Understanding the transformation of rural areal system from changes in farmland landscape: A case study of Jiaocun township, Henan province

Abstract

Rapid globalization and urbanization are reshaping the urban-rural landscape, driving transformations in rural areas. Exploring this process contributes to understanding the mechanisms of rural transformation, aiding decision-making for rural sustainable development. However, the evidence to capture microscale dynamics of rural transformation still requires innovative observational perspectives. Taking Jiaocun Town, a traditional agricultural region in China, as an example, we detected changes in farmland landscape using satellite data at the plot scale. Combined with interviews, these changes were further traced back to the 1980s. Furthermore, this study revealed the Transformation of Rural Areal System (TRAS) process by interpreting landscape changes and their linkages between population, land, and industry. The results showed that four events dominated the recent transformation: the replacement of fragmented farmland with large fields, the upgrading of old apple orchards to dwarf orchards, the expansion of vineyards, and the expansion of mushroom sheds. Temporally, the development of Jiaocun experienced three stages: the traditional period (pre-1990s), the extensive expansion period (1990s-2016), and the modern diversified period (2016-present). These three stages could be clearly demonstrated through the analysis of the coupling state of population, land, and industries, reflecting the adaptive cycling from primary coupling to under-coupling and then to re-coupling. Finally, policy, theoretical, and practical implications were discussed to deepen the understanding of the rural transformation in China's traditional agricultural region.