Search Results (39)

Land consolidation (LC) is a sustainability-oriented policy tool designed to address land fragmentation, inefficient spatial organization, and ecological degradation in rural areas. This research proposes a Production–Living–Ecological (PLE) spatial utilization efficiency evaluation system, based on an integrated methodological framework combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Entropy Weight Method (EWM), Attribute-Weighting Method (AWM), Linear Weighted Sum Method (LWSM), Threshold-Verification Coefficient Method (TVCM), Jenks Natural Breaks (JNB) classification, and the Obstacle Degree Model (ODM). The framework is applied to Qian County, located in the Guanzhong Plain in Shaanxi Province. The results reveal three key findings: (1) PLE efficiency exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity. Production efficiency shows a spatial pattern characterized by high values in the central region that gradually decrease toward the surrounding areas. In contrast, the living efficiency demonstrates higher values in the eastern and western regions, while remaining relatively low in the central area. Moreover, ecological efficiency shows a marked advantage in the northern region, indicating a distinct south–north gradient. (2) Integrated efficiency consolidation potential zones present distinct spatial distributions. Preliminary consolidation zones are primarily located in the western region; priority zones are concentrated in the south; and intensive consolidation zones are clustered in the central and southeastern areas, with sporadic distributions in the west and north. (3) Five primary obstacle factors hinder land use efficiency: intensive utilization of production land (PC1), agricultural land reutilization intensity (PC2), livability of living spaces (PC4), ecological space security (PC7), and ecological space fragmentation (PC8). These findings provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for formulating tar-gated LC strategies, optimizing rural spatial structures, and advancing sustainable development in similar regions. Full article

Urban heat islands (UHIs) present a growing environmental issue in swiftly urbanizing regions, where impermeable surfaces and a lack of vegetation increase local temperatures. This research analyzes the spatial distribution of urban heat islands in Zagreb, Croatia, utilizing remote sensing data, urban planning metrics, and spatial-statistical analysis. Composite rasters of land surface temperature (LST) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were generated from four cloud-free Landsat 9 images obtained in the summer of 2024. The data were consolidated into regulatory planning units through zonal statistics, facilitating the evaluation of the impact of built-up density and designated green space on surface temperatures. A composite UHI index was developed by combining normalized land surface temperature (LST) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) measurements, while spatial clustering was examined with Local Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi*. The results validate spatial patterns of heat intensity, with high temperatures centered in densely built residential areas. This research addresses the gap in past UHI studies by providing a reproducible approach for detecting thermal stress zones, linking satellite data with spatial planning variables. The results support the development of localized climate adaptation methods and highlight the importance of integrating green infrastructure into urban planning methodologies. Full article

Intensive farming in urban suburbs often causes habitat loss, soil erosion, wastewater discharge, and agricultural productivity decline, threatening long-term benefits for the local community. We developed a nature-based solution for sustainable land restoration by establishing “Green Treasure Island” (GTI). The aim of this study is to evaluate the ecological restoration effectiveness of GTI and explore its feasibility and replicability for future applications. The core eco-functional zone of GTI—a 7 hm² forested wetland—embedded a closed-loop framework that integrates land consolidation, ecological restoration, and sustainable land utilization. The forested wetland efficiently removed 65% and 74% of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, raised flood control capacity by 22%, and attracted 48 bird species. Additionally, this biophilic recreational space attracted over 3400 visitors in 2022, created green jobs, and promoted local green agricultural product sales. Through adaptive management and nature education activities, GTI evolved into a landmark that represents local natural–social characteristics and serves as a publicly accessible natural park for both rural and urban residents. This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating GTI for improving ecosystem services, providing a practical, low-cost template that governments and local managers can replicate in metropolitan rural areas worldwide to meet both ecological and development goals. Full article

Comprehensive land consolidation (CLC) significantly impacts farmers’ sustainable development, particularly in southwestern mountainous areas with limited alternative livelihood options. However, existing studies have rarely considered the impact of CLC on farmers’ livelihoods under different terrain gradients in mountainous areas. Therefore, this study employs elevation, slope, and the terrain position index to divide terrain gradient zones. Based on 307 responses from household survey data, this study measures the changes in farmers’ livelihood capital and livelihood strategies before and after CLC and analyzes the heterogeneity of the impact of CLC under different terrain gradients. The results show the following: (1) The growth of farmers’ livelihood capital and the net effect of CLC showed the terrain gradient effect of medium-terrain areas > low-terrain areas > high-terrain areas. (2) Traditional agricultural types are transitioning to modern agricultural types and agriculture multi-employment types, while agriculture multi-employment types are shifting to non-agriculture multi-employment types. (3) The direct impact of CLC on livelihood transformation is significant in the low-terrain areas, whereas in the medium-terrain and high-terrain areas, the effects are primarily indirect through livelihood factors. This study can provide suggestions for the sustainable development of farmers in different topographic gradients in the Anning River basin. Full article

As an important ecological barrier and economic belt in China, the sustainable development of the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is of great significance to national ecological security and regional economic balance. Based on the coupled and coordinated development analysis of the water–soil–energy–carbon (W-L-E-C) system in the provinces of the Yellow River Basin from 2002 to 2022, this study systematically analyzed the interaction relationship among the various factors through WLECNI index assessment, factor identification, and driving factor exploration. Thus, it fully reveals the spatiotemporal evolution law of regional coordinated development and its internal driving mechanism. It is found that the coordinated development of the W-L-E-C system in different provinces of the Yellow River Basin presents significant spatiotemporal differentiation, and its evolution process is influenced by multiple factors. It is found that the coordination of the YRB presents a significant spatial difference, and Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi, as high coordination areas, have achieved significant improvement in coordination, through ecological restoration and clean energy replacement, arable land intensification, and industrial water-saving technology, respectively. Shandong, Henan, and Shanxi in the middle coordination zone have made some achievements in industrial greening and water-saving technology promotion, but they are still restricted by industrial carbon emissions and land resource pressure. The Ningxia and Gansu regions with low coordination are slow to improve their coordination due to water resource overload and inefficient energy utilization. Barrier factor analysis shows that the water resources utilization rate (W4), impervious area (L4), energy consumption per unit GDP (E1), and carbon emissions from energy consumption (C3) are the core factors restricting coordination. Among them, the water quality compliance rate (W5) of Shanxi and Henan is very low, and the impervious area (L4) of Shandong is a prominent problem. The interaction analysis of the driving factors showed that there were significant interactions between water resource use and ecological protection (W-E), land resource and energy use (L-E), and carbon emissions and ecosystem (C-E). Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, and Shandong achieved coordinated improvement through “scenic energy + ecological restoration”, cultivated land protection, and industrial greening. Shanxi, Henan, and Ningxia are constrained by the “W-L-E-C” complex obstacles. In the future, the Yellow River Basin should implement the following zoning control strategy: for the areas with high coordination, it should focus on consolidating the synergistic advantages of ecological protection and energy development; water-saving technology and energy consumption reduction measures should be promoted in the middle coordination area. In the low coordination area, efforts should be made to solve the problem of resource overload, and the current situation of low resource utilization efficiency should be improved by improving the utilization rate of recycled water and applying photovoltaic sand control technology. This differentiated governance plan will effectively enhance the level of coordinated development across the basin. The research results provide a decision-making framework of “zoning regulation, system optimization and dynamic monitoring” for the sustainable development of the YRB, and provide a scientific basis for achieving high-quality development of the basin. Full article

This study examines the relationship between the space vitality of rural production, living, and ecology (SVRPLE) and comprehensive land consolidation (CLC), establishing a theoretical foundation for improving SVRPLE in rural areas. Building on this theoretical framework, we employed double-constraint spatial clustering and the three-dimensional magic cube method to zone the study area at the village level, facilitating the determination of CLC objectives and scheduling. We then applied an obstacle diagnosis model to identify key challenges within each zone for enhancing rural space vitality. The results indicate the following: (1) Theoretical analysis reveals the mutually reinforcing relationship between CLC and rural vitality. Efficiency-driven CLC enhances the vitality of rural spaces by optimizing the synergistic interactions between production, living, and ecological spaces. Rural vitality is both the core objective of and the guiding principle for the implementation of CLC. (2) The case study validates the proposed framework—”Vitality Status Evaluation—Vitality Enhancement Zoning—Land Consolidation Guidelines”—as a feasible approach for CLC strategy development based on SVRPLE. The zoning outcomes accurately reflect the unique conditions of different rural villages within the study area, providing a scientific and logical methodology for constructing a context-specific CLC strategy. (3) The zoning results, which incorporate CLC objectives and scheduling, yield differentiated CLC sub-strategies aimed at enhancing SVRPLE, offering both theoretical and practical support for CLC implementation in China, particularly in the ecologically fragile Qinghai Plateau. Overall, our research deepens the understanding of rural vitality enhancement pathways, supplements existing studies on rural vitality, and provides practical guidance for CLC. Full article

The riparian vegetation buffer zone is an important component of riverbank ecosystems, playing a crucial role in soil consolidation and slope protection. In this study, the riparian vegetation buffer zones in the Tongnan section of the Fujiang River Basin were selected as the research object. Surveys and experiments were conducted to assess the species composition and the soil and water conservation effectiveness of the riparian vegetation buffer zone. There are a total of 35 species, mainly comprising angiosperms and ferns. The dominant species include Cynodon dactylon, Setaria viridis, Phragmites australis, Erigeron canadensis, and Melilotus officinalis. The Patrick richness index (R) and Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H) are more significantly influenced by the types of land use in the surrounding area, whereas the impact on the Simpson diversity index (D) and Pielou uniformity index (E) is comparatively less pronounced. When the root diameter is less than 0.2 mm, the tensile strength of Cynodon dactylon roots is the highest. For root diameters larger than 0.2 mm, Melilotus officinalis roots exhibit the highest tensile strength. The presence of plant root systems significantly reduces erosion, delaying the time to reach maximum erosion depth by 1–4 min, decreasing erosion depth by 9–38 mm, and reducing the total amount of erosion by 20.17–58.90%. The anti-scouribility effect of Cynodon dactylon is significantly better than that of Setaria viridis. The root system notably enhances soil shear strength, delaying the shear peak by 0.26–4.8 cm, increasing the shear peak by 4.76–11.37 kPa, and raising energy consumption by 23.76–46.11%. Phragmites australis has the best resistance to shear, followed by Erigeron canadensis, with Melilotus officinalis being the least resistant. Therefore, to balance the anti-scouribility effect and shear resistance of plant roots, it is recommended to use a combination of Cynodon dactylon and Phragmites australis for shallow-rooted and deep-rooted planting. This approach enhances the water and soil conservation capacity of riverbanks. Full article

Non-grain-producing cultivated land (NGPCL) greatly affects sustainable agricultural development and food security, and its consolidation is important. With the Dujiangyan irrigation district as an example, an empirical study of NGPCL consolidation zoning was performed following the idea of “connotation definition and classification—potential identification—consolidation zoning”. On the basis of expert evaluation, NGPCL was classified into three levels according to the degree of damage to cultivated land by crop type. NGPCL was common in the study area, accounting for 53.8% of the total area. The spatial pattern of NGPCL was characterized as “continuous in the south and scattered in the north”. The assessment of theoretical and realistic NGPCL consolidation potentials suggested that areas with medium consolidation potential exhibited a contiguous distribution in the southern part of the study area, whereas it was dispersed in other regions. The proportion of area suitable for consolidation exceeded 40%. Finally, through a multiobjective optimization algorithm, a potential zoning scheme for NGPCL consolidation was constructed. The final experimental results revealed that the areas with medium or high consolidation potential accounted for 97.54% of the total area. This study is useful for supporting the governance of NGPCL. Full article

Groundwater resources are essential for sustaining ecosystems and human activities, especially under the pressures of climate change. This study employed Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to assess the impact of Gully Land Consolidation (GLC) engineering on the groundwater hydrological field of small watersheds in the China Loess Plateau (CLP). Results revealed ample subsurface water storage in backfilled areas, primarily migrating along the original river path owing to topographical limitations. Although the distribution patterns of soil moisture in each backfilling block varied slightly, the boundaries of soil moisture content and variation mainly appeared at depths of 8 m and 20 m underground. Significant moisture variation occurred across the 0–20 m underground layers, suggesting the 8–20 m layer could function as a groundwater collection zone in the study area. Human activities could disturb groundwater, altering migration pathways from the original river path. An optimized “Drainage–Conveyance–Barrier” system is proposed to enhance GLC sustainability, involving upstream groundwater level control, midstream soil moisture management, and downstream hydrological connectivity improvement. These findings carry substantial implications for guiding the planning and execution of GLC engineering initiatives. The novelty of this study lies in its application of ERT to provide a detailed spatial and temporal understanding of soil moisture dynamics in the GLC areas. Future research should focus on factors such as soil types and topographical changes for a comprehensive assessment of GLC’s impact on small watershed groundwater hydrology. Full article

The scientific and reasonable division of geographical units of cultivated land reserve resource areas is an important foundation for comprehensive land consolidation (CLC). Saline–alkali land is an important cultivated land reserve resource, and is significant for ensuring food security. This paper constructs a two-level land consolidation index system for cultivated land reserve resource areas. The Kruskal graph theory clustering algorithm was used to divide the study area into four types of ecological zones. On the basis of ecological zones, the study area was further divided into three types of consolidation units. Finally, the spatial relationship between ecological zoning and land use types was clarified, and the classification distribution of land consolidation potential was determined through an analysis of the CLC of two-level geographical units. Da’an City, Jilin province, China, was selected as the study area. The results of this study show the following: (1) In Da’an City, the conservation priority areas are concentrated in the north, the development priority areas are concentrated in the central and southern areas, and the comprehensive upgrade areas and adjustment rebuilding areas are in the transition zones. (2) The CLC potential trend is low in the north but high in the south in Da’an City. This paper proposes a framework for a geographical unit delineation method for saline–alkali-enriched cultivated land reserve resource zones, and analyzes the spatial layout of ecological protection demands and land consolidation potential in Da’an City. The results and conclusions of this study will provide a reference for CLC in cultivated land reserve resource areas. Full article

Mega land reclamation projects have been carried out on the coral reefs in the South China Sea. Coral sand was used as a backfill material through hydraulic filling, with fill heights ranging from 6 to 10 m. To enhance foundation stability, vibro-flotation and impact rolling have been employed. However, the uneven distribution of coral sand, irregular particle shape, lower single-particle strength, and paucity of engineering cases for reference have posed challenges in evaluating the effectiveness of these foundation treatments. In this study, the effectiveness of vibro-flotation and impact rolling on the densification and bearing capacity of coral sand foundations has been investigated. In situ tests, including the plate load test, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, density measurements, dynamic penetration test (DPT), and settlement monitoring, were conducted at four distinct zones: an untreated zone, a vibro-flotation zone at a 5 m depth, a vibro-flotation zone at a 10 m depth, and an impact rolling zone. The findings suggest that coral sand exhibits promising characteristics for foundation construction. Seepage and self-weight consolidation following land reclamation formation significantly enhance the compaction degree of the coral sand foundation, thereby meeting the requirements for areas with lower bearing capacity demands. Both vibro-flotation and impact rolling techniques could significantly enhance the foundation-bearing capacity, with marginal differences between them. Since the machinery is simple and construction speed is quick, the impact rolling method is considered to be the most efficient for the treatment of coral sand foundation. The DPT results suggest that the reinforcement effect of both vibro-flotation and impact rolling on the deep foundation is not as substantial as the surface layers. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing foundation treatments for land reclamation projects on the coral reefs. Full article

Comprehensive land consolidation (CLC) has become an effective tool for promoting the coordinated development of production, living, and ecological spaces (PLES) in rural China. Given the remarkable territorial differentiation, planning strategies that are geared towards local conditions are indispensable for implementing CLC projects. This study employs the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model to simulate the horizontal competition among PLES in Chongqing. The suitability evaluation index system for PLES was developed using natural ecological data, socio-economic data, and land use data from Chongqing Municipality. The results show that: (1) Based on the principles of productivity, livability, and sustainability, the suitability of PLES in Chongqing is classified into highly suitable, moderately suitable, generally suitable, unsuitable, and extremely unsuitable areas. The spatial distribution of suitability across different levels in Chongqing exhibits certain degrees of overlap, intersection, and clustering. (2) Based on the different resistance relationships, 1031 townships in Chongqing were divided into seven types of CLC areas. The northeastern and southeastern regions of Chongqing Municipality exhibit distinct ecological and functional advantages, whereas the northern and western parts of the city are characterized by greater multifunctionality. (3) Tailored CLC measures are suggested for various suitability scenarios, aligning with local conditions and planned developments. The MCR model and PLES theory integrated zoning methods for CLC are practicable and effective, providing a scientific foundation for the construction of land consolidation plans in Chongqing and important references for regional sustainable development. Full article

Clarifying the constituent elements of agricultural land quality, carrying out multi-dimensional quality evaluation of agricultural land, and implementing precise land consolidation and utilization zoning all have important guiding significance for achieving efficient utilization of agricultural land in China. This work analyzed the multi-dimensional evaluation framework of agricultural land based on its comprehensive quality elements and the production, ecological, and health functions. This paper constructed a multi-dimensional agricultural land “production–ecology–health” quality evaluation index system and evaluation criteria, and carried out a multi-dimensional quality evaluation of agricultural land in Huanghua City, Hebei Province, China. The spatial superposition of each dimension′s evaluation results, combined with the logical relationship between agricultural land use and each dimension′s quality, realized the renovation and utilization zoning of agricultural land. The results are as follows: (1) The production, ecological, and health qualities of agricultural land in Huanghua City were below the average and there is spatial variability, whose proportions of grade III and below were 63.12, 66.23, and 69.32%, respectively. In addition, low score areas are mainly located in the south and northwest of the study area. (2) The obstacle factors to quality in different dimensions were different: The obstacle factors to production quality were matter content, soil pH, irrigation guarantee rate, and alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen; groundwater salinity and depth, soil pH, and chemical fertilizers consumption for ecological quality; and groundwater salinity and depth and soil pH for health quality. (3) Agricultural land in Huanghua city is divided into five types of remediation, including 30,277.34 hm² for high efficiency utilization area, 10,576.54 hm² for production quality cultivation area, 34,387.86 hm² for health quality cultivation area, and 56,311.22 hm² for comprehensive consolidation and restoration area; special remediation measures are proposed for different types of zones. The work improves the multi-objective quality evaluation index system for agricultural land and implements differentiated land remediation strategies by identifying obstacle factors through zoning. It provides methodological ideas to improve the efficiency of land remediation and utilization. Full article

Increasing development of infrastructure in Indonesia has driven the need for effective ground improvement methods to accelerate the consolidation of soft soil, which is estimated to occupy around 10% of the country’s land area. A prefabricated vertical drain combined with vacuum preloading is among the most effective methods for this purpose. However, the prefabricated vertical drain creates a smear zone in the surrounding soil area during installation. This study examines the effectiveness of a newly developed mandrel system in reducing the smear zone during prefabricated vertical drain installation. Large-scale consolidation tests at a macro level and microstructure analysis using scanning electron microscopy at a micro level were employed to investigate the effect of soil water content and shear strength. The results show that the water content and shear strength of the soft soil gradually increased in the inner smear zone and transition zone, while both decreased in the radial distance. Furthermore, the soil structure underwent a transformation in which the particle area and pore area became a closed flake structure, and apparent agglomeration occurred. The test results indicate that the newly developed mandrel system can effectively reduce the smear zone. The macro to micro test results demonstrated that the mandrel system is successful in reducing the smear zone effect. Full article

The “Two Mountains” concept of “green water and green mountains are gold and silver mountains” plays an important value-oriented role in the ecological transformation of land consolidation. In this study, Guangxi was divided into five consolidation zones in combination with relevant policies, and the evolution characteristics and change intensity of ecological-economic values before and after the three phases of land consolidation in Guangxi and each consolidation zone in 2010, 2015 and 2020 were explored by bivariate spatial autocorrelation, standard deviation ellipse, and linear regression equation. Finally, the ecological-economic values of each consolidation area, which were obtained separately, were standardized by z-score, and the standardized results were matched by dividing quadrants for analysis. The ecological-economic value matching states of each consolidation area are ecological-economic value coordinated development type (central karst basin area of Guangxi), ecological value imbalance type (southeast plain area and coastal hilly plain area of Guangxi), economic value imbalance type (northwest mountain area of Guangxi) and ecological-economic value low imbalance type (northeast hilly mountain area of Guangxi). The study aims to provide a theoretical basis for the planning and differentiated management of land consolidation in Guangxi and promote the ecological-economic value transformation of the region. Full article