Journal Description
Land
Land
is an international and cross-disciplinary, peer-reviewed, open access journal on land system science, landscape, soil–sediment–water systems, urban study, land–climate interactions, water–energy–land–food (WELF) nexus, biodiversity research and health nexus, land modelling and data processing, ecosystem services, and multifunctionality and sustainability etc., published monthly online by MDPI. The International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE), European Land-use Institute (ELI), Landscape Institute (LI) and Urban Land Institute (ULI) are affiliated with Land, and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SSCI (Web of Science), PubAg, AGRIS, GeoRef, RePEc, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Environmental Studies) / CiteScore - Q2 (Nature and Landscape Conservation)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 14.8 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.7 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
3.9 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
4.0 (2022)
Latest Articles
Evolutionary Characteristics, Regional Differences and Spatial Convergence of China’s Sustainable Agricultural Development Level
Land 2024, 13(6), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060803 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
Sustainable agricultural development is a fundamental requirement and a crucial goal of modern agriculture. It is also a significant means of enabling farmers to increase their incomes. This paper analyses the evolutionary characteristics, regional differences and spatial convergence of the level of sustainable
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Sustainable agricultural development is a fundamental requirement and a crucial goal of modern agriculture. It is also a significant means of enabling farmers to increase their incomes. This paper analyses the evolutionary characteristics, regional differences and spatial convergence of the level of sustainable agricultural development using kernel density estimation, Dagum’s Gini coefficient and the spatial convergence model based on panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2021.The results show that: (1) At the level of development, the level of sustainable agricultural development at the national level and in the three major regions has shown an upward trend with fluctuations, with the average level of development in the eastern and central parts of the country higher than the national average, and in the western part of the country lower than the national average; however, the growth rate in the western part of the country is the highest among the three major regions. (2) In terms of evolutionary characteristics, the level of sustainable agricultural development in the country and the three major regions is characterised by spatial agglomeration, with varying degrees of polarisation. (3) In terms of regional differences, the Gini coefficients for the country as a whole, within the three major regions and between regions, generally show a downward trend, with interregional differences remaining the main source of overall differences. (4) In terms of spatial convergence, there is σ-convergence and β-convergence in the level of sustainable agricultural development across the country and the three major regions, and there is a positive spatial spillover effect. The conditional β convergence results show that the eastern region has the fastest rate of convergence. The above findings provide a scientific basis for the formulation of policies related to sustainable agricultural development in China.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agriculture, Forestry, Land Allocation and Environmental Sustainability)
Open AccessArticle
The Use of an Optimized Grey Multi-Objective Programming-PLUS Model for Multi-Scenario Simulation of Land Use in the Weigan–Kuche River Oasis, China
by
Kangning Dong, Hongwei Wang, Kui Luo, Xiaomei Yan, Suyan Yi and Xin Huang
Land 2024, 13(6), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060802 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
The oasis serves as the primary supply of cultivable land, along with the hub for human production and habitation in Xinjiang. Accordingly, predicting the land use of these areas based on various goals is an effective instrument for encouraging the sensible distribution of
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The oasis serves as the primary supply of cultivable land, along with the hub for human production and habitation in Xinjiang. Accordingly, predicting the land use of these areas based on various goals is an effective instrument for encouraging the sensible distribution of resource space. The study investigated the creation of a land use-allocation optimization model based on the various objectives of ecological protection, food security, and urban growth using the Weigan–Kuche River oasis as an example. The GMOP-PLUS model’s restriction conversion area was adjusted to include the findings of the land suitability evaluation. Additionally, it optimized and simulated the spatial arrangement and quantitative structure of land usage in the Weigan–Kuche River oasis in 2035. The results indicate the following: (1) the model’s overall accuracy is 89.36%, and its Kappa coefficient is 0.872, more than 0.8. Thus, the model can be considered for adoption in the future when predicting changes in land use in the districts and counties of the Weigan–Kuche River oasis; (2) based on the results of the land suitability evaluation, the percentage of areas that are most suited for agricultural development, urban development, and ecological protection is 39.32%, 24.21%, and 14.06%, respectively; and (3) the three scenarios satisfy the various demands for growth within the oasis, and the land use structure of the oasis varies considerably in response to the various development objectives, with the construction and cultivated land undergoing the most substantial modifications. The multi-scenario simulation of land usage in the oasis can provide essential support and a range of perspectives for future land spatial planning and socioeconomic development decision-making in the Weigan–Kuche River oasis. This is essential for both the efficient use of land resources and sustainable development.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agriculture, Forestry, Land Allocation and Environmental Sustainability)
Open AccessArticle
Assessment of Carbon Storage in a Multifunctional Landscape: A Case Study of Central Asia
by
Xinyue Dong, Zeyu Cao, Yi Guo, Jingyuan Lin, Hanze Yan, Mengyu Li and Peng Yao
Land 2024, 13(6), 801; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060801 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
The robust carbon storage (CS) capacity of terrestrial ecosystems is crucial in mitigating climate change and holds indispensable significance for global sustainable development. The diverse topography of Central Asia (CA), comprising oases, grasslands, forests, deserts, and glaciers, has fostered industries like animal husbandry,
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The robust carbon storage (CS) capacity of terrestrial ecosystems is crucial in mitigating climate change and holds indispensable significance for global sustainable development. The diverse topography of Central Asia (CA), comprising oases, grasslands, forests, deserts, and glaciers, has fostered industries like animal husbandry, irrigation agriculture, and mining. However, the fragile arid ecosystems of CA render it highly sensitive to climate change and human activities, with their impact on the sustainable development of multifunctional landscapes in this region remaining ambiguous in the future. This study linked land use changes with multiple socio-economic and ecological indicators to predict the dynamics of land use and changes in CS in CA. The findings reveal a significant spatial heterogeneity in CS, with considerable variations among five countries driven by differences in landscape composition. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, characterized by grasslands, demonstrate higher CS per unit area, whereas Turkmenistan, dominated by barren land, exhibits the lowest CS per unit area. Strategies involving innovative development and improved biodiversity conservation have proven effective in augmenting CS. Meanwhile, high economic and population growth stimulates the expansion of cropland and urban land, reducing the CS capacity of ecosystems. This study contributes to a more precise assessment of CS dynamics in CA. Furthermore, by elucidating the interrelationships between future socio-economic development and environmental conservation in CA, it offers solutions for enhancing the conservation of multifunctional landscapes in CA.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Governance of Ecosystems Sustainability in a Multifunctional Landscape)
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Open AccessArticle
Quantitative Evaluation and Evolution Characteristics of Consistency Level of Black Soil Conservation Policy, Taking China’s Black Soil Protection Policy as an Example
by
Fan Zhang, Peng Han, Ling Wu and Zhanwei Tian
Land 2024, 13(6), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060800 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
Scientifically evaluating China’s black soil protection policy and exploring its evolution characteristics are crucial for promoting high-quality and efficient black soil protection projects worldwide. Utilizing the Policy Modeling Consistency (PMC) index model, the effectiveness of China’s black soil protection policy system is assessed.
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Scientifically evaluating China’s black soil protection policy and exploring its evolution characteristics are crucial for promoting high-quality and efficient black soil protection projects worldwide. Utilizing the Policy Modeling Consistency (PMC) index model, the effectiveness of China’s black soil protection policy system is assessed. Building upon this evaluation, the research delves into the evolution process of the black soil protection policy system, examining its dynamic characteristics across different government levels. Through the application of text mining technology and visual analysis techniques, the study explores four dimensions: keyword co-occurrence, vertical synergy calculation, policy theme identification, and policy tool analysis. The results show the following: (1) The PMC index showed a phased growth trend, and various indicators gradually improved and tended to be stable. (2) Government policies at the same level exhibit progressive evolution patterns in terms of policy keywords and themes. (3) Across different levels of government, there are hierarchical lag evolution rules observed in policy keywords and provincial policy tools. Additionally, policy keywords display vertical synergy evolution patterns. In conclusion, future black soil conservation policies need to reduce hierarchical delays, enhance the coverage and comprehensiveness of policy content, and establish a sound policy feedback mechanism. The conclusions of the study are significant for improving management approaches throughout the black soil zones of the world.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use Policy and Food Security)
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Open AccessArticle
Wastewater Management Strategy for Resilient Cities—Case Study: Challenges and Opportunities for Planning a Sustainable Timor-Leste
by
Zulmira Ximenes da Costa, Floris Cornelis Boogaard, Valente Ferreira and Satoshi Tamura
Land 2024, 13(6), 799; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060799 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
High population growth, a lack of wastewater treatment plants and poor wastewater management are major challenges in wastewater management in Timor-Leste (East Timor). One of the approaches of the government of Timor-Leste is to separate wastewater into greywater and blackwater from domestic, commercial,
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High population growth, a lack of wastewater treatment plants and poor wastewater management are major challenges in wastewater management in Timor-Leste (East Timor). One of the approaches of the government of Timor-Leste is to separate wastewater into greywater and blackwater from domestic, commercial, residential, and industrial areas. Three methods were applied to obtain insight into the locations and discharge of grey- and blackwater to develop a cost-effective wastewater strategy: a field survey and data collection, interviews with over 130 participants from local authorities and communities, and the open-source mapping of locations of wastewater discharge. This research concluded that 47.7% of the grey wastewater is discharged into open sewers connected directly to the sea. Most communities discharge their wastewater directly due to the absence of wastewater management, policies and regulations, and lack of communities’ understanding of the possible health impacts of wastewater. The impact of poor wastewater management showed that most of the children in these communities have suffered from diarrhea (73.8%), and in the rainy season, there is a high possibility of infection with waterborne diseases. The literature review, field mapping, and interviews show that there is high demand for a cost-effective wastewater strategy for health improvement. Low-cost nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands and bioswales can be implemented with local skills and materials to improve the wastewater situation and address other challenges such as biodiversity loss, heat stress, drought, and floodings. These installations are easier to rebuild than large-scale grey infrastructure given the multiple hazards that occur in Timor-Leste: landslides, earthquakes, strong wind, and pluvial and fluvial floodings, and they can serve as coastal protection.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Resources and Land Use Planning II)
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Open AccessArticle
Can Farmland Transfer Reduce Fertilizer Nonpoint Source Pollution? Evidence from China
by
Ziming Bai, Xiaochen Zhang, Jiabin Xu and Cuixia Li
Land 2024, 13(6), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060798 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
China repeatedly surpasses international fertilizer safety limits, resulting in significant fertilizer nonpoint source pollution (denoted as FNSP), which adversely affects food security and agricultural sustainability. Simultaneously, farmland transfer has emerged as a pivotal strategy for transitioning between agricultural production methods. The present study
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China repeatedly surpasses international fertilizer safety limits, resulting in significant fertilizer nonpoint source pollution (denoted as FNSP), which adversely affects food security and agricultural sustainability. Simultaneously, farmland transfer has emerged as a pivotal strategy for transitioning between agricultural production methods. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between farmland transfer and FNSP. In line with the aim of the study, based on China’s panel data from 2005 to 2020, the fixed-effect model, mediating-effect model, spatial Durbin model, and threshold regression model are employed. The findings reveal that farmland transfer exerts a significant inhibitory effect on FNSP. The reduction in FNSP through farmland transfer is facilitated by the decrease in fertilizer application intensity and increase in compound fertilizer application. Further, farmland transfer demonstrates a significant spatial spillover effect on FNSP, mitigating pollution levels within regions and influencing neighboring areas. Moreover, a nonlinear relationship between farmland transfer and FNSP is observed. These findings contribute to understanding the intricate dynamics between agricultural land management strategies and environmental sustainability, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders engaged in promoting green and sustainable agricultural practices.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Land Management to Meet Future Global Food Demand (Second Edition))
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Open AccessArticle
Research on Territorial Spatial Development Non-Equilibrium and Temporal–Spatial Patterns from a Conjugate Perspective: Evidence from Chinese Provincial Panel Data
by
Aihui Ma, Yijia Gao and Wanmin Zhao
Land 2024, 13(6), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060797 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Clarifying the intrinsic nature and formation mechanisms of the territorial spatial development non-equilibrium, optimizing the allocation of territorial resources, promoting regional balanced development, and alleviating regional development disparities have become common endeavors of all countries seeking to enhance development quality. This study, based
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Clarifying the intrinsic nature and formation mechanisms of the territorial spatial development non-equilibrium, optimizing the allocation of territorial resources, promoting regional balanced development, and alleviating regional development disparities have become common endeavors of all countries seeking to enhance development quality. This study, based on the land use and socio-economic data of 31 provinces and cities in China from 2006 to 2020, utilized the kernel density estimation method and ArcGIS spatial analysis to explore the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of China’s territorial spatial development non-equilibrium. The research findings are as follows: (1) From 2006 to 2020, both the land development intensity and land supply capacity showed an increasing trend, with increases of 21.4% and 8.03%, respectively. However, their spatiotemporal evolutions significantly differed. (2) The state of the territorial spatial development non-equilibrium in China significantly improved, with a rising trend in the territorial spatial equilibrium degree. Regional disparities in the territorial spatial equilibrium degree decreased. The number of provinces and cities in a state of underdevelopment decreased from 23 to 8, while the number in an equilibrium state increased from 7 to 21. The central and western regions showed more significant improvements in the territorial spatial equilibrium degree and a greater reduction in regional disparity when compared to the eastern and northeastern regions. (3) China exhibited distinct regional disparities in the territorial spatial equilibrium degree. The overdeveloped areas were Beijing and Shanghai. The underdeveloped regions were primarily concentrated in western areas, including Sichuan, Yunnan, and Xinjiang. The high-level equilibrium regions were predominantly located in the southeastern coastal provinces and the central plains region, while the low-level equilibrium regions included Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai, and the three northeastern provinces. (4) From the perspective of the number of agglomeration types, the order is HH (high–high) > LH (low–high) > LL (low–low) > HL (high–low), and China’s TSED exhibits a spatial proximity peer effect. The innovation of this study consists of the following aspects: (1) The clarification of the fact that the essence of equilibrium does not require an exact 1:1 match, as with “two horses”; rather, it entails the maintenance of a slight surplus of land supply capacity over land development intensity. This approach allows the possibility of future sustainable development by leaving room for expansion. (2) The differentiation between high-intensity conjugation (in terms of both quantity and quality) and low-intensity conjugation (quantity only) from a conjugate perspective. This categorization aids in a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the territorial spatial development non-equilibrium and its spatiotemporal patterns. It provides crucial information for the formulation of sustainable national territorial development plans and the promotion of a regional development equilibrium.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Resource Use Efficiency and Sustainable Land Use)
Open AccessArticle
Trend Analysis of MODIS Land Surface Temperature and Land Cover in Central Italy
by
Ebrahim Ghaderpour, Paolo Mazzanti, Francesca Bozzano and Gabriele Scarascia Mugnozza
Land 2024, 13(6), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060796 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Land Surface Temperature (LST) is an important climate factor for understanding the relationship between the land surface and atmosphere. Furthermore, LST is linked to soil moisture and evapotranspiration, which can potentially alter the severity and regime of wildfires, landslide-triggering precipitation thresholds, and others.
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Land Surface Temperature (LST) is an important climate factor for understanding the relationship between the land surface and atmosphere. Furthermore, LST is linked to soil moisture and evapotranspiration, which can potentially alter the severity and regime of wildfires, landslide-triggering precipitation thresholds, and others. In this paper, the monthly daytime and nighttime LST products of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) are employed for the period 2000–2023 in order to find areas that have been cooling or warming in a region of great interest in Central Italy, due to its complex geological and geomorphological settings and its recent seismic sequences and landslide events. The annual MODIS land cover images for 2001–2022 are also utilized to investigate the interconnection between LST and land cover change. The results of the non-parametric Mann–Kendall trend test and its associated Sen’s slope reveal a significant nighttime warming trend in the region, particularly in July, linked to forest and woodland expansion. Grasslands toward the coastline with low elevation (less than 500 m a.s.l.) have experienced significant heat waves during the summer, with an LST of more than 35 C. A significant negative correlation between the elevation and LST is observed for each calendar month. In particular, the daytime and nighttime LST have more than 80% correlation with elevation during winter and summer, respectively. In addition, nighttime warming and gradual drainage are noticed in Lake Campotosto. The results of this study could be useful for wildfire and landslide susceptibility analyses and hazard management.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ground Deformation Monitoring via Remote Sensing Time Series Data)
Open AccessArticle
Assessing the Spatial Equity of Multi-Type Health Service Facilities: An Improved Method Integrating Scale Accessibility and Type Diversity
by
Yun Zeng, Jin Zuo, Chen Li and Jiancheng Luo
Land 2024, 13(6), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060795 - 4 Jun 2024
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Ensuring the spatial equity of health service facilities (HSFs) is crucial for the well-being of residents. However, previous research has predominantly focused on the accessibility and equity of single-type facilities, neglecting the residents’ demand for diversified types of health services. This study proposes
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Ensuring the spatial equity of health service facilities (HSFs) is crucial for the well-being of residents. However, previous research has predominantly focused on the accessibility and equity of single-type facilities, neglecting the residents’ demand for diversified types of health services. This study proposes a multi-type, Gaussian-based, two-step floating catchment area method (MT-G2SFCA) to assess the comprehensive accessibility and equity of multi-type HSFs in different age groups in the Hedong District of Tianjin, with the Gini coefficient and the bivariate local Moran’s I. Furthermore, the key factors affecting the accessibility were explored through a geo-detector. The results indicate the following: (1) Neglecting the health benefits of facility type diversity can result in an underestimation of the accessibility and equity; (2) neglecting the differences in walking ability of the elderly can result in an overestimation of the accessibility and equity; and (3) the Pedestrian Route Directness is the key factor affecting the accessibility and equity in high-density urban areas, and especially that the facility density is the key factor for the elderly. This research emphasizes the impact of facility type diversity on the accessibility and equity of HSFs, which can offer more precise and holistic technical assistance and policy recommendations for optimizing the allocation of HSFs.
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Open AccessArticle
Evaluating the Urban Heat Mitigation Potential of a Living Wall in Milan: One Year of Microclimate Monitoring
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Ozge Ogut, Julia Nerantzia Tzortzi, Stefano Cavazzani and Chiara Bertolin
Land 2024, 13(6), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060794 - 4 Jun 2024
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Urban heat island (UHI) mitigation and adaptation are urgent needs in a built environment, which requires us to search for sustainable solutions to limit the urban heat island effect and improve the energy efficiency of building envelopes. Among these solutions, vertical green structures
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Urban heat island (UHI) mitigation and adaptation are urgent needs in a built environment, which requires us to search for sustainable solutions to limit the urban heat island effect and improve the energy efficiency of building envelopes. Among these solutions, vertical green structures (VGSs) have recently attracted significant attention for their potential to mitigate adverse effects, especially in densely built areas. This study presents a comprehensive data analysis of the microclimate of a living wall in Milan, Italy. Our aim was to evaluate this VGS’s performance in mitigating temperature increases caused by the UHI effect. In the literature, similar studies are limited to shorter monitoring periods (mostly in cooling seasons) and specific orientations (mostly facing south). However, the VGS presented in this case study here faces northwest and was continuously monitored for one calendar year. During this continuous in situ monitoring campaign, air temperature data from sensors either embedded in vegetation or exposed on a bare wall were collected and analysed over a whole calendar year, which is a novelty compared to the existing literature focused on VGSs due to the long duration. The findings indicate that the studied VGS has the ability to influence the outdoor microclimate depending on the season, the precipitation events, the wall exposure, the type of vegetation, and the vegetation’s phenological attributes. The analysis showed that the VGS consistently maintained cooler temperatures than the bare wall, with mean temperature differences ranging from 2.8 °C in autumn to 0.8 °C in spring through the winter. The vegetation acted as a natural insulator by reducing the air temperature during the hot summer and in early autumn, corresponding to the growing period of the vegetation. Thus, VGSs show potential to mitigate the global warming effect. These findings provide valuable insights on vegetation’s capability to act as a thermal regulator for sustainable urban planning and energy-efficient building design and retrofitting.
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Open AccessArticle
The Influencing Mechanism of the Communities’ Built Environment on Residents’ Subjective Well-Being: A Case Study of Beijing
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Yunan Lin, Hongpeng Fu, Qikang Zhong, Zitu Zuo, Sihong Chen, Ziqiang He and Hao Zhang
Land 2024, 13(6), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060793 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
There is a consensus toward quantitative environmental design in the information age, but the content and specific practices of its quantification have yet to be systematically studied. To enhance residents’ subjective well-being through environmental design, this study includes 847 valid questionnaires across four
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There is a consensus toward quantitative environmental design in the information age, but the content and specific practices of its quantification have yet to be systematically studied. To enhance residents’ subjective well-being through environmental design, this study includes 847 valid questionnaires across four types of communities and identifies different types of resident groups using correspondence analysis. Then, this study compares the differences in the built environment and subjective well-being using one-way ANOVA and analyzes their impact via regression analysis. The results indicate that residents in old communities have the highest subjective well-being (3.93/5) and built environment assessments, and residents in policy housing communities have the lowest subjective well-being (3.37/5) and built environment assessments. A resident’s subjective well-being is more influenced by two types of built environment factors: architecture and landscape and the human–land relationship. Age, education level, public place usage, and the community’s overall evaluation also significantly affect residents’ subjective well-being. In the information age, quantitative design is the inevitable direction of future design. Through quantitative research, targeted design strategies can be proposed to serve community residents better in their communities and provide references for communities in other developing countries.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Architecture and Design in Urban and Peri-Urban Environment)
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Open AccessArticle
Gully Erosion Development in Drainage Basins: A New Morphometric Approach
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Ugo Ciccolini, Margherita Bufalini, Marco Materazzi and Francesco Dramis
Land 2024, 13(6), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060792 - 4 Jun 2024
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The formation and evolution of management gullies is a highly intense process of soil erosion often overlooked in policies and river basin strategies. Despite the worldwide spread of the phenomenon, our ability to assess and simulate gullying and its impacts remains limited; therefore,
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The formation and evolution of management gullies is a highly intense process of soil erosion often overlooked in policies and river basin strategies. Despite the worldwide spread of the phenomenon, our ability to assess and simulate gullying and its impacts remains limited; therefore, predicting the development and evolution of these river reaches represents a significant challenge, especially in areas where the loss of productive soil or the hazards linked to landslides or floods represent critical factors. Our study demonstrates how an exclusively morphometric approach, based on the construction of the hypsometric curve and applied to small hydrographic basins that are lithologically homogeneous and hierarchized according to the Strahler classification method, is able to predict the triggering height of the gullies; this height corresponds to the mean elevation of the basin and the inflection point of the hypsometric curve itself, confirming the hypothesis that this point coincides with the point at which a sudden change in surface runoff energy occurs, The study also shows that the portion of the basin necessary to trigger these intense erosive processes is always within a small range, regardless of the size and morphology (slope) of the basin itself. Such an approach, which is quick and relatively easy to apply, could help develop hydrogeological hazard mitigation practices in land planning projects.
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Open AccessArticle
Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Multifunctional Land Management in Abandoned Rural Areas: A Case Study
by
Rita Lankauskienė, Živilė Gedminaitė-Raudonė and Rimantas Micka
Land 2024, 13(6), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060791 - 3 Jun 2024
Abstract
The issue of the future of abandoned agricultural land has become a prominent topic of discussion in contemporary scientific research and political discourses, especially considering the unique contribution of new-generation entrepreneurs to innovations in rural areas. The research increasingly provides evidence of how
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The issue of the future of abandoned agricultural land has become a prominent topic of discussion in contemporary scientific research and political discourses, especially considering the unique contribution of new-generation entrepreneurs to innovations in rural areas. The research increasingly provides evidence of how they serve as founders and catalysts of unconventional and often audacious ideas that ultimately transform abandoned areas into successful sustainable innovative business models with restored multifunctional land use. The main aim of this article is to disclose the potential of innovative business models, developed by new-generation entrepreneurs, for sustainable multifunctional land management in abandoned rural places, through the example of the “Sun Circle Camping” initiative in Lithuania. A qualitative research methodology was applied to perform an in-depth case study of a successful business model innovation for sustainable multifunctional land management in an abandoned rural area of Lithuania. The research results demonstrate how the smartly restored multifunctional distribution of abandoned land might generate durable land management practices, fulfilling the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic pillars of sustainability.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Land Consolidation and Land Ecology)
Open AccessArticle
Quantifying Dissolved Organic Compound Efflux from Drained Peatlands in Hemiboreal Latvia
by
Raitis Normunds Meļņiks, Emīls Mārtiņš Upenieks, Aldis Butlers, Arta Bārdule, Santa Kalēja and Andis Lazdiņš
Land 2024, 13(6), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060790 - 3 Jun 2024
Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of different land use types on groundwater dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and annual DOC efflux from drained peatlands to catchment runoff, providing insights into the mechanisms of carbon stock changes in peatland soils. We measured groundwater chemical
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This study evaluated the impact of different land use types on groundwater dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and annual DOC efflux from drained peatlands to catchment runoff, providing insights into the mechanisms of carbon stock changes in peatland soils. We measured groundwater chemical properties and various environmental variables, and calculated daily runoff and evapotranspiration for 2021 to estimate monthly and annual DOC efflux and analyzed main affecting factors in different peatland land use types. The highest DOC concentrations in groundwater were found in Scots pine forests and active peat extraction sites, with values of 113.7 mg L−1 and 109.7 mg L−1, respectively, and the lowest in silver birch forests and croplands, at 51.9 mg L−1 and 18.6 mg L−1, respectively. There were statistically significant correlations, including a strong negative correlation between DOC concentrations and several groundwater chemical properties, such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Ca, Mg, and K concentrations. The concentrations of DOC in the groundwater of drained peatland showed significant variation between different land use types. The highest annual DOC efflux was observed in active peat extraction sites, at 513.1 kg ha−1 y−1, while the lowest was in grasslands, at 61.9 kg ha−1 y−1, where Ca and Mg concentrations, as well as EC, were the highest. Continuous monitoring of these concentration patterns is essential.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Security of Peatland Ecosystems: Risk Assessment, Pollution Prevention and Restoration)
Open AccessArticle
Spatio-Temporal Differentiation and Driving Factors of Land Use and Habitat Quality in Lu’an City, China
by
Guandong Wang, Qingjian Zhao and Weiguo Jia
Land 2024, 13(6), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060789 - 3 Jun 2024
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The spatio-temporal evolution of land use/land cover (LULC) and habitat quality (HQ) is vital to maintaining ecological balance and realizing regional sustainable development. Using the InVEST and CA-Markov model, with the Kendall coefficient as the sensitivity value, LULC and HQ in Lu’an City
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The spatio-temporal evolution of land use/land cover (LULC) and habitat quality (HQ) is vital to maintaining ecological balance and realizing regional sustainable development. Using the InVEST and CA-Markov model, with the Kendall coefficient as the sensitivity value, LULC and HQ in Lu’an City from 2000 to 2030 are simulated and evaluated. Then, Spearman is used to analyze the correlation between HQ and driving factors. Finally, the influence of policy factors on HQ is discussed. The results show the following: (1) from 2000 to 2030, the LULC of Lu’an is mainly cropland (about 40%) and forest land (about 30%) which are transferred to construction land; (2) the kappa coefficient is 0.9097 (>0.75), indicating that the prediction results are valid; (3) the Spearman coefficient shows that DEM (0.706), SLOPE (0.600), TRI (0.681), and HFI (−0.687) are strongly correlated with HQ, while FVC (0.356) and GDP (−0.368) are weakly correlated with HQ; (4) the main reasons for the decrease in HQ are the increase in construction land area, the decrease in forest area, the vulnerability of artificial forests to threat factors, and their low biodiversity. This study outlines exploratory research from two perspectives of HQ factors and policy effects to provide policy suggestions for the sustainable development of Lu’an City.
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Open AccessArticle
A Multicriteria Decision Analysis Model for Optimal Land Uses: Guiding Farmers under the New European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (2023–2027)
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Asimina Kouriati, Anna Tafidou, Evgenia Lialia, Angelos Prentzas, Christina Moulogianni, Eleni Dimitriadou and Thomas Bournaris
Land 2024, 13(6), 788; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060788 - 3 Jun 2024
Abstract
Focusing on sustainability, the new Common Agricultural Policy (2023–2027) sets ambitious goals for water management, as reducing irrigation water use is a vital issue. Cooperation among farmers, relevant authorities, and researchers plays a significant role in achieving these objectives. Therefore, this study applies
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Focusing on sustainability, the new Common Agricultural Policy (2023–2027) sets ambitious goals for water management, as reducing irrigation water use is a vital issue. Cooperation among farmers, relevant authorities, and researchers plays a significant role in achieving these objectives. Therefore, this study applies a multicriteria mathematical programming model to optimize land use, considering water use, profit, labor, and cost. The model was applied to three farmer groups located in Greece and proved to be valuable in the implementation of irrigation water use. Using the same methodology, two additional cases of farmer groups that utilize drylands are presented in complementary ways to investigate how the new CAP affects non-irrigated land uses. Regarding the irrigated case, reducing water usage involves decreasing the land dedicated to crops characterized by high water demand, such as rice, corn, vetch, and clover. This adjustment stems from the necessity to replace irrigated land with non-irrigated land because climate change demands low water consumption for crops and underscores the importance of the new policy framework to promote sustainable agriculture. As for the non-irrigated case, achieving optimal farm planning entails reducing the cultivated areas of vetch, grassland, and sunflower. This result is driven by the need to increase crops receiving primary subsidies, highlighting the necessity for non-irrigated farms to enhance their profitability through the benefits provided by the Common Agricultural Policy. Lastly, it is important to note that this study significantly contributes to guiding decision-makers in achieving alternative agricultural land uses and farm plans while also aiding in the comprehension of the new cross-compliance rules.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Territorial Impact Analysis of Rural Policies: Approaches, Methods and Results from a Multidisciplinary Point of View)
Open AccessArticle
The Agricultural Economy of the Sanxingdui Culture (3700–3100 BP): Archaeological and Historical Evidence from the Chengdu Plain
by
Yuanhe Yang, Haiming Li, Yong Lu, Rubing Xia, Nathaniel James, Hui Chen and Yanping Zhao
Land 2024, 13(6), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060787 - 3 Jun 2024
Abstract
Agriculture is a critical foundation for the development of large-scale complex and urban societies. Sanxingdui, located on the Chengdu Plain in western Sichuan and linked with the ancient Chinese Shu Kingdom, is one of the most distinctive archaeological sites in the world. However,
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Agriculture is a critical foundation for the development of large-scale complex and urban societies. Sanxingdui, located on the Chengdu Plain in western Sichuan and linked with the ancient Chinese Shu Kingdom, is one of the most distinctive archaeological sites in the world. However, despite its importance, the agricultural economy of the Sanxingdui culture and the Chengdu Plain remains poorly understood and heavily debated. This study synthesizes recent archaeological and historical evidence concerning the agricultural economy underpinning the increasing scale and social complexity at Sanxingdui and the greater Chengdu Plain prior to 2200 BP. Our analysis finds a mixed rice and dry-land millet farming economy, in conjunction with pig and chicken husbandry, during the Sanxingdui culture (3700–3100 BP). This integrated agricultural system likely began with the Baodun culture (4500–3700 BP), passing to the Sanxingdui culture (3700–3100 BP), Shierqiao culture (3100–2600 BP) and later, the Shu culture (2600–2300 BP). In addition, although gathering, hunting, and fishing accounted for relatively low proportions of the overall subsistence, the ancient peoples at Sanxingdui and across the Chengdu Plain continued these practices, supporting a diverse agricultural and food system. Understanding the subsistence at Sanxingdui offers key insights into the development of complex societies in southwest China, the contributions to Chinese culture, and the role of agriculture worldwide.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Human-Environment Interaction on Land Ecosystem since Holocene II)
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Open AccessEditorial
Urban Ecosystem Services in a Rapidly Urbanizing World: Scaling up Nature’s Benefits from Single Trees to Thriving Urban Forests
by
Alessio Russo and Giuseppe T. Cirella
Land 2024, 13(6), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060786 - 2 Jun 2024
Abstract
The rapid advancement of urbanization, evident in the relentless expansion of concrete jungles, poses a significant threat to the delicate balance of ecosystem services [...]
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Ecosystem Services IV)
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Open AccessArticle
Is the Spanish Population Pro-Conservation or Pro-Utilitarian towards Threatened Flora? Social Analysis on the Willingness to Protect Biodiversity
by
Jose A. Algarra, María M. Ramos-Lorente and Paloma Cariñanos
Land 2024, 13(6), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060785 - 1 Jun 2024
Abstract
Conserving biodiversity in the context of global change is a challenge for the sustainability of life as we know it. Scientific protection work, particularly for flora, often lacks interdisciplinary approaches that consider human dynamics. The main objective is to evaluate the level of
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Conserving biodiversity in the context of global change is a challenge for the sustainability of life as we know it. Scientific protection work, particularly for flora, often lacks interdisciplinary approaches that consider human dynamics. The main objective is to evaluate the level of commitment of Spanish society toward the conservation of biodiversity in general and vascular flora in particular. As a secondary objective, it aims to contribute to the transfer between management and the general population. Methodologically, the survey has been used to estimate the willingness to protect threatened flora. The surveyed population is structured on the basis of its commitment to biodiversity conservation into: pro-conservation or pro-utilitarian group. The results are conclusive and indicate a high commitment of the Spanish society to conservation in aspects such as fees or legislative limitations on owners. It also reveals a deficiency in the transfer of the efforts made, from management, to society. It can be concluded that the survey, as a tool, allows us to know the starting social reality, detect weaknesses and deficiencies that allow management to be adapted to that reality, replicate work longitudinally to know the evolution of the measures and, indirectly, bring reality closer, of conservation to the people surveyed (science transfer).
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(This article belongs to the Section Land Systems and Global Change)
Open AccessArticle
Spatiotemporal Changes in Prehistoric Land Use in Upper and Middle Reaches of Yellow River Valley
by
Yajie Luan, Yanyan Yu and Huiyong Yin
Land 2024, 13(6), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060784 - 1 Jun 2024
Abstract
During the Holocene, the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River valley in China were pivotal areas for agricultural development. Quantitatively reconstructing the spatiotemporal changes in prehistoric human land use is essential for understanding, from a long-term perspective, the interactions among evolutions
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During the Holocene, the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River valley in China were pivotal areas for agricultural development. Quantitatively reconstructing the spatiotemporal changes in prehistoric human land use is essential for understanding, from a long-term perspective, the interactions among evolutions of climate, agriculture, and human activities. Based on 327 archaeological sites and the PLUM (prehistoric land use model), we quantitatively reconstructed human land use changes from 6 to 3 ka BP (thousands of years before the present) in the Tao River valley, the second-largest tributary in the upper reach of the Yellow River valley. The results indicated that regional land use areas increased from 571 km2 to 1468 km2, with spatial expansion from the lower reach to the upper–middle reach of the Tao River valley. A comparison of the five areas distributed across the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River valley revealed two different trends of increasing land use from 8 to 3 ka BP within these areas. The first group (the Wei River and Yiluo River valleys) exhibited rapid and substantial growth before 5 ka BP, while the second group (the Huangshui River and Tao River valleys, and the Yunlin district) showed a much slower and less significant increase before 5 ka BP, but a more obvious increase thereafter. The asynchronous increases in these areas indicate an expansion of land use from the southeastern part of the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River Valley to across the entire region between 8 and 3 ka BP, which was primarily driven by agricultural development and cultural communication.
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(This article belongs to the Topic New Advances in Paleolithic Sites and Early Human Settlement)
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