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Land Degradation and Management Strategies: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 February 2026 | Viewed by 10508

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Prof. Dr. Changhe Lü

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Guest Editor

Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Interests: land change; land degradation assessment; sustainable land management; crop productivity and yield gaps; food security
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Dr. Yaqun Liu

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Guest Editor

Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Interests: land use/cover change; land use monitoring and simulation; agricultural remote sensing; agricultural land use; rural human–earth system
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Land provides essential goods (e.g., food, feed, fuel) and services (e.g., carbon sequestration, soil conservation, climate regulation) for socio-ecological systems. However, one third of global ice-free land is degraded to varying degrees due to unsustainable land use, climate change, and extreme weather. Especially for agricultural land, 30% of cropland and 50% of grassland have experienced unprecedented degradation, such as soil erosion, salinization, pollution, productivity decline, and coverage reduction, becoming one of the major threats to food security, biodiversity conservation, economic development, social equity, and sustainable development goals. There is an urgent need to comprehensively analyze land degradation status, processes, causes, impacts, and adaptation strategies for land restoration and sustainable agricultural development. Thus, this Special Issue looks forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews focused on the following issues: (1) novel methods for assessing agricultural land-use-induced land degradation, (2) land degradation dynamics and their natural-anthropogenic driving mechanisms, (3) multidimensional impacts of land degradation and their trade-offs and synergies, and (4) sustainable agricultural management strategies for future challenges in soil and water conservation and eco-security.

Prof. Dr. Changhe Lü
Dr. Yaqun Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

agricultural land degradation
land use and cover change
overgrazing and grassland degradation
land productivity
soil quality
ecosystem services
anthropogenic interference
climate change
food and ecological security
sustainable land management

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 3411 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Impacts of Greenhouse Lifespan on the Evolution of Soil Quality in Highland Mountain Vegetable Farmland

by Keyu Yan, Xiaohan Mei, Jing Li, Xinmei Zhao, Qingsong Duan, Zhengfa Chen and Yanmei Hu

Agronomy 2025, 15(10), 2343; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102343 - 5 Oct 2025

Viewed by 452

Abstract

Long-term greenhouse operations face a critical challenge in the form of soil quality degradation, yet the key intervention periods and underlying mechanisms of this process remain unclear. This study aims to quantify the effects of greenhouse lifespan on the evolution of soil quality and to identify critical periods for intervention. We conducted a systematic survey of greenhouse operations in a representative area of Yunnan Province, Southwest China, and adopted a space-for-time substitution design. Using open-field cultivation (OF) as the control, we sampled and analyzed soils from vegetable greenhouses with greenhouse lifespans of 2 years (G2), 5 years (G5), and 10 years (G10). The results showed that early-stage greenhouse operation (G2) significantly increased soil temperature (ST) by 8.38–19.93% and soil porosity (SP) by 16.21–56.26%, promoted nutrient accumulation and enhanced aggregate stability compared to OF. However, as the greenhouse lifespan increased, the soil aggregates gradually disintegrated, particle-size distribution shifted toward finer clay fractions, and pH changed from neutral to slightly alkaline, exacerbating nutrient imbalances. Compared with G2, G10 exhibited reductions in mean weight diameter (MWD) and soil organic matter (SOM) of 2.41–5.93% and 24.78–30.93%, respectively. Among greenhouses with different lifespans, G2 had the highest soil quality index (SQI), which declined significantly with extended operation; at depths of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm, the SQI of G10 was 32.59% and 38.97% lower than that of G2, respectively (p < 0.05). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and random forest analysis indicated that the improvement in SQI during the early stage of greenhouse use was primarily attributed to the optimization of soil hydrothermal characteristics and pore structure. Notably, the 2–5 years was the critical stage of rapid decline in SQI, during which intensive water and fertilizer inputs reduced the explanatory power of soil nutrients for SQI. Under long-term continuous cropping, the reduction in MWD and SOM was the main reason for the decline in SQI. This study contributes to targeted soil management during the critical period for sustainable production of protected vegetables in southern China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Degradation and Management Strategies: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture)

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22 pages, 14510 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Spatiotemporal Patterns and Influencing Factors of Maize Planting in Hunan Province

by Qinhao Xiao, Xigui Li, Jingyi Ma, Liangwei Zhu, Kequan Gong and Siting Zhan

Agronomy 2025, 15(10), 2339; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102339 - 5 Oct 2025

Viewed by 311

Abstract

Maize, one of the world’s three major food crops, plays a vital role in global food security. Analyzing the spatiotemporal patterns of maize cultivation in Hunan Province and their influencing factors contributes to enhancing planting quality and efficiency, optimizing production patterns, and supporting provincial food security initiatives. Utilizing maize cultivation data from Hunan Province (2001–2023), this study employed the standard deviation ellipse, center of gravity shift model, and principal component analysis to examine production patterns and their drivers. Key findings include the following: (1) The maize planting area exhibited an overall increasing trend from 2001 to 2023, with a spatial convergence from the northwest towards the east. Cultivation hot spots were identified in Shaoyang, Loudi, and Changde. Maize cultivation was predominantly concentrated in areas with gentle slopes (0–3°) and gradually shifted eastward towards similar terrain. (2) The provincial maize production center of gravity followed a “Z”-shaped trajectory, moving eastward and southward with Loudi City as its core. While the spatial distribution pattern shifted from “northwest–southeast” to “west–east”, the core concentration area maintained its “northwest–southeast” orientation. Concurrently, the fragmentation of cultivated land within the maize planting landscape increased. (3) Maize planting hot spots expanded from the northwest towards the central and eastern regions, extending southward. Cold spot areas shifted from the central region towards the northeast. By the study’s end, the central region had emerged as the core maize planting area. (4) Agricultural production conditions and policy factors were identified as the main drivers of spatiotemporal changes in maize acreage within Hunan Province. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Degradation and Management Strategies: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture)

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25 pages, 10786 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Unveiling the Potential of Agricultural Soil Loss Mitigation in Poland: Assessing Conservation Management and Support Practices

by Paweł Marcinkowski

Agronomy 2025, 15(6), 1290; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15061290 - 24 May 2025

Viewed by 1036

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate soil erosion mitigation strategies in Poland’s agricultural landscapes by applying the Revised Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to identify high-risk areas where excessive soil loss adversely affects agricultural sustainability and productivity. Scenario assessments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of specific conservation practices—contour farming, reduced tillage, and cover crops—by simulating changes in the C-factor (cover-management factor) and P-factor (support practices factor) within the RUSLE framework. The research revealed heightened soil erosion rates during the summer months, particularly in regions with steep slopes and loess formations. Analysis indicated that annual soil loss from arable lands in Poland totals approximately 4.65 Mt yr⁻¹ and that contour farming, reduced tillage, and cover crops could collectively reduce this amount by up to 47%, with the highest reduction observed during the summer period. These findings highlighted the urgent need for stakeholders to adopt sustainable land management strategies. By quantifying the impact of these management practices on soil erosion rates, the study provided insights into the effectiveness of soil conservation measures in reducing erosion risks within Poland’s agricultural landscapes. This study emphasizes the importance of adopting sustainable land management strategies to preserve soil integrity and maintain agricultural productivity in Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Degradation and Management Strategies: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture)

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19 pages, 3653 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Phosphorus Fertilization on Leaching, Accumulation, and Microbial Cycling in New Apple Orchards

by Yuwen Shen, Haitao Lin, Rui Xue, Yanan Ma and Yan Song

Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 952; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040952 - 14 Apr 2025

Viewed by 984

Abstract

Field experiments spanning five years were conducted to convert barren mountainous land into apple orchards, testing five phosphorus (P) fertilization schemes: no inorganic P (NP0K), superphosphate (FP), water-soluble inorganic P (WSF), superphosphate with alkaline soil conditioner (SC), and superphosphate with grass interplanting (GC). Fertilizer solubility and soil pH were found to significantly impact P leaching and accumulation. Among the schemes, WSF exhibited the highest P leaching loss (3.65–3.87%), while SC (2.17–2.79%) and GC (2.79–3.25%) minimized such losses. As soil pH declined over time, aluminum P (Al-P) replaced calcium P (Ca-P) as the dominant inorganic P fraction, while occluded P (O-P) increased, resulting in reduced P bioavailability. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and acid phosphatase activity positively influenced inorganic P fractions, whereas prolonged orchard establishment decreased fixed inorganic P content. Microbial P cycling genes were less abundant and showed negative correlations with soil nitrate-N, electrical conductivity, available P (Olsen P), and SOC. These findings highlight that grass interplanting with superphosphate (GC) is an optimal strategy to minimize phosphorus leaching, enhance soil phosphorus bioavailability, and reduce environmental risks, making it a sustainable approach for orchard management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Degradation and Management Strategies: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture)

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25 pages, 7079 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research Progress on Land Use and Analysis of Green Transformation in China Since the New Century

by Wei He, Jianzhou Gong and Xiaobin Zeng

Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 2774; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122774 - 22 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1526

Abstract

The optimization of land use structure is a key measure to promote the allocation of land resources, ensure sustainable land development, and address the human-land conflict. Since the 21st century, land use in China has exhibited spatiotemporal dynamic development characteristics in response to socio-economic growth and changes in regional geographical conditions. The academic community, both domestically and internationally, has enriched and refined the research system on China’s land use, driven by the need to optimize its land use structure. This study systematically reviews relevant land use research literature from 2000 to 2024, utilizing bibliometric analysis and visual mapping to conduct phased evaluations and an overall review. The existing LUCC research framework in China is extensive, with a strong focus on land use issues in the context of rapid development. Building on this review and incorporating practical needs, theoretical innovation, interdisciplinary integration, and expansion across multiple fields, we aim to propose a framework for future land resource research. This framework includes: (i) Establishing a Multi-functional Land Use System: This approach promotes the coordinated development of ecological and social benefits of land use. (ii) Enhancing Effective Assessment and Management of Ecological Risks: Such efforts contribute to optimizing spatial planning and ensuring land security. (iii) Addressing Low Land Use Efficiency: Focusing on this issue will enable more precise management aligned with regional characteristics. (iv) Exploring the Application of Multi-disciplinary and Cross-field Technologies in Land Use Efficiency Assessment: This integration will advance spatial planning research. (v) Expanding Research on Multi-functional Land Use and Multi-element Integration: This direction fosters coordination across various planning frameworks, promoting synergies in land use research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Degradation and Management Strategies: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture)

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20 pages, 5762 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Natural Factors and Production Management on the Soil Quality of Agricultural Greenhouses in the Lhasa River Valley, Tibetan Plateau

by Dianqing Gong, Zhaofeng Wang, Yili Zhang, Xiaoyang Hu, Bo Wei and Changjun Gu

Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2708; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112708 - 17 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1080

Abstract

Agricultural greenhouses (AGs) are an effective solution to address the growing demand for vegetables despite limited cropland, yet significant soil quality problems often accompany them, particularly in high-altitude regions. However, the effects of natural factors and production management on soil quality are not well understood in such fragile environments. This study analyzed soil quality differences between AGs and adjacent open cropland (OCs) in the Lhasa River Valley, Tibetan Plateau, based on 592 soil samples and 12 key soil physicochemical indicators. GeoDetector was used to identify the dominant factors and their interactions with these differences. The results showed that AG soils had significantly lower pH, with an average decrease of 20%, indicating acidification, while nutrient levels and total salinity were significantly higher compared to OC soils. Specifically, available phosphorus, available potassium, the soil fertility quality index, and total soluble salt increased by 281%, 102%, 38%, and 184%, respectively. Planting, topographic, and fertilizer factors were identified as the dominant factors contributing to these differences. Interaction analysis showed that the interaction of these factors increased the explanatory power by 20.2% to 41.32% compared to individual factors. The interaction between planting year and fertilizer type had the highest explanatory power for nutrient increases and pH decline, while fertilizer amount and slope aspect contributed to salinity accumulation. These findings provide valuable insights and practical guidance for optimizing AG management and ensuring sustainable agricultural development in high-altitude regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Degradation and Management Strategies: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture)

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19 pages, 5822 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Perspective on Contamination Identification, Source Apportionment, and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Paddy Soils of a Tropical Island

by Yan Guo, Yi Yang and Yonghua Li

Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1777; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081777 - 13 Aug 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1377

Abstract

The closed-loop material and energy cycles of islands increase the susceptibility of their internal ecosystem components to heavy metal accumulation and transfer. However, limited research on the island scale hinders our understanding of heavy metal environmental geochemistry in this unique environment. This study focused on assessing a tropical island’s ecological risk by investigating heavy metal contamination and potential sources. The results revealed elevated cadmium and nickel concentrations in 0.44–1.31% of soil samples, particularly in coastal plains and developed areas. Using the absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model assisted by GIS mapping, we identified three contamination sources: geological factors, agricultural activities, and traffic emissions. Network analysis indicated direct exposure risks of vegetation and soil microorganisms to contaminated soil (0.4611 and 0.7687, respectively), with nickel posing the highest risk, followed by Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Cr with risks transferring across trophic levels. These findings provide crucial insights for mitigating ecological risks associated with heavy metals by controlling priority pollutants and their sources in tropical island environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Degradation and Management Strategies: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture)

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17 pages, 12839 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evolutionary Trend Analysis of Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Load in Chongqing Based on Land Use Simulation

by Kangwen Zhu, Yan Zhang, Xiaosong Tian, Dongjie Guan, Sheng Zhang, Yong He and Lilei Zhou

Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040737 - 2 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1759

Abstract

Analysis of the relationship between future land use change and agricultural non-point source pollution (ANPSP) evolution is vital to promoting sustainable regional development. By simulating future land use types, we can identify and analyze the evolution trend of ANPSP. This study takes Chongqing as a case study to establish an integrated solution based on the PLUS model, output coefficient model, and GIS technology. The solution can simulate data, identify trends, and identify key control areas under future development scenarios. The results show that the PLUS model can simulate land use types at the provincial scale with high accuracy, with a Kappa coefficient of around 0.9. The land use type changes show that urban expansion has occupied a large amount of cultivated land. From 2000 to 2020, the proportion of high-load areas with TN pollution load levels was 4.93%, 5.02%, and 4.73%, respectively. Under the two scenarios in 2030–2050, the number of high-load areas decreased, and the average load level decreased from west to east. Sensitivity analysis found that risk changes are more sensitive to the increase in fertilizer application. When the TN and TP output coefficients are increased, the number of towns with increased levels is greater than those with decreased levels when the output coefficients are decreased. Sensitivity analysis can better identify key pollution control areas. The areas sensitive to changes in farmers’ behavior are mainly the Hechuan District, Nanchuan District, Qijiang District, Jiangjin District, and Bishan District. This study provides data and decision-making support for rural green development and water environment improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Degradation and Management Strategies: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture)

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