Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid growth of the global economy, and the rapid expansion of human production activities, environmental problems such as climate warming, resource depletion, and population growth have become more and more serious; agriculture is one of the industries most affected by ecological issues. The coordinated development of modern agriculture and ecological protection has become a significant step toward achieving global sustainable development; however, in the face of the complex and changing developmental, environmental, and ecological issues, it is necessary to study the relationship between economic development models and environmental issues from a macro or micro-perspective, as well as effectively measure the level of sustainable development. This theme is open to research on environmental economics and management issues around agricultural green transformation, modern agricultural development, ecosystem protection, environmental protection and governance, and sustainable development, including but not limited to the following topics:

1. Innovation in green agricultural technologies and management.
2. Agricultural carbon footprints, energy conservation, emission reduction, and circular economy.
3. Applications of remote sensing in agriculture and ecology.
4. Valuation and transformation of ecological products.
5. Agricultural and ecological support and constraints of water resources.
6. Sustainable development of agri-food systems.
7. Cropland transformation and ecological conservation.
8. Synergistic studies on environmental protection, climate change, and agricultural production.
9. Ecosystem services in agricultural production.
10. Assessment of policy effects in agriculture and ecology.
11. The role of green finance and trade in enabling agricultural green transformation.

Prof. Dr. Xiuliang Jin
Prof. Dr. Faqin Lin
Dr. Saige Wang
Dr. Huifang Wang
Dr. Pan Jiang
Dr. Xinchen Gu
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agriculture agriculture	3.6	7.8	2011	18.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Earth earth	3.4	5.3	2020	21.3 Days	CHF 1400	Submit
Land land	3.2	6.4	2012	17.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Remote Sensing remotesensing	4.1	9.4	2009	24.3 Days	CHF 2700	Submit

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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31 pages, 4960 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Driving Factors of the Coupling Coordination Among Digital Village Development, Agricultural Modernization, and Agricultural Carbon Emission Efficiency: An Empirical Study Based on a Triple-System Coupling and GTWR Model

by Chunlin Xiong, Ren Fan and Duo Jiang

Agriculture 2026, 16(11), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16111135 - 22 May 2026

Viewed by 358

Abstract

The coupling coordination among digital village development, agricultural modernization, and agricultural carbon emission efficiency is critical for achieving green and high-quality agricultural development. Using panel data of 30 Chinese provinces (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Tibet) from 2011 to 2024, this study [...] Read more.

The coupling coordination among digital village development, agricultural modernization, and agricultural carbon emission efficiency is critical for achieving green and high-quality agricultural development. Using panel data of 30 Chinese provinces (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Tibet) from 2011 to 2024, this study measures agricultural carbon emission efficiency via the super-efficiency SBM model, evaluates the levels of digital village development and agricultural modernization using the entropy method, constructs a coupling coordination degree model to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of the three systems, and employs the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model to reveal the spatiotemporally heterogeneous effects of governmental, market, and social factors on the coupling coordination degree. The results show that: (1) The three systems exhibit unbalanced development. The digital village development index increased from 0.430 to 0.539; agricultural modernization grew slowly from 0.308 to 0.411; and agricultural carbon emission efficiency surged from 0.146 to 0.655. (2) The coupling coordination degree of the three systems rose continuously from 0.382 to 0.661, transitioning from near disorder to primary coordination. Spatially, the eastern and northeastern regions led while the western region lagged, though Xinjiang reached good coordination (0.786) in 2024. (3) The GTWR model reveals that the marketization index (ranging from −0.0362 to 0.0559), agricultural land transfer rate (ranging from −0.1630 to 1.7952), fiscal support for agriculture (ranging from −0.0003 to 0.0232), and agricultural socialized services (ranging from 0.0540 to 1.0460) have positive effects with significant spatial heterogeneity. Rural infrastructure exhibits a “positive in the south, negative in the north” pattern (ranging from −0.0019 to 0.0012), while the overall social consumption level (ranging from −0.9680 to 0.6548) exerts a negative inhibiting effect. These findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the spatial heterogeneity of the coupling coordination among the three systems and emphasize that differentiated, regionally tailored strategies are key to promoting green and high-quality agricultural development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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25 pages, 5611 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Static Ditching Performance Analysis and Experiment of Horizontal Ditching Device for Salix Psammophila Sand Barriers

by Feixu Zhang, Fei Liu, Xuan Zhao, Hongbin Bai, Wenxue Dong, Rifeng Guo, Haoran Jiang, Qihao Wan, Yunong Ma and Yarong Zhang

Agriculture 2026, 16(5), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16050617 - 7 Mar 2026

Viewed by 436

Abstract

To address the complex dynamic mechanisms and lack of static operation data in trench-digging for transverse planting of Salix psammophila sand barriers, a transverse trench-digging device was designed. Based on the discrete element method, the Hertz–Mindlin with JKR Cohesion model was used to [...] Read more.

To address the complex dynamic mechanisms and lack of static operation data in trench-digging for transverse planting of Salix psammophila sand barriers, a transverse trench-digging device was designed. Based on the discrete element method, the Hertz–Mindlin with JKR Cohesion model was used to simulate sandy soil. The Box–Behnken experiment was adopted to optimize the single auger structure with helix angle and soil-cutting angle as factors and trench depth and working torque as indices, yielding the optimal parameters of 30° soil-cutting angle and 20.37° helix angle (5.52 cm trench depth, 2.6 N·m maximum torque). The optimized auger was integrated into the device, and a further Box–Behnken experiment was conducted under a 20 cm fixed descending depth of the lifting platform. With auger rotation speed, shaft spacing and lifting speed as factors, and trench depth, soil compaction and Salix psammophila insertion depth as indices, the optimal operating parameters were determined as 257.25 r/min, 7 cm and 9 cm/s, corresponding to 6.7 cm trench depth, 33.37 kPa soil compaction and 14.87 cm insertion depth. This study clarifies the effects of auger and operation parameters on trench-digging quality, provides a basis for the design and parameter matching of dynamic continuous operation equipment, and offers a reference for the R&D of mechanized transverse planting equipment for Salix psammophila sand barriers, which is of practical value for reducing sand control costs and improving efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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17 pages, 425 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Does Rural E-Commerce Development in China Facilitate Rural Households’ Green Production Practices, Taking Chemical Fertilizer Reduction as an Example?

by Yahui Deng, Haibo Chen and Mo Chen

Agriculture 2026, 16(2), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16020162 - 9 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 544

Abstract

Rural e-commerce has spurred profound changes in rural production and living patterns. Taking the policy of E-commerce Entering Rural Areas as a quasi-natural experiment, based on the data from fixed observation points in rural China, this paper examines how rural e-commerce development affects [...] Read more.

Rural e-commerce has spurred profound changes in rural production and living patterns. Taking the policy of E-commerce Entering Rural Areas as a quasi-natural experiment, based on the data from fixed observation points in rural China, this paper examines how rural e-commerce development affects rural households’ green production practices. The results show that (1) while rural e-commerce has generally led to a 5% increase in farmers’ chemical fertilizer use, its promoting effect on farmers’ chemical fertilizer input has been gradually weakening over time. (2) Crop planting types moderate the relationship between rural e-commerce and farmers’ fertilizer input behaviors. For farmers mainly planting food crops, rural e-commerce increases their chemical fertilizer use by 6.87%, while for those mainly planting cash crops, rural e-commerce reduces their chemical fertilizer use by 4.25%. (3) Mechanism analysis reveals that service outlet construction and e-commerce training for farmers are the main channels through which rural e-commerce drives farmers to increase fertilizer input, while brand cultivation is a channel through which rural e-commerce inhibits farmers’ fertilizer input, and this influence channel only exists among farmers mainly planting cash crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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25 pages, 1665 KB  

Open AccessReview

Advancing Life-Cycle Assessment for Evaluating Sustainable Agrifood Systems

by Jing Xiao and Yi Yang

Agriculture 2025, 15(24), 2561; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15242561 - 11 Dec 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1761

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has long been applied to industrial systems but is increasingly recognized for its role in evaluating the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems. However, agricultural systems differ significantly from industrial systems in important ways that, if not properly accounted for, [...] Read more.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has long been applied to industrial systems but is increasingly recognized for its role in evaluating the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems. However, agricultural systems differ significantly from industrial systems in important ways that, if not properly accounted for, would lead to misleading estimates, necessitating modifications in many cases to the traditional LCA framework. This study reviewed several key differences of agricultural systems, including land use constraints, spatial heterogeneity, and multifaceted co-products. Through a systematic literature search conducted in Web of Science (2005–2024), we identified relevant studies on indirect land use change (iLUC), spatial variability, and biogeochemical modeling in agriculture. Our findings reveal that incorporating iLUC into LCA can lead to significant changes in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions estimates, with variations ranging from 19% to over 1000%, depending on the models and assumptions used. We also developed a decision framework for determining when spatial disaggregation is necessary versus when national or regional averages would suffice and discussed the implications of this for LCA conclusions. Our review highlights the importance of accounting for agricultural system variability, particularly with respect to integrating biogeochemical models and temporal dynamics, which have been largely overlooked in traditional LCA models. Furthermore, we address the challenges of allocating environmental impacts in multifunctional agricultural systems, offering recommendations for more transparent and context-specific approaches. These insights provide LCA practitioners with actionable guidance for improving the accuracy and relevance of agricultural sustainability assessments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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21 pages, 1169 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Economic Impact of the Saiga Population on Pasture Ecosystems and Agriculture

by Gulshat Aiesheva, Aigul Kazambayeva, Saltanat Yessengaliyeva and Kanbibi Nursapina

Earth 2025, 6(4), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth6040155 - 9 Dec 2025

Viewed by 1326

Abstract

This article discusses the issue of pasture degradation in the West Kazakhstan region, which has been caused by a significant rise in the population of saigas (Saiga tatarica). This study aims to quantify agricultural losses and establish the relationship between saiga [...] Read more.

This article discusses the issue of pasture degradation in the West Kazakhstan region, which has been caused by a significant rise in the population of saigas (Saiga tatarica). This study aims to quantify agricultural losses and establish the relationship between saiga numbers and ecosystem changes. The research methodology incorporates field observations, agroecological observations, and mathematical analysis. Correlation and regression analyses were performed. The application of correlation and regression models confirmed a statistically significant relationship between the growth of the saiga population and the decline in hay yield: increasing animal numbers lead to a reduction in pasture productivity. The greatest losses were recorded in the Bokeiordinsky district, where grazing pressure exceeded 62.5%. It was concluded that urgent measures are needed to regulate the saiga population, restore degraded land, and introduce rotational grazing. Mechanisms for the adaptive management of wild populations that take into account the interests of the agricultural sector were proposed. The findings obtained can provide a solid foundation for informed decision-making in agricultural and environmental policy within the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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23 pages, 2326 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Risk Assessment and Management of Potential Invasive Alien Species: A Study on Cenchrus purpureus in the Gaoligong Mountains

by Jiaqi Zhao, Zhuo Cheng, Congli Xu and Chunlin Long

Land 2025, 14(11), 2211; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14112211 - 7 Nov 2025

Viewed by 979

Abstract

This study investigated Cenchrus purpureus in the southern part of the Gaoligong Mountains and quantified its invasion risk using an integrated approach. We combined the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses (DPSIR) model, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). We adopted [...] Read more.

This study investigated Cenchrus purpureus in the southern part of the Gaoligong Mountains and quantified its invasion risk using an integrated approach. We combined the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses (DPSIR) model, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). We adopted non-random sampling techniques to conduct a survey on the cognition, hazards, utilization and management of C. purpureus among 402 respondents from 25 villages. Our results classify C. purpureus as a medium-risk species (Level II). We identified a central socio-ecological dilemma: while 36.1% of communities use it for fodder, 54% report that it causes soil degradation, signaling potential long-term agricultural losses. SEM analysis confirmed that the willingness to manage the invasion is directly influenced by these usage patterns and risk perceptions. The traditional ecological knowledge of Cenchrus purpureus was highly consistent with scientific assessment, validating its use as an early warning indicator. Therefore, our study validates a multidisciplinary framework that integrates models (DPSIR, AHP, SEM) with traditional knowledge for a holistic assessment of C. purpureus invasion. This approach offers a replicable strategy for ecosystem management in global biodiversity hotspots in the mountainous regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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16 pages, 4588 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Design and Experiment of Bionic Film-Lifting Shovel for Residual Film Recycling Machine

by Yan Zhao, Wenzhe Wang, Haojun Wen, Xuegeng Chen, Xinliang Tian, Yuanchao Li and Guangliang Huang

Agriculture 2025, 15(21), 2260; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15212260 - 30 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 865

Abstract

The aim of this study is to improve the film removal rate of a film removal device on a residual film recovery machine and mitigate the soil compaction caused by film removal operations during the residual film recovery process. We designed a bionic [...] Read more.

The aim of this study is to improve the film removal rate of a film removal device on a residual film recovery machine and mitigate the soil compaction caused by film removal operations during the residual film recovery process. We designed a bionic film-lifting shovel by applying the contour curve of the first claw of the North China mole cricket’s front foot to the soil-penetrating portion of the film-lifting tines. Based on agronomic requirements and mechanical analysis of the operation process, the biomimetic blade was developed to break up soil more effectively and lift the residual film more efficiently. The contour features were obtained using high-definition cameras, with the fitting equation guiding the design of the soil-penetrating structure. A three-dimensional model was constructed using SolidWorks. Tensile tests provided the physical parameters of the autumn residual film, enabling the creation of a finite element model using the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion. Simulation comparisons showed that the biomimetic shovel teeth reduced the operating resistance by 9.3% compared to conventional teeth. Soil trench experiments validated these results, demonstrating a 4.24% higher film-lifting rate and average resistance of 411.49 N for the bionic shovel versus 454.70 N for the conventional one. The close match between the experimental and simulation results confirms the effectiveness of the bionic design in meeting the resistance reduction requirements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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26 pages, 4956 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Applying Circuit Theory and Risk Assessment Models to Evaluate High-Temperature Risks for Vulnerable Groups and Identify Control Zones

by Xuanying Chen, Lang Zhang, Qicheng Zhong, Guilian Zhang, Yang Yi, Di Wang and Qingping Zhang

Land 2025, 14(7), 1378; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071378 - 30 Jun 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1643

Abstract

Rapid urban development has exacerbated heat events. Vulnerable groups, due to deficiencies in physical functions and social support, often face higher health risks and survival pressures during heat events. Effectively identifying and assessing the heat risks they face and developing effective management strategies [...] Read more.

Rapid urban development has exacerbated heat events. Vulnerable groups, due to deficiencies in physical functions and social support, often face higher health risks and survival pressures during heat events. Effectively identifying and assessing the heat risks they face and developing effective management strategies still pose many challenges. This study develops a heat risk assessment model based on the “hazard–accessibility–vulnerability” framework, incorporating circuit theory modeling to assess the health benefits of ventilation corridors for vulnerable populations and identifying high-temperature risk areas to better support science-based planning. The results show the following: (1) The urban heat island levels in the study area were classified based on the mean-standard deviation method, identifying that high-level heat islands account for 14.2% of the total area, with surface temperatures in urban built-up areas being significantly higher than in rural areas. (2) Based on the circuit theory model, 54 ventilation corridors were identified and 12 major corridors and 42 minor corridors were determined. (3) Based on the thermal risk assessment model, five residential areas covering 1.45 km² were identified as having the highest thermal risk, and 5.68 km² of residential areas had an imbalance between the ventilation demand and ventilation supply for vulnerable populations. This study innovatively assesses the health benefits of urban ventilation corridors from a social equity perspective and proposes urban renewal strategies such as introducing ventilation corridors, adjusting building layouts, enhancing green infrastructure, and promoting cooling technologies, offering new insights for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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17 pages, 531 KB  

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Can the Chinese Cultural Consumption Pilot Policy Facilitate Sustainable Development in the Agritourism Economy?

by Hanlian Lin, Haibo Chen, Hua Tang and Mo Chen

Agriculture 2025, 15(11), 1117; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15111117 - 22 May 2025

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1551

Abstract

The growing importance of cultural consumption in driving tourism development is reflected in its expanding scale and the simultaneous transformation and upgrading of the cultural industry. This study adopts a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model to leverage the quasi-natural experiment created by China’s national [...] Read more.

The growing importance of cultural consumption in driving tourism development is reflected in its expanding scale and the simultaneous transformation and upgrading of the cultural industry. This study adopts a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model to leverage the quasi-natural experiment created by China’s national cultural consumption pilot policy. Using panel data from 30 provinces spanning the period from 2011 to 2024, we quantitatively assess the policy’s impact on sustainable development within the agritourism economy. Specifically, the study aims to isolate and identify the net effect of the pilot policy on improving the quality and sustainability of agritourism outcomes. Empirical results demonstrate that the implementation of the national cultural consumption pilot policy significantly promotes the development of sustainable agritourism products. Moreover, the policy exerts a notable positive influence on the broader sustainable development of the agritourism economy. These effects are particularly pronounced in the eastern and central regions, while the western region exhibits comparatively weaker impacts. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that the limited effectiveness observed in the western and parts of the central regions may be attributed to constraints such as lower levels of economic development and weaker performance of control variables in promoting sustainability. Overall, this study provides robust empirical evidence supporting the wider implementation and promotion of cultural consumption pilot policies at the national level. The findings offer valuable policy implications for advancing sustainability in the agritourism sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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26 pages, 20750 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Leveraging Text Mining and Network Analysis for the Diffusion of Agricultural Science and Technology Policies in China

by Xiaohe Liang, Yu Wu, Jiajia Liu, Jiayu Zhuang, Tong Yuan, Ying Chen, Lizhen Cui, Ailian Zhou, Jiajia Zhou and Tong Li

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090959 - 28 Apr 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2089

Abstract

Agricultural science and technology policies (ASTPs) have played a pivotal role in shaping agricultural innovation, sustainability, and cleaner production practices. Understanding how ASTPs diffuse is essential for optimizing policy design and advancing the green transition in agriculture. This study aims to investigate the [...] Read more.

Agricultural science and technology policies (ASTPs) have played a pivotal role in shaping agricultural innovation, sustainability, and cleaner production practices. Understanding how ASTPs diffuse is essential for optimizing policy design and advancing the green transition in agriculture. This study aims to investigate the diffusion of ASTPs in China, using a quantitative citation-based approach. The goal is to explore diffusion patterns, topic characteristics, and historical trajectories of ASTPs, thereby providing insights into policy transmission mechanisms that can inform future policy improvements. We analyze 3207 ASTP documents, focusing on policy citation links to examine the distribution, diffusion characteristics, and dynamics of policies. The analysis includes tracking topic evolution and identifying key policies while estimating the main diffusion paths. The results show that the top-down diffusion model is the dominant pattern of policy transmission, exhibiting the highest diffusion speed and both short- and long-term impacts. ASTPs have progressively expanded toward industrialization, informatization, and green development, with increased policy transmission efficiency. The diffusion process has formed three primary pathways: (i) enhancing agricultural innovation capacity, (ii) accelerating the transformation of technological achievements, and (iii) improving the agricultural science and technology innovation system. These pathways are critical to advancing sustainable and cleaner agricultural production. This study provides valuable insights into the diffusion of ASTPs and highlights key pathways for policy optimization. The findings suggest that enhancing policy frameworks and improving policy implementation efficiency will be crucial for facilitating the transition toward sustainable, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Future research should refine data sources and incorporate semantic analysis to capture more detailed policy transmission mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecological Protection and Modern Agricultural Development)

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