it," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 19(4), pages 217-229, May.
    7. Martinet, Vincent & Rotillon, Gilles, 2007. "Invariance in growth theory and sustainable development," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 31(8), pages 2827-2846, August.
    8. Geir B. Asheim & Wolfgang Buchholz, 2004. "A General Approach to Welfare Measurement through National Income Accounting," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 106(2), pages 361-384, June.
    9. Zheng, Yuhua & Luo, Dongkun, 2013. "Industrial structure and oil consumption growth path of China: Empirical evidence," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 336-343.
    10. Asheim, Geir B., 2000. "Green national accounting: why and how?," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 5(1), pages 25-48, February.
    11. Iho Antti & Kitti Mitri, 2011. "A Tail-Payoff Puzzle in Dynamic Pollution Control," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 11(1), pages 1-30, May.
    12. Olamide Ebenezer G & Daisi, F.T., 2025. "A Multivariate Analysis of Variance Approach to Business Success Factors of SMEs in Nigeria," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(14), pages 161-173, January.
    13. Richard T. Woodward & Richard C. Bishop, 2003. "Sector-Level Decisions in a Sustainability-Constrained Economy," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 79(1), pages 1-14.
    14. Alvarez-Cuadrado, Francisco & Van Long, Ngo, 2009. "A mixed Bentham-Rawls criterion for intergenerational equity: Theory and implications," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 58(2), pages 154-168, September.
    15. Elaheh Asadi Mehmandosti & Fatemeh Bazazan & Mir Hossein Mousavi, 2016. "Uncertainty of Oil Proved Reserves and Economic Growth in Iran," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 6(3), pages 374-380.
    16. repec:ocp:ppaper:pb18-22 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. John C. V. Pezzey, 2004. "Sustainability Policy and Environmental Policy," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 106(2), pages 339-359, June.
    18. Vincent Martinet, 2007. "Maximizing minimal rights for sustainability: a viability approach," Working Papers hal-04139217, HAL.
    19. Mark Shevlin & Enya Redican & Philip Hyland & Sarah Butter & Orla McBride & Todd K Hartman & Jamie Murphy & Frédérique Vallières & Richard P Bentall, 2022. "Perceived manageability of debt and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A UK population analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(9), pages 1-13, September.
    20. Cairns, Robert D. & Martinet, Vincent, 2014. "An environmental-economic measure of sustainable development," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 4-17.
    21. Arroyo Marioli,Francisco & Vegh,Carlos A., 2023. "Fiscal Procyclicality in Commodity Exporting Countries : How Much Does It Pour andWhy ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10428, The World Bank.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:5221-:d:1672874. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.