The effectiveness and drivers of ecological cropland conversion for sustainable land management in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China

IF 4.1 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ECOLOGY

Ecological Engineering Pub Date : 2025-08-22 DOI:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107773

Riping Gao , Zhihua Pan , Huanchun Li , Pengshuai Bi , Zhanrui Huang , Fangxiao Zhang , Xiaoyue Liu , Yupeng Jing , Jinyu Men , Na Huang , Xiao Chen , Rongdao Yang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Ecological cropland conversion is the process of transforming unsuitable farmland back to forests, grasslands, water bodies, or wetlands for the purpose of ecological restoration. However, a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness and drivers behind these endeavors remains lacking, especially in transitional zones where agricultural production and ecological protection must be balanced. This study identified the effectiveness of ecological cropland conversion in the Agro-pastoral Ecotone of Northern China (APENC), focusing on ecological land protection, land structure transformation, and contributions to ecosystem services. The Geodetector model was used to analyze the potential driving factors behind these efforts. The results indicate that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, APENC converted approximately 4,578,363.54 ha of non-ecological land into ecological land, with cropland conversion accounting for 91.5 % of the area. (2) Cropland-to-grassland conversion measures demonstrate substantial short-term advantages, accounting for 94.0 % of the total ecological cropland conversion area. (3) During 2000–2020, APENC's ecological cropland conversion increased ecosystem service value by 57.4 billion Chinese Yuan (CNY), with 65.5 % of this increase derived from ecosystem regulation services. (4) Regarding driving forces, human factors, including population, agricultural activities and infrastructure, are crucial in determining the effectiveness of these efforts. However, it is essential to emphasize that the interaction between natural factors and socio-economic and policy-related influences offers a more comprehensive explanation for the spatial variations seen in ecological restoration outcomes. APENC should balance food production and ecological protection, integrating ecological restoration with agricultural development trends, while also systematically advancing the construction of regional ecological protection compensation mechanisms.

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中国北方农牧交错带生态耕地转换对土地可持续管理的有效性及驱动因素

生态退耕是指以恢复生态为目的，将不适宜的农田改造为森林、草地、水体或湿地的过程。但是，对这些努力的效果和背后的动力缺乏全面的分析，特别是在农业生产和生态保护必须平衡的过渡地区。以华北农牧交错带为研究对象，从生态土地保护、土地结构转变和生态系统服务贡献三个方面分析了生态退耕的有效性。Geodetector模型用于分析这些努力背后的潜在驱动因素。结果表明：①2000 - 2020年，APENC将非生态用地转化为生态用地的面积约为4578363.54 ha，耕地转化面积占总面积的91.5%；(2)退耕还草措施短期优势显著，占生态退耕总面积的94.0%。(3) 2000-2020年，APENC生态耕地转换增加了574亿元生态系统服务价值，其中65.5%来自生态系统调节服务。(4)在驱动力方面，包括人口、农业活动和基础设施在内的人为因素在决定这些努力的有效性方面至关重要。然而，必须强调的是，自然因素与社会经济和政策相关影响之间的相互作用为生态恢复结果的空间变化提供了更全面的解释。亚太经合组织应平衡粮食生产与生态保护，将生态恢复与农业发展趋势结合起来，系统推进区域生态保护补偿机制建设。

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来源期刊

Ecological Engineering 环境科学-工程：环境

CiteScore

8.00

自引率

5.30%

发文量

293

审稿时长

57 days

期刊介绍： Ecological engineering has been defined as the design of ecosystems for the mutual benefit of humans and nature. The journal is meant for ecologists who, because of their research interests or occupation, are involved in designing, monitoring, or restoring ecosystems, and can serve as a bridge between ecologists and engineers. Specific topics covered in the journal include: habitat reconstruction; ecotechnology; synthetic ecology; bioengineering; restoration ecology; ecology conservation; ecosystem rehabilitation; stream and river restoration; reclamation ecology; non-renewable resource conservation. Descriptions of specific applications of ecological engineering are acceptable only when situated within context of adding novelty to current research and emphasizing ecosystem restoration. We do not accept purely descriptive reports on ecosystem structures (such as vegetation surveys), purely physical assessment of materials that can be used for ecological restoration, small-model studies carried out in the laboratory or greenhouse with artificial (waste)water or crop studies, or case studies on conventional wastewater treatment and eutrophication that do not offer an ecosystem restoration approach within the paper.