-
Land Administration Maintenance: A Review of the Persistent Problem and Emerging Fit-for-Purpose Solutions -
Variation in Temperature, Precipitation, and Vegetation Greenness Drive Changes in Seasonal Variation of Avian Diversity in an Urban Desert Landscape -
Major United States Land Use as Influenced by an Altering Climate: A Spatial Econometric Approach -
Stream Temperature and Environment Relationships in a Semiarid Riparian Corridor -
Assessing Land Dynamics and Sustainability on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua
Journal Description
Land
Land
is an international and cross-disciplinary, peer-reviewed, open access journal of land use/land change, land management, land system science, landscape, soil-sediment-water systems, urban contexts, urban-rural interactions, land–climate interactions, etc., published monthly online by MDPI. The International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE), European Land-use Institute (ELI), and Landscape Institute (LI) are affiliated with Land, and their members receive a discount on the article processing charge.
- 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), AGRICOLA, AGRIS, GeoRef, RePEc, and many other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Environmental Studies) / CiteScore - Q2 (Nature and Landscape Conservation)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors approximately 12.4 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.4 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2021).
- 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:
3.395 (2020)
;
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.233 (2020)
Latest Articles
Evolution of Sediment Parameters after a Beach Nourishment
Land 2021, 10(9), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090914 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
A methodology for monitoring the behaviour and size of sand after a beach nourishment process is presented herein. Four sampling campaigns (before and just after the nourishment, after six months and one year later) were performed on four beaches of the Gulf of
[...] Read more.
A methodology for monitoring the behaviour and size of sand after a beach nourishment process is presented herein. Four sampling campaigns (before and just after the nourishment, after six months and one year later) were performed on four beaches of the Gulf of Cadiz (Spain). D50 and sorting size parameters were analysed. Among the results, it should be noted that differences of up to 20% between native and nourished sand values disappear only one year after the nourishment.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Modifications and Impacts on Coastal Areas)
Open AccessArticle
Driving Forces for the Spatial Reconstruction of Rural Settlements in Mountainous Areas based on Structural Equation Models: A Case Study in Western China
Land 2021, 10(9), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090913 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
Rural settlement development in mountainous areas is the key to eliminating global hunger and poverty. The spatial reconstruction of rural settlements in mountainous areas can promote rural development in mountainous areas. In this study, the Panxi area—a typical mountainous area in China—was chosen
[...] Read more.
Rural settlement development in mountainous areas is the key to eliminating global hunger and poverty. The spatial reconstruction of rural settlements in mountainous areas can promote rural development in mountainous areas. In this study, the Panxi area—a typical mountainous area in China—was chosen as the study area. The driving forces for the spatial reconstruction of rural settlements in mountainous areas were explored from the perspective of peasant households by combining participatory rural appraisal (PRA) with structural equation modeling (SEM). Results showed that: (1) 62.03% of the 266 peasant households included were willing to have spatial reconstruction, indicating that most peasant households in mountainous areas have a very strong intention towards the spatial reconstruction of rural settlements. (2) Infrastructure, medical conditions, living environment, farming culture, and dietary habits significantly influenced the reconstruction intention of peasant households. In contrast, development opportunities, place attachment, language, and living mode each had a slight influence. (3) Geological disasters were the main driving force for the spatial reconstruction of rural settlements in mountainous areas, whilst the driving force of living cohesion was the smallest. This study provides insights for future planning and construction of rural settlements in the Panxi area and spatial reconstruction practices. It has important practical significance for overcoming poverty and realizing rural revitalization in mountainous areas.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Development: Strategies, Good Practices, and Opportunities Ⅱ)
Open AccessArticle
Applying SBM-GPA Model to Explore Urban Land Use Efficiency Considering Ecological Development in China
by
, , , , , , , and
Land 2021, 10(9), 912; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090912 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
Rapid urban sprawl is a key characteristic of the current urban land use changes in China. It leads, however, to inefficient land use and spatial imbalance. This paper conducts a quantitative analysis of the urban land use efficiency (ULUE) at a provincial scale
[...] Read more.
Rapid urban sprawl is a key characteristic of the current urban land use changes in China. It leads, however, to inefficient land use and spatial imbalance. This paper conducts a quantitative analysis of the urban land use efficiency (ULUE) at a provincial scale in China, based on the SBM-GPA integration model, and using the datasets of 31 province-level regions (provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions) in Chinese mainland from 2008 to 2017. The analysis demonstrates that: (1) the proportion of provinces reaching the production frontiers is low, but there are possibilities to improve for the ULUE; (2) the provincial ULUE strongly correlates to the type of agglomeration characteristics, and the degree of agglomeration tends to increase year by year; (3) there are three types of clusters of provincial ULUE values: high, medium, and low; (4) the gravity center of the provincial ULUE is located in Henan Province, where values are relatively stable and limited changes occur. The novelty of this research is that it applies spatial modeling to characterize and analyze ULUE spatial and temporal variations and clusters in China. Practically, this can better support decision making in urban land use management.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land Management and Land Tenure: Experiences for the Future)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
The Hollowing Process of Rural Communities in China: Considering the Regional Characteristic
Land 2021, 10(9), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090911 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
This study examined the hollowing process of rural communities, which is caused by migration, and explored its influence factors based on Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) analysis in an attempt to explore effect of regional characteristic. To capture the essence of rural hollowing, a
[...] Read more.
This study examined the hollowing process of rural communities, which is caused by migration, and explored its influence factors based on Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) analysis in an attempt to explore effect of regional characteristic. To capture the essence of rural hollowing, a logical framework was constructed. The rural hollowing was then evaluated based on an index system. Based on the assessment, HLM analysis was conducted to explore the influence factors at the household and community levels. The results demonstrated significant differences of rural hollowing among villages. In addition, the hollowing was not only affected by household-level variables but also by community-level variables. Further, for rural hollowing, the household-level variable was endogenous drive, while the community-level variables were exogenous drive. Among all the endogenous influence factors, population quality was the most important, and thus the loss of highly educated talents will aggravate the trend of rural hollowing and hinder the sustainable development of the countryside. Furthermore, in addition to promoting economic development and its diversification to alleviate rural hollowing, improving the quality of the population is more important to the sustainable development of the countryside in China.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
How Do Observable Characteristics of Post-Mining Forests Affect Their Attractiveness for Recreation?
Land 2021, 10(9), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090910 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
Afforestation is a popular practice of the recovery of landscape affected by open-cast coal mining. We investigated what impact the observable characteristics of restored forests have on their attractiveness for recreation framed as a one hour walk in a respective type of forest.
[...] Read more.
Afforestation is a popular practice of the recovery of landscape affected by open-cast coal mining. We investigated what impact the observable characteristics of restored forests have on their attractiveness for recreation framed as a one hour walk in a respective type of forest. In this study, we elaborate on some of the observable characteristics which have been previously found in the literature to affect the perceived attractiveness of outdoor environments. Environmental preference data were collected online using a quasi-representative sample of affected and control populations of the Czech Republic (N = 869). The questionnaire employed visual representations of typical reclaimed forest sites on spoil heaps in the Sokolov mining district. A mediation analysis revealed that forests growing in post-mining areas are perceived more negatively than the typical commercial spruce forest due to their lower permeability, lower level of stewardship, and perceived low safety. However, there are differences in observed characteristics also between different types of restored forests, even when controlling the effect of forest age. The results show for forestry practice that while some of the observed characteristics change by themselves with the increasing age of the forest (permeability, perceived safety, and naturalness of successional forests), improvement in others requires targeted after-care (perceived stewardship). In any case, our results are promising in that they imply that the recreational value of restored forests in post-mining areas may further increase in the future.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Landscape Restoration: Strategies, Challenges, and Impacts)
Open AccessArticle
China’s Wildlife Management Policy Framework: Preferences, Coordination and Optimization
Land 2021, 10(9), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090909 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to global concerns about the delicate relationship between humans and wildlife. However, quantitative research on the elements of a wildlife management policy framework in a certain country is lacking. In this study, we try to close this
[...] Read more.
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to global concerns about the delicate relationship between humans and wildlife. However, quantitative research on the elements of a wildlife management policy framework in a certain country is lacking. In this study, we try to close this research gap by analyzing the formulation preferences of key elements in the wildlife management policy framework, as well as the coordination between them, in China, which is generally regarded as a main wildlife consumption country. Based on the content analysis of China’s wildlife management policy documents, with a three-dimensional analytical framework, we find that: China’s wildlife management policy framework prefers the use of compulsory tools, while voluntary and mixed tools are not fully used; adequate attention is paid to the biodiversity conservation objectives and attention is paid to the objectives of public health protection and wildlife welfare, while the utilization objective is restricted to some extent; government sectors, industry, citizens, and non-governmental organizations are involved in wildlife management policies and the degrees of participation of citizens and non-governmental organizations are relatively low. In conclusion, we draw wider implications for China’s wildlife management policy formulation, arguing for a more coordinated and participatory policy framework.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Protection and Habitat Management: Practice and Perspectives)
Open AccessArticle
Regional Spatial Structure and Land Use: Evidence from Bogotá and 17 Municipalities
Land 2021, 10(9), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090908 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
The expansion of urban areas and the growth of the urban population are challenges faced by different territorial administrations across the world. In this context, the objective of this document is to analyze land occupation and the distribution of land uses in Bogotá
[...] Read more.
The expansion of urban areas and the growth of the urban population are challenges faced by different territorial administrations across the world. In this context, the objective of this document is to analyze land occupation and the distribution of land uses in Bogotá and 17 municipalities. Therefore, a methodology is proposed in which an accessibility indicator models the spatial structure of the territory based on employment concentrations (the sum of the number of jobs weighted by the distance between each pair of municipalities). Then, the analysis of land use is carried out using a multinomial model, with the accessibility indicator as its principal explanatory variable. In such a way, it is possible to estimate the effects associated with the location decisions of economic agents in the territory. The results will enable policy makers to identify location and relocation patterns; we found evidence of a greater probability of commercial uses within urban areas and a relocation of industrial activity towards rural areas in some municipalities.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Use Planning/Land Planning)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Linking Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis and Circuit Theory to Identify Ecological Security Pattern in the Loess Plateau: Taking Shuozhou City as an Example
Land 2021, 10(9), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090907 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
Located in an ecologically fragile area in China’s eastern part of the Loess Plateau, Shuozhou City has faced environmental challenges imposed by frequent urban expansion and mining activities in recent years. As ecological security patterns (ESP) identification and optimization are significant to regional
[...] Read more.
Located in an ecologically fragile area in China’s eastern part of the Loess Plateau, Shuozhou City has faced environmental challenges imposed by frequent urban expansion and mining activities in recent years. As ecological security patterns (ESP) identification and optimization are significant to regional biodiversity and ecosystem services, this study combined morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and circuit theory to construct and optimize regional ESP. Results show the number and area of ecological sources in the study area decreased from 21 to 20 between 2010 and 2017. The total area of ecological sources fell from 1923.35 km2 to 1869.37 km2, with their proportion in the study area dropped from 18.14% to 17.64%. From 2010 to 2017, the number of obstacles increases from 63 to 80, mainly consisting of farmland, unused land, transportation land, and construction land. The area of obstacles reached 10.17 km2 in 2017. A framework of “one protection area, two regulation areas, and three restoration areas” is proposed to optimize the ESP of the study zone. This study explored a combination of ESP analysis tools and focused on improving regional ecosystem service and biodiversity. It will support local urban planning and provide a reference for similar studies in resource-based cities.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability)
Open AccessArticle
Comparison of Models for Spatial Distribution and Prediction of Cadmium in Subtropical Forest Soils, Guangdong, China
Land 2021, 10(9), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090906 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
►▼
Show Figures
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal and found in various soils, including forest soils. The great spatial heterogeneity in soil Cd makes it difficult to determine its distribution. Both traditional soil surveys and spatial modeling have been used to study the natural distribution
[...] Read more.
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal and found in various soils, including forest soils. The great spatial heterogeneity in soil Cd makes it difficult to determine its distribution. Both traditional soil surveys and spatial modeling have been used to study the natural distribution of Cd. However, traditional methods are highly labor-intensive and expensive, while modeling is often encumbered by the need to select the proper predictors. In this study, based on intensive soil sampling (385 soil pits plus 64 verification soil pits) in subtropical forests in Yunfu, Guangdong, China, we examined the impacting factors and the possibility of combining existing soil information with digital elevation model (DEM)-derived variables to predict the Cd concentration at different soil depths along the landscape. A well-developed artificial neural network model (ANN), multi-variate analysis, and principal component analysis were used and compared using the same dataset. The results show that soil Cd concentration varied with soil depth and was affected by the top 0–20 cm soil properties, such as soil sand or clay content, and some DEM-related variables (e.g., slope and vertical slope position, varying with depth). The vertical variability in Cd content was found to be correlated with metal contents (e.g., Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni) and Cd contents in the layer immediately above. The selection of candidate predictors differed among different prediction models. The ANN models showed acceptable accuracy (around 30% of predictions have a relative error of less than 10%) and could be used to assess the large-scale Cd impact on environmental quality in the context of intensifying industrialization and climate change, particularly for ecosystem management in this region or other regions with similar conditions.
Full article

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Evaluation of Tourism Development Potential on Provinces along the Belt and Road in China: Generation of a Comprehensive Index System
Land 2021, 10(9), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090905 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
The evaluation of tourism development potential (TDP) is the crucial foundation and critical step for sustainable regional tourism development. Prior studies mainly evaluate TDP through the univariate potential model and the multi-indicator descriptive evaluation. However, these two methods have only limited effectiveness for
[...] Read more.
The evaluation of tourism development potential (TDP) is the crucial foundation and critical step for sustainable regional tourism development. Prior studies mainly evaluate TDP through the univariate potential model and the multi-indicator descriptive evaluation. However, these two methods have only limited effectiveness for the destination’s TDP in the context of the mesoscale level. Thus, this study aims to develop an effective multi-dimensional mesoscale to evaluate the destination’s TDP and construct a potential index model. Based on the literature review, this study develops four rule layers (tourism supply and consumption (X1), the demand and purchasing power of tourist source (X2), development value of destination resources (X3), and the contribution of the destination’s tourism industry (X4)) and 31 factor layers. All the factor layers are then assigned values based on the provincial statistics in China in 2019. Through SPSS 24.0, the current study uses the principal component analysis (PCA) to construct a provincial TDP index model for the research area: . The results show significant regional differences in the TDP index of the provinces along the Belt and Road (study area) in China. Among them, Guangdong has the most extensive TDP index, Qinghai has the smallest TDP index. The study also uses ArcGIS 10.2 for the function of kernel density analysis to visualize provincial TDP and finds significant spatial differences and a central-edge distribution pattern across provinces.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Issues and Their Impact on Tourism Development)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Analysis of Forest Landscape Restoration Based on Landscape Connectivity: A Case Study in the Yi River Basin, China, during 2015–2020
Land 2021, 10(9), 904; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090904 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
Landscape connectivity has widely been recognized as one of the key objectives in studies of forest landscape management, ecological conservation and construction. Protecting virgin forests and afforesting marginal cropland are two long-term ecological projects in China. However, along with rapid urbanization and industrialization
[...] Read more.
Landscape connectivity has widely been recognized as one of the key objectives in studies of forest landscape management, ecological conservation and construction. Protecting virgin forests and afforesting marginal cropland are two long-term ecological projects in China. However, along with rapid urbanization and industrialization in China, the relationship between landscape connectivity and forest landscape restoration (FLR) has not been fully explored. The emergent question concerns whether the connectivity of a restored forest landscape could benefit the local flora and fauna. We evaluated the status of FLR in the Yi River watershed based on remote sensing images during 2015–2020. The forest landscape connectivity (FLC) was investigated using landscape connectivity indicators, applying the theory of landscape connectivity. We also examined the variations of FLC under different landform types (hills and low mountains) according to distance threshold values ranging from 100 m to 20,000 m. The most appropriate distance thresholds for analyzing FLC in hills and low mountains are 500 m and 100 m, respectively. The results showed that in this period, the FLC in low mountains was increased, whereas that of hills was decreased. The contributions for reforested patches on the improvement of the FLC were evaluated. In hills, patches that made “very high” and “high” contributions to improve the FLC occupied 15.6% of the total reforested area, whereas the proportion in low mountains was 25.5%. The results indicated that although rainfed cropland patches have been converted to forest patches, some of them have made small contributions to the FLC. Through this case study, we hope to have confirmed that landscape connectivity analysis could be used as a criterion for selecting important patches in the planning of FLR. Moreover, we have introduced this implementable method for future ecological restoration management programs.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Landscape Restoration: Strategies, Challenges, and Impacts)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessFeature PaperReview
Land Use Transitions: Progress, Challenges and Prospects
Land 2021, 10(9), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090903 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
The study of land use transition has generally become an important breakthrough point to deeply understand the human-land interaction and reveal major socio-economic development issues and related environmental effects. Attempting to provide scientific support for sustainable land use and environmental management, this review
[...] Read more.
The study of land use transition has generally become an important breakthrough point to deeply understand the human-land interaction and reveal major socio-economic development issues and related environmental effects. Attempting to provide scientific support for sustainable land use and environmental management, this review systematically analyzes the overall picture, development trends, key fields and hot topics of land use transition research in the past two decades from a comprehensive perspective, which incorporates two complementary parts including the systematic quantitative literature review (based on CiteSpace) and the traditional literature review. The results reveal that: a. current research presents three characteristics, i.e., focusing on complex social issues, driven by realistic demand, and research branches becoming clearer and more systematic; b. there are four key fields and hot topics in land use transition research, i.e., i. theories and hypothesis of land use transition; ii. measuring land use transition; iii. the impacts of land use transition on “social-economic-ecological” system; iv. drivers and regulation of land use transition. However, challenges remain, current land use transition research is still to some extent fragmented, and it should be enriched by integrating with land system science. The dominant morphology biased should be redressed by underlining the recessive morphology transition process. Meanwhile, new techniques and methods are necessary to observe, track, monitor and model the recessive attributes. Finally, distant drivers of land use transition should not be ignored in this rapidly globalizing world.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use Transitions under Rapid Urbanization)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Identifying the Determinants of Nongrain Farming in China and Its Implications for Agricultural Development
by
and
Land 2021, 10(9), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090902 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
Promoted by rapid industrialization and urbanization, the structure and spatial pattern of farming in China has changed greatly, and nongrain farming (NGF) has become more common. However, excessive NGF in some areas is not conducive to sustainable agricultural development and threatens China’s food
[...] Read more.
Promoted by rapid industrialization and urbanization, the structure and spatial pattern of farming in China has changed greatly, and nongrain farming (NGF) has become more common. However, excessive NGF in some areas is not conducive to sustainable agricultural development and threatens China’s food security. In this study, we briefly analyze the stage characteristics of NGF in China and investigate the spatial agglomeration of NGF and its influencing factors from the perspective of spatial econometrics. The results showed that the average annual growth rate of NGF in China from 1985 to 2019 was 0.64%, and there was a growing positive spatial correlation between NGF in each province. Spatial Durbin model (SDM) estimation showed that both the per capita disposable income of local rural residents and the local urbanization rate promoted the development of NGF, while local per capita farmland, road density, and the functional orientation of the main grain-producing areas had a negative impact on NGF. The per capita disposable income of rural households and urbanization rate in neighboring areas had a promoting effect on the development of NGF, while road density in neighboring areas was negatively correlated with NGF. Ultimately, some targeted measures are proposed to promote China’s agricultural development in the new era.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use Transitions under Rapid Urbanization)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Analysis of the Spatial Variations of Determinants of Gully Agricultural Production Transformation in the Chinese Loess Plateau and Its Policy Implications
Land 2021, 10(9), 901; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090901 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
Exploring the gully agricultural production transformation and its influencing factors is of considerable significance to the evolution of the human–land relationship and multifunctional transformation of gully agriculture in the context of new development. This paper tries to reveal intensive land use under the
[...] Read more.
Exploring the gully agricultural production transformation and its influencing factors is of considerable significance to the evolution of the human–land relationship and multifunctional transformation of gully agriculture in the context of new development. This paper tries to reveal intensive land use under the background of population contraction in the Chinese Loess Plateau and its transformation trend by defining the gully agricultural production transformation (GAPT). Given the representativeness of land-use change in the loess hilly and gully region (LHGR) was taken as a case study, and ArcGIS spatial analysis techniques and geographically and temporally weighted regression model (GTWR) were used to detect the spatio-temporal differentiation pattern and influencing factors. The results show that: (1) GAPT shifts from the high elevation area of 1000–1300 m to the low elevation area of <1000 m, and the transformation process remains within the range of slope 0–20° and topographic relief between 40 m and 180 m. (2) GTWR coupled with time non-stationary and spatial heterogeneity has a better fitting effect, which verifies its applicability in the study of GAPT. Social and economic factors were the main driving forces of GAPT in Yan’an City in the past 20 years, and they were increasing year by year. (3) The spatial-temporal distribution of the driving factors of the agricultural production transformation in Yan’an City is different. The intensity of the population factor and the slope factor is always in the dominant position, and the high value distribution area of the land average GDP factor forms a funnel-shaped pattern of “core edge” in the north and the central and western regions, and its changes tend to “flow” to the core. (4) The gully agricultural production transformation can reflect the general law of rural land use transition in gully areas, and thereby provide policy ideas for gully development. Overall, this study’s content can provide scientific guidance for the sustainable development of gully agriculture and the revitalization of watershed and land consolidation in gully areas.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mountains under Pressure)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Interaction between Tourism Carrying Capacity and Coastal Squeeze in Mazatlan, Mexico
Land 2021, 10(9), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090900 - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
While many coastal areas are affected by coastal squeeze, quantitative estimations of this phenomenon are still limited. Ambiguity concerning the degree of coastal squeeze, combined with a lack of knowledge on its interaction with human activities may lead to inadequate and unsuccessful management
[...] Read more.
While many coastal areas are affected by coastal squeeze, quantitative estimations of this phenomenon are still limited. Ambiguity concerning the degree of coastal squeeze, combined with a lack of knowledge on its interaction with human activities may lead to inadequate and unsuccessful management responses. The objective of the present research was to quantify the degree of coastal squeeze on the highly urbanized coast of Mazatlan, Mexico, and to investigate the relationship between the development of tourism and coastal squeeze from various time perspectives. The Drivers, Exchanges, States of the environment, Consequences, and Responses (DESCR) framework was applied to identify the chronic, negative consequences of dense tourism in the area, together with the assessment of coastal squeeze. A Tourism Load Capacity (TLC) estimation was made and correlated with the DESCR results, showing that coastal squeeze is inversely correlated with tourism load in Mazatlan. The medium-intensity coastal squeeze currently experienced in Mazatlan requires interventions to avoid severe degradation of the ecosystem on which the local tourism industry relies, for which immediate, long-term, and administrative recommendations are given.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Modifications and Impacts on Coastal Areas)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Farmland Rental Participation, Agricultural Productivity, and Household Income: Evidence from Rural China
Land 2021, 10(9), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090899 - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
The rural land rental market is playing an increasingly important role in the agricultural transformation period for developing countries, including China, where rural farmland rental is highly context-specific with the implementation of the collective-owned rural land system; thus, in turn, the access to
[...] Read more.
The rural land rental market is playing an increasingly important role in the agricultural transformation period for developing countries, including China, where rural farmland rental is highly context-specific with the implementation of the collective-owned rural land system; thus, in turn, the access to farmland rental markets for rural households has profoundly influenced their livelihood strategies and income earnings. This paper investigates the income impact differences caused by rural households’ farmland rental participation activities and explores such impact mechanisms by further evaluating the income impacts caused by rental area and household agricultural productivity. Data from the Chinese national household survey were used for estimating the empirical models. Our results show that farmland renting has positively affected households’ on-farm and total income, but there is no significant effect upon off-farm income. According to income differences across quantiles, we find households with high on-farm income are more sensitive about enlarging their farm size by renting farmland, and households with middle and upper-middle off-income may benefit more from renting out their farmland. Furthermore, the joint effects of renting area and household agricultural productivity on lessee households’ farm income is significantly positive. For lessor households, our results indicate that renting out farmland did not improve their off-farm and total income as it may have a limited effect on farm household labor distribution. Our findings suggest that engaging in farmland rental activity can enhance farming productivity efficiency and poverty alleviation among rural households. Under the collective-owned rural land system, it is urgent and necessary to initiate and design incentive policies to encourage highly efficient large farms to expand the farm size and provide smallholders with equal opportunities to engage in farmland rental activities.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Development: Strategies, Good Practices, and Opportunities Ⅱ)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Habitat Restoration: An Applicative Approach to “Biodiversity Heritage Relicts” in Social-Ecological Systems
by
, , , , , and
Land 2021, 10(9), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090898 - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
Many landscapes are the result of interactions between ecological processes, economic activities, and the administrative and political organisation of society. Therefore, as a consequence of human transformations over time, some landscapes may contain residual damaged habitats hosting testimony of past biodiversity that can
[...] Read more.
Many landscapes are the result of interactions between ecological processes, economic activities, and the administrative and political organisation of society. Therefore, as a consequence of human transformations over time, some landscapes may contain residual damaged habitats hosting testimony of past biodiversity that can be called “biodiversity heritage relicts”. From this perspective, the aim of the paper is to describe an applicative approach to habitat restoration in social-ecological landscapes. The approach entails the restoration of vegetation using GIS analysis integrated with field activities and a phytosociological method. The methodology includes expert and stakeholder involvement in order to increase the resilience of the measures over time, thereby consolidating landscape value. The approach was applied in the municipality of Campi Salentina, Province of Lecce, Italy, and the result was the restoration of an important riparian habitat classified under Directive 92/43/EEC as “Salix alba and Populus alba galleries” (code 92A0), which had not previously been recorded in the Province of Lecce. In this case, the project re-established a natural habitat that represented a “biodiversity heritage relict” in the landscape. The paper shows that direct knowledge of the landscape and the ability to identify “biodiversity heritage relicts”, in combination with a phytosociological approach, can enhance the effectiveness of ecological restoration projects. Moreover, social and institutional integration in projects helps ensure the management of the measures over time.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services Design from Single Space Solution to Landscape Vision)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Urban Green Space Arrangement for an Optimal Landscape Planning Strategy for Runoff Reduction
by
and
Land 2021, 10(9), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090897 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
Increased impervious surfaces due to urbanization have reduced evaporation and infiltration into the soil compared with existing natural water cycle systems, which causes various problems, such as urban floods, landslides, and deterioration of water quality. To effectively solve the urban water cycle issue,
[...] Read more.
Increased impervious surfaces due to urbanization have reduced evaporation and infiltration into the soil compared with existing natural water cycle systems, which causes various problems, such as urban floods, landslides, and deterioration of water quality. To effectively solve the urban water cycle issue, green infrastructure using urban green space has emerged to reduce runoff and increase evaporation. It has the advantage of restoring the water cycle system of urban areas by complementing the failure of conventional stormwater treatment systems. However, urban areas under high-density development have limited green space for stormwater treatment. Hence, it is necessary to efficiently utilize street trees and small green spaces to improve the urban water cycle through green space. In this study, we simulated different green space distribution scenarios in the virtual domain to find the optimal strategy of green space planning. Compared to clustered scenarios, dispersed green space distribution scenarios and placing green space downstream were more effective in reducing the runoff amount. The paper provides insights into the considerations for determining green space spatial plan and zoning regulations for stormwater treatment by green infrastructure.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainability and Ecosystem Services through Urban Green Infrastructure)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
The Spatial Distribution Characteristics of the Cultivated Land Quality in the Diluvial Fan Terrain of the Arid Region: A Case Study of Jimsar County, Xinjiang, China
Land 2021, 10(9), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090896 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
Environmental constraints are not only important aspects that affect the cultivated land quality but also necessary factors that shall be considered when evaluating the cultivated land quality scientifically. Moreover, identifying the quality condition of cultivated land accurately is the premise for guaranteeing food
[...] Read more.
Environmental constraints are not only important aspects that affect the cultivated land quality but also necessary factors that shall be considered when evaluating the cultivated land quality scientifically. Moreover, identifying the quality condition of cultivated land accurately is the premise for guaranteeing food security. Based on the case study of diluvial fan terrain in Jimsar County, Xinjiang in the arid region of Northwest China, this study utilizes a geographic information system spatial analysis and a multifactor comprehensive evaluation method and constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system for cultivated land quality on account of three dimensions, namely soil properties, farming conditions, and natural environmental conditions. To reduce the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) effect and improve the accuracy of the quality evaluation results of cultivated land, this study compares the spatial interpolation methods of Inverse Distance Weighted Matrix (IDW), Ordinary Kriging (OK), and Spline Functions (Spline) based on different cultivated land evaluation units. Through the assessment on the comparison results, we finally adopted large-scale cultivated land as the quality evaluation unit of cultivated land and Ordinary Kriging (OK) as the spatial interpolation method. The results indicated that the average grade of the quality index of cultivated land in the diluvial fan terrain of Jimsar County is 6.66 at the middle or lower level; the quality of cultivated land and natural environment conditions reduce with the rise of elevation of the diluvial fan terrain, indicating a vertical zonality differentiation rule; the farming conditions keep sliding from the middle part of diluvial fan terrain to the edge of the diluvial fan terrain and the piedmont slope. The major factors affecting the quality of the cultivated land include the soil capacity, soil pH, soil organic matter, the quantity of straw returning to the field, source of irrigation water, water delivery method, part of the diluvial fan, groundwater level depth, and geomorphic type. Therefore, the measures to improve the quality of the cultivated land are put forward, mainly including improving the soil, carrying out land consolidation projects, and developing highly efficient water-saving irrigation agriculture. This study provides favorable references and directions for the sustainable utilization and quality improvement of cultivated land resources in arid regions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geospatial Techniques in Advancing Land-Change Science and Management)
Open AccessArticle
Unlocking the Relationship between Land Finance and Regional Integration
Land 2021, 10(9), 895; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090895 (registering DOI) - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
Exploring the relationship between land finance and regional integration is of great significance for optimizing the land management system and promoting high-quality development. Previous studies focused on the impact of land finance on regional development, and rarely concerned the role of regional integration
[...] Read more.
Exploring the relationship between land finance and regional integration is of great significance for optimizing the land management system and promoting high-quality development. Previous studies focused on the impact of land finance on regional development, and rarely concerned the role of regional integration on land revenue. This study reveals the internal association mechanisms between land finance and regional integration, which might provide an integrated theoretical and empirical support for the coordinated development between urban land market and regional economy. We firstly provide a theoretically analytical framework for the relationship between the size of land finance, reliance on land finance, and regional integration, and three hypotheses are proposed. On this basis, an econometric analysis is conducted based on the panel data of the urban agglomerations in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River (UAMRYR) from 2003 to 2016. The results show that an increased amount of land finance revenue promotes the level of regional integration. Specifically, for every 1% increase in the size of land finance of UAMRYR, Wuhan city-clusters, and Chang-Zhu-Tan city-clusters, the level of regional integration will increase by 0.000040%, 0.000021%, and 0.000089%, respectively. Besides, the degree of land finance dependence has a negative impact on the level of regional integration. The threshold regression analysis indicates an inverted U–shaped curve could reflect the relationship between the level of regional integration and the degree of land financial dependence. This study argues that the governments in a particular urban agglomeration should clarify the net effect of the size of land finance and their reliance on land finance, and rationally introducing development strategy according to the synergy between land finance and regional integration.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Journal Menu
► ▼ Journal Menu-
- Land Home
- Aims & Scope
- Editorial Board
- Reviewer Board
- Topics Board
- Instructions for Authors
- Special Issues
- Sections
- Article Processing Charge
- Indexing & Archiving
- Editor's Choice Articles
- Most Cited & Viewed
- Journal Statistics
- Journal History
- Journal Awards
- Society Collaborations
- Conferences
- Editorial Office
- 10th Anniversary of Land
Journal Browser
► ▼ Journal BrowserHighly Accessed Articles
Latest Books
E-Mail Alert
News
Topics
Topic in
Atmosphere, Buildings, Land, Remote Sensing, Sustainability
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Editors-in-Chief: Baojie He, Jun YangDeadline: 30 June 2022
Topic in
Architecture, Buildings, Land, Sustainability, Urban Science
Architectures, Materials and Urban Design
Editors-in-Chief: Nikos A. Salingaros, Alexandros A. LavdasDeadline: 15 October 2022
Conferences
Special Issues
Special Issue in
Land
Linking Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Landscape Management
Guest Editors: Peter Mederly, Davina VačkářováDeadline: 31 August 2021
Special Issue in
Land
Application of Spectroscopy and Other Instrumental Methods for Soil
Guest Editor: Maria JerzykiewiczDeadline: 20 September 2021
Special Issue in
Land
Climate Adaptation and Biodiversity Conservation
Guest Editor: Sarah ClementDeadline: 30 September 2021
Special Issue in
Land
Towards Sustainable Land-Water Interactions in the Anthropocene: The Role of Stakeholder Engagement and Participatory Modelling
Guest Editors: Moira Zellner, Juan Carlos Castilla-RhoDeadline: 10 October 2021



