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Land, Volume 11, Issue 11 (November 2022) – 227 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): As the carrier of global urbanization, urban land is the basic means of productivity and life of urban residents. Urban land management is of great significance to global climate change mitigation, improving ecological quality, promoting economic development, and ensuring sustainable urban development. Although studies on urban land management have accumulated at the global level, the differences in research methods, objectives, and perspectives have led to the fragmentation and confusion of research conclusions. Combined with the annual change trend of scientific research output, urban land management research can be divided into three stages: the budding period from 1979 to 1989, the development period from 1990 to 2008, and the high-yield period from 2009 to 2021. View this paper
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21 pages, 4661 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Suitability and Spatial Distribution of Rural Settlements in the Karst Mountainous Area of China
by Zhiyuan Yang, Dong Yang, Jingjie Geng and Fengxia Tian
Land 2022, 11(11), 2101; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112101 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1582
Abstract
With the acceleration of urbanization and the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, the spatial pattern of rural settlements in China has changed significantly. The suitability of rural settlements is a requirement for rural revitalization. The objective of this paper is to quantitatively [...] Read more.
With the acceleration of urbanization and the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, the spatial pattern of rural settlements in China has changed significantly. The suitability of rural settlements is a requirement for rural revitalization. The objective of this paper is to quantitatively depict, analyze, and evaluate the suitability of rural settlements in karst mountain areas to eliminate poverty and accelerate the process of new urbanization by constructing rural settlements. Taking 525 rural settlements in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province, in the karst mountainous area as the research object, the distribution of rural settlements is studied using point mode spatial analysis and neighborhood analysis. The impacts of natural and regional environmental factors are detected using Geodetector. To make the evaluation results more scientific and reasonable, a suitability evaluation model based on Geodetector and AHP was constructed to solve the subjective problem of the weight assignment of the AHP method and reflect the interaction between the influencing factors. The results demonstrate the following. (1) The variation coefficient of the Thiessen polygon area in the Voronoi diagram shows that the spatial distribution of rural settlements is mainly random. The spatial distribution of kernel density in rural settlements presents multiple nuclear centers, with obvious spatial differentiation, with Changping Township being the densest and Waxi Township the sparsest. (2) Rural settlements are mainly distributed below a 15° slope, 800 m above sea level, within 6 km from rivers, 4 km from roads, and 7 km from the township center. Slope and distance from the river are the main driving forces of spatial differentiation. The spatial distribution of rural settlement areas is affected by natural and regional environmental factors, and the interaction between slope and distance from the river is the strongest explanatory power. (3) The results of suitability evaluation show that 87.40% of the rural settlement areas are categorized as “suitable” and “relatively suitable” for living. The “suitable” rural settlement areas are mainly concentrated in the hilly and low mountain areas and river valleys, with relatively gentle terrain in the middle and east, distributed in two north–south trending strips. The “relatively suitable” rural settlements are mainly scattered in the surrounding livable areas. This study could provide a reference for the planning and reconstruction of rural residential areas in karst mountain areas and expand the research means of suitability evaluation of rural residential areas, and it is applicable to other settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Land Use Planning: New Theories, New Tools and New Practice)
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32 pages, 11831 KiB  
Article
Housing Price Prediction Using Machine Learning Algorithms in COVID-19 Times
by Raul-Tomas Mora-Garcia, Maria-Francisca Cespedes-Lopez and V. Raul Perez-Sanchez
Land 2022, 11(11), 2100; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112100 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 13169
Abstract
Machine learning algorithms are being used for multiple real-life applications and in research. As a consequence of digital technology, large structured and georeferenced datasets are now more widely available, facilitating the use of these algorithms to analyze and identify patterns, as well as [...] Read more.
Machine learning algorithms are being used for multiple real-life applications and in research. As a consequence of digital technology, large structured and georeferenced datasets are now more widely available, facilitating the use of these algorithms to analyze and identify patterns, as well as to make predictions that help users in decision making. This research aims to identify the best machine learning algorithms to predict house prices, and to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on house prices in a Spanish city. The methodology addresses the phases of data preparation, feature engineering, hyperparameter training and optimization, model evaluation and selection, and finally model interpretation. Ensemble learning algorithms based on boosting (Gradient Boosting Regressor, Extreme Gradient Boosting, and Light Gradient Boosting Machine) and bagging (random forest and extra-trees regressor) are used and compared with a linear regression model. A case study is developed with georeferenced microdata of the real estate market in Alicante (Spain), before and after the pandemic declaration derived from COVID-19, together with information from other complementary sources such as the cadastre, socio-demographic and economic indicators, and satellite images. The results show that machine learning algorithms perform better than traditional linear models because they are better adapted to the nonlinearities of complex data such as real estate market data. Algorithms based on bagging show overfitting problems (random forest and extra-trees regressor) and those based on boosting have better performance and lower overfitting. This research contributes to the literature on the Spanish real estate market by being one of the first studies to use machine learning and microdata to explore the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic on house prices. Full article
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19 pages, 7754 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Heat Released from Fire Based on Combustible Load in Inner Mongolian Grasslands
by Li Jiang, Wala Du and Shan Yu
Land 2022, 11(11), 2099; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112099 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1140
Abstract
The grasslands of Inner Mongolia are prone to wildfires, which can endanger the grassland ecosystem, as well as people’s lives and property. The amount of heat released by grassland fires must be determined for the quantitative evaluation of grassland fires. On the basis [...] Read more.
The grasslands of Inner Mongolia are prone to wildfires, which can endanger the grassland ecosystem, as well as people’s lives and property. The amount of heat released by grassland fires must be determined for the quantitative evaluation of grassland fires. On the basis of a field survey of combustible load and an indoor heat release experiment, together with the acquisition of NDVI and fire area data, this study evaluated the amount of combustible load, plant heat release, potential heat release, and fire-caused heat release in Inner Mongolia grasslands. The following results were obtained: (1) The models for determining Inner Mongolia’s combustible load (Y) per unit area throughout the growing and nongrowing seasons were Yi = 412.74NDVIi1.5917 and Yj = −7.21tj + Y10 (i represents May–October of the growing season; j represents November–April of the following year). In the northern temperate zones, grasslands and meadows showed a decline in combustible load per unit area. The interannual combustible load variance increased between 2001 and 2016; (2) the per square meter average heat release of Stipa capillata, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Carex doniana, Leymus chinensis, and other plants was 0.51, 0.18, 0.17, 0.3, and 1.42 MJ/g, respectively. Unit weights were released at 2.13, 1.77, 2.06, 1.9, and 3.99 MJ/m2; (3) from 2001 to 2016, Inner Mongolia’s grassland fires predominantly occurred in northern temperate grasslands and meadows. Over the 16 year period, the total heat emission was 1.01 × 1012 MJ, with variable decreasing trends noted in spring and fall. The main practical objectives of this paper were to provide basic data for fire spread modeling and suggest more scientific and effective fire management methods for the future. Full article
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18 pages, 4938 KiB  
Article
Simple Optimal Sampling Algorithm to Strengthen Digital Soil Mapping Using the Spatial Distribution of Machine Learning Predictive Uncertainty: A Case Study for Field Capacity Prediction
by Hyunje Yang, Honggeun Lim, Haewon Moon, Qiwen Li, Sooyoun Nam, Jaehoon Kim and Hyung Tae Choi
Land 2022, 11(11), 2098; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112098 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1496
Abstract
Machine learning models are now capable of delivering coveted digital soil mapping (DSM) benefits (e.g., field capacity (FC) prediction); therefore, determining the optimal sample sites and sample size is essential to maximize the training efficacy. We solve this with a novel optimal sampling [...] Read more.
Machine learning models are now capable of delivering coveted digital soil mapping (DSM) benefits (e.g., field capacity (FC) prediction); therefore, determining the optimal sample sites and sample size is essential to maximize the training efficacy. We solve this with a novel optimal sampling algorithm that allows the authentic augmentation of insufficient soil features using machine learning predictive uncertainty. Nine hundred and fifty-three forest soil samples and geographically referenced forest information were used to develop predictive models, and FCs in South Korea were estimated with six predictor set hierarchies. Random forest and gradient boosting models were used for estimation since tree-based models had better predictive performance than other machine learning algorithms. There was a significant relationship between model predictive uncertainties and training data distribution, where higher uncertainties were distributed in the data scarcity area. Further, we confirmed that the predictive uncertainties decreased when additional sample sites were added to the training data. Environmental covariate information of each grid cell in South Korea was then used to select the sampling sites. Optimal sites were coordinated at the cell having the highest predictive uncertainty, and the sample size was determined using the predictable rate. This intuitive method can be generalized to improve global DSM. Full article
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18 pages, 1570 KiB  
Article
Digital Technologies and Public Policies Applied to Green Cities
by Maria José Sousa
Land 2022, 11(11), 2097; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112097 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1423
Abstract
Digital technologies and public policies are fundamental for cities in defining their urban greening strategies, and the main goal of this research is to identify the applied digital technologies and the public policy dimensions implemented at the national level by the member states [...] Read more.
Digital technologies and public policies are fundamental for cities in defining their urban greening strategies, and the main goal of this research is to identify the applied digital technologies and the public policy dimensions implemented at the national level by the member states to promote urban greening in the literature and official documents. The methodology used is a systematic literature review (based on international studies), a Delphi study with experts, and a policy analysis, aiming to understand how the Portuguese government has implemented policies and identify the main technologies applied to urban greening. The main findings regard (i) the focus on the interaction between actors in policymaking; (ii) interpretive approaches used to examine the application of technologies in urban greening problems; and (iii) how policies reflect the social construction of ‘problems’. The research focuses on how policy analysis provides a powerful tool that can be used to understand the technologies, actions, interests, and political contexts underpinning policy decisions. The main lessons learned from this research are that urban greening can benefit urban centers together with the non-urban environment on which they have a functional impact, such as agricultural hinterland areas, forest spaces around the cities, and the rural–urban interfaces. Initiatives for urban greening are designed to enhance cross-border coordination, complementarities, flexibility, productivity, and access to the main international markets and territories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Spaces: Socioeconomic Challenges)
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23 pages, 3903 KiB  
Article
Aging Industries in the Regional Economy: How to Support an Aging China?
by Fan Xu, Yongming Huang and Qiang Wang
Land 2022, 11(11), 2096; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112096 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1774
Abstract
This study investigates the law, distribution characteristics, and changing trend of the coordinated development of China’s aging industry and regional economy, as well as the factors which influence the degree of coordination between the aging industry and economic development on the provincial level. [...] Read more.
This study investigates the law, distribution characteristics, and changing trend of the coordinated development of China’s aging industry and regional economy, as well as the factors which influence the degree of coordination between the aging industry and economic development on the provincial level. In doing so, we construct a comprehensive evaluation index system of the aging industry and regional economy development, introduce an entropy weight coupling model, and measure the coupling and coordinated development level of the two systems using data of 31 selected Chinese provinces (municipalities) from 2009 to 2019. The spatial Dubin model is then used to empirically analyze the influencing factors and spatial effect decomposition of the coordinated development of the aging industry and regional economy. We reach the following main results: (1) China’s aging industry is developing unevenly, with substantial regional differences, but these differences have narrowed in recent years. (2) China’s regional economic disparities have widened. The eastern regions have the highest level of development, while the northeast region’s growth rate of GDP has declined since 2014. (3) The coordinated development of the aging industry and regional economy in one region of China has a positive impact on its neighboring regions, and all Chinese regions exhibits high–high, low–low agglomeration characteristics in terms of their degree of coordination. (4) A variety of socioeconomic and demographic factors affect the coordinated development of the aging industry and regional economy. An important implication of these findings is that, China should improve population structure, population quality, and economic development quality in order to achieve a high-level coordinated development of the aging industry and regional economy. Full article
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25 pages, 5054 KiB  
Article
Who and Where Are the Observers behind Biodiversity Citizen Science Data? Effect of Landscape Naturalness on the Spatial Distribution of French Birdwatching Records
by Adrien Guetté, Sébastien Caillault, Joséphine Pithon, Guillaume Pain, Hervé Daniel, Benoit Marchadour and Véronique Beaujouan
Land 2022, 11(11), 2095; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112095 - 20 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1983
Abstract
The study of spatial bias in opportunistic data produced by citizen science programs is mainly approached either from a geographical angle (site proximity, accessibility, habitat quality) or from the angle of human behavior and volunteer engagement. In this study we linked both by [...] Read more.
The study of spatial bias in opportunistic data produced by citizen science programs is mainly approached either from a geographical angle (site proximity, accessibility, habitat quality) or from the angle of human behavior and volunteer engagement. In this study we linked both by analyzing the effect of observer profile on spatial distribution of recordings. We hypothesized that observer profile biases spatial distribution of records and that this bias can be explained by landscape naturalness. First, we established observer profiles from analysis of the temporal and spatial distributions of their records as well as record contents. Second, we mapped a naturalness gradient at regional and local scales. Using a dataset of more than 7 million bird records covering a time span of 15 years from the west of France, we defined four types of observer: garden-watchers, beginners, naturalists, and experts. We found that recording intensity could be related to naturalness at regional level; most visited areas were those where naturalness was on average lower i.e., close to population basins and highly accessible due to well-developed road infrastructure. At local level (neighborhood of recording sites), we found that experts and naturalists recorded in areas of higher naturalness index than those of garden-watchers and beginners. These results highlight how records contributed by different types of observer may lead to complementary coverage of different areas of the landscape. Future studies should therefore fully consider observer heterogeneity and how different observer profiles are influenced by local landscape naturalness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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23 pages, 7416 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Environment on the Distribution Characteristics of Historical Buildings in the Songshan Region
by Zhenghui Xu, Guohang Tian, Kailu Wei, Yuhong Ma, Shumei Zhang, Yumei Huang and Xiaojun Yao
Land 2022, 11(11), 2094; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112094 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1483
Abstract
The Songshan region is the core area of Huaxia culture. As an important part of urban characteristics, the Songshan region’s historical architectural heritage is of great significance in sustainable development aspects such as the natural environment, social culture, and so on. The purpose [...] Read more.
The Songshan region is the core area of Huaxia culture. As an important part of urban characteristics, the Songshan region’s historical architectural heritage is of great significance in sustainable development aspects such as the natural environment, social culture, and so on. The purpose of this study is to clarify the influencing factors of the spatial and temporal distribution of historical buildings in the Songshan region, explore more reasonable conservation and renewal strategies of historical building spaces, and consequently form an effective design method to protect and inherit the historical cultural landscape. Based on the ArcGIS10.6 spatial analysis method, this study simulated the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of historical buildings in the Songshan region, and analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics by geographic information system and mathematical statistics. On this basis, the integration of natural elements and social elements has been realized to explore the key factors affecting the distribution of historical buildings in this region. The main results are as follows: (1) the distribution of historical buildings in the Songshan region is not balanced as a whole and has the characteristics of cluster distribution, forming two extremely high-density areas in Luoyang City and Dengfeng City; (2) the overall distribution direction of historical buildings is northwest to southeast, and the distribution center is near Mount Song; (3) natural environmental factors such as topography, landforms, and water systems to which historical buildings belong, as well as the historical layers of the ancient city and the concept of “the Center of Heaven and Earth”, are the main factors affecting the spatial and temporal distribution of historical buildings in the Songshan region. Full article
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12 pages, 2097 KiB  
Article
Fractal Features of Soil Particles as an Indicator of Land Degradation under Different Types of Land Use at the Watershed Scale in Southern Iran
by Mohammad Tahmoures, Afshin Honarbakhsh, Sayed Fakhreddin Afzali, Mostafa Abotaleb, Ben Ingram and Yaser Ostovari
Land 2022, 11(11), 2093; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112093 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1237
Abstract
Soil particle-size distribution (PSD) is an important soil feature that is associated with soil erosion, soil fertility, and soil physical and chemical properties. However, very few studies have been carried out to investigate soil degradation using the fractal dimension (D) of the PSD [...] Read more.
Soil particle-size distribution (PSD) is an important soil feature that is associated with soil erosion, soil fertility, and soil physical and chemical properties. However, very few studies have been carried out to investigate soil degradation using the fractal dimension (D) of the PSD of soils from different land-use types in the calcareous soil of Iran. For this study, 120 soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from different land-use types in the Fars Province, and various basic soil properties such as soil organic matter (SOM), soil texture fractions, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), pH, and cation-exchange capacity (CEC) were measured. The PSD of the soil samples was determined using the international classification system for soil size fraction, and the D of the PSD was calculated for all soils. The results of this study show that D is significantly correlated with clay content (r = 0.93) followed by sand content (r = −0.54) and CEC (r = 0.51). The mean D values of the forest areas (D = 2.931), with a SOM content of 2.1%, are significantly higher than those of the agricultural land (D = 2.905 and SOM = 1.6%) and pastures (D = 2.910 and SOM = 1.6%), indicating that fine soil particles, particularly clay, have been preserved in forest soils but lost in agricultural and pasture soils. We conclude that agricultural land has experienced significantly higher levels of soil erosion than forest areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion Control and Land Degradation Neutrality)
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14 pages, 1137 KiB  
Article
Forest and Land Rights at a Time of Deforestation and Climate Change: Land and Resource Use Crisis in Uganda
by Dastan Bamwesigye, Raymond Chipfakacha and Evans Yeboah
Land 2022, 11(11), 2092; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112092 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2459
Abstract
Globally, nations are targeting to achieve the “Green Deal 2030” and “Biodiversity Strategy 2030” to protect and conserve forest ecosystems. Forest land rights that define the nature of forest use have been rendered useless in many developing countries. Uganda is an African country [...] Read more.
Globally, nations are targeting to achieve the “Green Deal 2030” and “Biodiversity Strategy 2030” to protect and conserve forest ecosystems. Forest land rights that define the nature of forest use have been rendered useless in many developing countries. Uganda is an African country endowed with tropical rainforests. Forests and other protected areas continue to decline due to deforestation and forest degradation in Uganda. Moreover, Uganda is an example of a country with a high allocation of virgin forest land to investors for development projects including agriculture. This paper examined perceptions of Ugandans on property rights and associated factors that impact the implementation of these rights in Uganda. The study conducted a questionnaire survey and obtained a sample size of 199. Key informant interviews (KIIs) on land and forest land rights in Uganda were conducted to get to the bottom of the problem. The results confirm high corruption (82%) and crime in Uganda’s land and forest rights management. Respondents highlighted limited transparency in implementing land and forest property rights. The study concluded that corruption and a lack of transparency frustrate property rights implementation in Uganda. The study recommends the government to prioritize fighting corruption and promoting transparency in the management of land and forest property, among others resources. Properly implementing land rights is vital in protecting and conserving forest ecosystems and other resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for 'Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues' Section)
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19 pages, 1769 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Evaluation of the Implementation Effect of Commercial Street Quality Improvement Based on AHP-Entropy Weight Method—Taking Hefei Shuanggang Old Street as an Example
by Le Zhang, Xiaoxiao Xu and Yanlong Guo
Land 2022, 11(11), 2091; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112091 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2504
Abstract
In the global context of sustainable urban development, urban regeneration is an activity to improve the form and function of urban space in built-up areas. Commercial streets are one of the most active factors in urban space and an important factor in promoting [...] Read more.
In the global context of sustainable urban development, urban regeneration is an activity to improve the form and function of urban space in built-up areas. Commercial streets are one of the most active factors in urban space and an important factor in promoting urban prosperity and reflecting urban vitality, yet these streets have not kept pace with the public’s quest for quality through theoretical change, and this can even affect public comfort and well-being. In order to effectively undertake urban regeneration and improve the quality of urban streets and residents’ satisfaction, design factors for the quality enhancement of commercial streets are explored in order to rationalise residents’ demand preferences and their priorities, enhance residents’ sense of belonging, and provide suggestions for the optimisation of the design of subsequent urban street regeneration in China. By summarising the literature and the content requirements of the quality enhancement scheme for Shuanggang Old Street in Hefei, this study applied a questionnaire survey and scientifically developed an index system containing five evaluation indicators, including spatial carrying capacity, street attractiveness, travel safety, environmental comfort, and social interaction. A combination of hierarchical analysis and entropy weighting was used to identify the most influential factors on the implementation of the quality improvement of the commercial street and design optimisation suggestions. The evaluation results show that travel safety and social interaction significantly affect the evaluation of the quality improvement of commercial streets, as well as highlighting the needs of residents for street environments and services and the role of local governments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Regeneration and Sustainable Construction Management)
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19 pages, 697 KiB  
Article
Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of the Success or Failure of China’s Overseas Arable Land Investment Projects—Based on the Countries along the “Belt and Road”
by Linyan Ma, Zichun Pan, Yameng Wang and Feng Wei
Land 2022, 11(11), 2090; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112090 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1191
Abstract
As globalization continues, overseas arable land investment is becoming a viable option for China to alleviate its agricultural growth constraints, and the “Belt and Road” initiative offers plenty of opportunities for China to invest in overseas arable land. This study used data from [...] Read more.
As globalization continues, overseas arable land investment is becoming a viable option for China to alleviate its agricultural growth constraints, and the “Belt and Road” initiative offers plenty of opportunities for China to invest in overseas arable land. This study used data from the Land Matrix, KOF, World Bank, CEPII, UNCTAD and other databases to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and factors influencing the success or failure of China’s overseas farmland investment projects in countries along the “Belt and Road” project through spatial analysis and the Logit model. The results show that North America has the largest share of production versus contracted acreage in current acreage investment cases, and Asian projects have the highest success rate. Both successful and failed projects in China regarding arable land investment are highly correlated spatially and characterized by a strong concentration and low uniformity of distribution, with differences in the degree of concentration in Asia, Africa and other regions. The contracted area, host country participation and host country resource endowment, business environment and institutional quality have significant, inverted “U-shaped”, negative and positive effects on project success, respectively. In addition, the involvement of the host country has a significant negative impact on the success of investment projects in Africa, and the length of investment and the type of investment purpose have a significant positive and negative impact on the success of investment projects in Asian countries. Therefore, China’s overseas arable land investment should be based on a full examination of existing investment projects in each country, the selection of host countries with abundant resource endowments and a good business environment and institutional environment and the adoption of a model suitable for each location to carry out investments according to local conditions. Full article
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21 pages, 1934 KiB  
Article
Spatial Correlation and Influencing Factors of Tourism Eco-Efficiency in the Urban Agglomeration of the Yangtze River Delta Based on Social Network Analysis
by Yuewei Wang, Lidan An, Hang Chen and Yuyan Zhao
Land 2022, 11(11), 2089; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112089 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2740
Abstract
Tourism eco-efficiency analysis is an effective tool to solve the problem of sustainable tourism development. The tourism eco-efficiency evaluation index system was constructed in the study, and the undesirable output super-slacks-based measure model was used to estimate the tourism eco-efficiency of 26 cities [...] Read more.
Tourism eco-efficiency analysis is an effective tool to solve the problem of sustainable tourism development. The tourism eco-efficiency evaluation index system was constructed in the study, and the undesirable output super-slacks-based measure model was used to estimate the tourism eco-efficiency of 26 cities in the Yangtze River Delta. Then, the modified gravity model based on the values of the tourism eco-efficiency analysis of each city was used to construct a spatial correlation network. The structural characteristics of the spatial association networks of tourism eco-efficiency, the interrelationships among different cities, and the roles played by different blocks were explored using a social network analysis. The quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) was applied to analyze the influencing factors that affect the formation of the spatial association network of tourism eco-efficiency. The results show that tourism eco-efficiency has an overall increasing trend, and the gap among cities is decreasing. The structure of the spatial correlation network of tourism eco-efficiency has good connectivity, accessibility, and robustness with the correlations among all of the cities in the network. The spillover effects among the blocks are significant, showing spatial polarization, with the cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou occupying the core position of the network. The QAP analysis shows that the spatial correlation network of tourism eco-efficiency is affected by the distance between the cities and the levels of development of the economy and information dissemination. The results of this study innovatively reveal the structural characteristics and influencing factors of the spatial correlation network of tourism eco-efficiency. It could provide valuable insights for the development of corresponding policy measures by government sectors and tourism firms to enhance the sustainability of regional tourism development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)
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24 pages, 3417 KiB  
Article
Regional Planning, Land-Use Management, and Governance in German Metropolitan Regions—The Case of Rhine–Neckar Metropolitan Region
by Simin Yan and Anna Growe
Land 2022, 11(11), 2088; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112088 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3111
Abstract
German cities and their hinterlands have a long tradition of cooperation; however, there remains considerable challenges when developing integrated governance models, especially in those metropolitan regions that cross state-boundaries. The Rhine–Neckar Metropolitan Region (MRN), with its unique location of a tri-state intersection, explored [...] Read more.
German cities and their hinterlands have a long tradition of cooperation; however, there remains considerable challenges when developing integrated governance models, especially in those metropolitan regions that cross state-boundaries. The Rhine–Neckar Metropolitan Region (MRN), with its unique location of a tri-state intersection, explored ways out of the governing dilemma and has pioneered cooperative federalism in Germany. To determine how the cross-jurisdictional cooperation is organized and realized in the MRN, and how well this model has worked in terms of regional planning, attributing land resources, and the reality of long-term governance, a series of interviews with involved officials and planners and MAXQDA software were employed to decode the transcribed text content. A second-hand qualitative database, including, but not limited to, meeting memos, protocols, and published works were added to examine our findings. The results indicated that diversified actors, a combined instrument, multiple collaborative contents, and the networked joint decision-making structure have strengthened the governance of the MRN. However, their public association-centered structure raised concerns in terms of inadequate participation of private agents and an excessive pursuit of regional balance as well. Ultimately, this paper discusses the inefficiency challenges facing the MRN and further reflects on the need for, and impacts of, high-level government participation in constituting a regional identity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Governance of Land Use)
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26 pages, 19755 KiB  
Article
Impact of Human Disturbances on the Spatial Heterogeneity of Landscape Fragmentation in Qilian Mountain National Park, China
by Baifei Ren, Keunhyun Park, Anil Shrestha, Jun Yang, Melissa McHale, Weilan Bai and Guangyu Wang
Land 2022, 11(11), 2087; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112087 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2622
Abstract
Qilian Mountain National Park (QLMNP) is a biodiversity hotspot with great agriculture and tourism resources. With the expansion of human activities, a few areas of the park are experiencing massive landscape transformation, and these areas are also highly ecologically sensitive. Nevertheless, there are [...] Read more.
Qilian Mountain National Park (QLMNP) is a biodiversity hotspot with great agriculture and tourism resources. With the expansion of human activities, a few areas of the park are experiencing massive landscape transformation, and these areas are also highly ecologically sensitive. Nevertheless, there are substantial differences in the human activities and natural resources of various communities around QLMNP, resulting in heterogeneous landscape degradation. Hence, this study explores the extent and drivers of spatial heterogeneity in landscape fragmentation associated with ecologically vulnerable communities in QLMNP. Multiple ring buffer analysis and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were used to analyze the relationships between landscape fragmentation and variables of human activities and facilities to identify the main factors influencing landscape fragmentation in different regions. The results reveal that human disturbance had a stronger relationship with landscape fragmentation in QLMNP than natural factors do. Among the drivers of landscape fragmentation, the distribution of residential areas and the extension of agricultural land were found to have more significant impacts than tourism. Expansion of cropland had a greater impact on the eastern part of the national park, where overgrazing and farming require further regulation, while tourism affected the landscape fragmentation in the central area of the national park. The point-shaped human disturbance had a larger impact than the linear disturbance. The study findings can be used to formulate a comprehensive plan to determine the extent to which agriculture and tourism should be developed to avoid excessive damage to the ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Environmental and Policy Impact Assessment)
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28 pages, 33115 KiB  
Article
Correlation between Urban Commercial Nodes and the Development of Sci-Tech Enterprises in Hangzhou West High-Tech Corridor, China
by Yue Wu, Xiangyi Li, Yue Yang and Weishun Xu
Land 2022, 11(11), 2086; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112086 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
Single-function industrial parks are transforming into innovation districts which combine innovation elements with urban elements. As one of the urban elements, the urban commercial nodes (UCNs) have exhibited a co-evolution phenomenon with sci-tech enterprises (STEs) in innovation districts. However, the urban planning practice [...] Read more.
Single-function industrial parks are transforming into innovation districts which combine innovation elements with urban elements. As one of the urban elements, the urban commercial nodes (UCNs) have exhibited a co-evolution phenomenon with sci-tech enterprises (STEs) in innovation districts. However, the urban planning practice of many innovation districts still falls behind in converting industrial land to commercial land use after construction, and the problem of mismatching commercial resources with consumer demand persists. This study aimed to explore how to rationalize the planning of UCNs to make them better fulfill the mission of serving economic growth by analyzing the correlation between UCNs and the development of STEs. The Hangzhou West High-Tech Corridor was adopted as a typical research sample which represents the latest development trend occurring in China’s most innovative districts and leads China in the coordinated development of sci-tech industries and urban life. Using point-of-interest data, Internet assessment data, and corporate business information data, a spatial correlation test and partial least squares regression analysis were performed. The results show that there was a significant spatial correlation between UCNs and STEs. The scale of UCNs had a significant positive correlation with the degree of agglomeration, development scale, and comprehensive development level of the STEs. The catering; hotel; and culture, sports, and entertainment industries correlated the most with STE development. The commercial complex was one of the physical forms that were conducive to the development of surrounding STEs. This study provides references for rational planning of UCNs and STE clusters, and for optimizing the allocation of commercial resources and physical commercial forms in the urban planning process of innovation districts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions)
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12 pages, 991 KiB  
Article
Opportunity Costs of In Situ Carbon Storage Derived by Multiple-Objective Stand-Level Optimization—Results from Case Studies in Portugal and Germany
by Mengistie Kindu, Logan Robert Bingham, José G. Borges, Susete Marques, Olha Nahorna, Jeannette Eggers and Thomas Knoke
Land 2022, 11(11), 2085; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112085 - 18 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1214
Abstract
Considering in situ carbon storage in forest management has gained momentum under increasing pressure to decarbonize our economies. Here, we present results from case studies in Portugal and Germany showing the opportunity costs of in situ carbon storage derived by multiple-objective optimization. We [...] Read more.
Considering in situ carbon storage in forest management has gained momentum under increasing pressure to decarbonize our economies. Here, we present results from case studies in Portugal and Germany showing the opportunity costs of in situ carbon storage derived by multiple-objective optimization. We used a stand-level model to optimize land expectation value under uncertainty as a reference, then derived opportunity costs by including the enhancement of the average carbon storage in aboveground biomass as a second objective. Using the optimal (compromise) solution when considering both objectives simultaneously, we show opportunity costs of EUR 119 (Portugal) and EUR 68 (Germany) per Mg CO2eq. These opportunity costs are higher than conservative, but lower than alternative cost estimates for future damages caused by current CO2 emissions. An important result was that suggested reference solutions in both countries (though only for low discount rates in Portugal) were mixed forests without clearfelling. In Germany, this implicitly elevated carbon storage. Such “closer-to-nature-forest-management” systems were also mostly suggested by the optimization tool when carbon storage was an objective. Full article
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18 pages, 4710 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics of Carbon Emissions from Industrial Land in Anhui Province, China
by Ting Zhang, Longqian Chen, Ziqi Yu, Jinyu Zang and Long Li
Land 2022, 11(11), 2084; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112084 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1387
Abstract
Carbon emissions (CE) in Anhui Province are closely related to carbon emissions from industrial land (CEIL). In this study, based on industrial land, industrial energy consumption, and related statistical data in Anhui Province from 2000 to 2016, the carbon emissions coefficient method and [...] Read more.
Carbon emissions (CE) in Anhui Province are closely related to carbon emissions from industrial land (CEIL). In this study, based on industrial land, industrial energy consumption, and related statistical data in Anhui Province from 2000 to 2016, the carbon emissions coefficient method and the standard deviational ellipse were used to measure and analyze the CEIL and their spatial and temporal evolution characteristics, aiming to provide a basis for the relevant government departments to formulate CE policies. The main results showed that: (1) The total amount of CEIL followed an inverted U-shaped trend of rapid increase followed by a decrease, while the overall carbon emission intensity from industrial land (CEIIL) followed a downward trend. (2) The CE had an evident spatial differentiation, with those from resource-based cities being much higher than those of industrial and tourism-based cities; (3) The overall pattern of CEIL in Anhui Province showed that the increase in the north-south direction is significantly higher than that in the east-west direction, and mainly expanded in the north-south direction. The overall industrial growth rate of Southern Anhui, represented by the Wanjiang City Belt, was higher than that of Northern Anhui, although its CEIL center showed to move towards Northern Anhui. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Land Use on Atmospheric Environment)
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13 pages, 1784 KiB  
Article
Ecosystem Services Provided by Pastoral Husbandry: A Bibliometric Analysis
by Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leytón, Djamila Gribis, Claudio Pozo-Campos, Eduardo Morales-Jerrett, Yolanda Mena, Jesús Cambrollé and Ángel Martín Vicente
Land 2022, 11(11), 2083; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112083 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1117
Abstract
The ecosystem services provided by the age-old activity of husbandry are presently declining or seriously endangered. The situation is particularly serious for regulation services and for certain cultural services given their growing dependence on external inputs. This work performs a bibliometric analysis for [...] Read more.
The ecosystem services provided by the age-old activity of husbandry are presently declining or seriously endangered. The situation is particularly serious for regulation services and for certain cultural services given their growing dependence on external inputs. This work performs a bibliometric analysis for the purpose of identifying the certainties and gaps associated with the different ecosystems generated by pastoral husbandry, and confirms the pressing challenges that the livestock industry is facing in the current context of global change. Two different tools, Scopus and VOSviewer, have been implemented to analyze 2230 documents published between 1961 and 2021 that include the terms “grazing” and “service”. The information required for the bibliometric analysis of authorship, country of origin, field of study and number of citations, among other categories, was drawn from the documents to the effect of evidencing their general thematic relationships. Finally, the current state of the ecosystem services currently provided by pastoral husbandry—provisioning, regulation, cultural and support services—was assessed. The results showed a greater abundance of scientific literature on provisioning and regulation services than on cultural and support services. An increase in the number of publications from the beginning of the 21st century was confirmed. The United States stands out as the country with the largest scientific production, and environmental sciences is the most prominent field in the study of ecosystem services. A recent larger academic effort to encourage the promotion of ecosystem services from the institutions has also been observed, as well as to include them as a factor in the development of environmental policies, which is described as the greatest challenge for the future of this discipline. Among other possible solutions, the new European Union agricultural subsidies—the so-called eco-schemes—appear to be essential for that effort to bear fruit as soon as possible. Full article
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31 pages, 12054 KiB  
Article
Factors in the Responsible Management of the Luna Valley Complex Geosite (NW Spain)—A Case Study
by Esperanza Fernández-Martínez, Ismael Coronado, Luna Adrados and Rodrigo Castaño
Land 2022, 11(11), 2082; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112082 - 18 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1221
Abstract
The Luna Valley complex geosite (northwestern Spain) is a region of geoheritage significance located in an area with high environmental value. Geological studies began in the mid-20th century and continue to provide scientific data of significant relevance to the knowledge regarding the Palaeozoic [...] Read more.
The Luna Valley complex geosite (northwestern Spain) is a region of geoheritage significance located in an area with high environmental value. Geological studies began in the mid-20th century and continue to provide scientific data of significant relevance to the knowledge regarding the Palaeozoic stratigraphy of northern Gondwana and the tectonics of the Variscan orogen. This region also has high value for geoeducation, being visited regularly by both students and the general public. Educational use of the area has promoted the creation of several publicly available materials and activities that include trails, guides, displays and brochures, as well as the development of a small museum. However, over time, weathering; the abandonment of rural life; and the intensive, uncontrolled, and careless use of this region as a geosite for scientific and educational purposes has led to significant degradation and the consequent loss of its geoheritage value. This paper describes the geology of five key geosites in the Luna Valley. This is followed by a review of the promotional initiatives carried out in the area. These data, along with our knowledge of the area, allow us to develop a heritage analysis that includes the main geological interests, conservation status and some key management issues for each of these five individual sites. Several recommendations aim to control the physical degradation of the geosites, encourage their regular monitoring and the updating of the outreach materials using virtual tools, and promote the involvement of the local population in the conservation of this unique site. Full article
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10 pages, 1388 KiB  
Article
Ecological Evaluation of Sponge City Landscape Design Based on Aquatic Plants Application
by Dan Jiang, Rui Hua and Jian Shao
Land 2022, 11(11), 2081; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112081 - 18 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1360
Abstract
Urbanization increases the impervious surface of land and disrupts the hydrological cycle of urban water resources. Optimum landscape design based on climatic and geographical factors can reduce the destructive effects of urban development on surface and subsurface flows. The construction of a sponge [...] Read more.
Urbanization increases the impervious surface of land and disrupts the hydrological cycle of urban water resources. Optimum landscape design based on climatic and geographical factors can reduce the destructive effects of urban development on surface and subsurface flows. The construction of a sponge city is an essential step towards achieving this structure. Aquatic plants are the most important component of the ecological regeneration of urban landscapes. The land cover changes caused by aquatic plants reduce the speed of water and increase the penetration of runoff into the porous environment. In addition, not only can the use of aquatic plants as the main component of water saving for ecological restoration control water erosion, but it can also have a positive effect on landscape architecture. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a multi-objective urban landscape design model based on the use of aquatic plants. Moreover, the limitations of improving the urban ecosystem with aquatic plants were analyzed based on the theory of ecological restoration in a sponge city. The required area for the cultivation of these plants was calculated according to the flood return periods and the two objective functions of land slope and runoff rate. The results show that surface runoff decreased by 15% and that rainfall and flood decreased by 21% for a 50-year return period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Landscape Ecology Section)
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18 pages, 13387 KiB  
Article
Contested Living with/in the Boeng Chhmar Flooded Forests, Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia
by Vu Thi Phuong Linh, Kelly Shannon and Bruno De Meulder
Land 2022, 11(11), 2080; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112080 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2051
Abstract
The paper is based on empirical research of a territorial transect in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap floodplain. The flooded forests of the Tonle Sap Lake are determined by a significant seasonal flood of up to 13 m, where a large gradient of wetness and [...] Read more.
The paper is based on empirical research of a territorial transect in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap floodplain. The flooded forests of the Tonle Sap Lake are determined by a significant seasonal flood of up to 13 m, where a large gradient of wetness and alluvia flow and dramatically transform the territory. The paper zooms into a case study of the inhabited RAMSAR area of Boeng Chhmar with its five floating villages, which are dispersed along seasonal waterways. Boeng Chhmar is one of the richest symbiotic habitats in the world and its inhabitants completely rely on the flooded forest’s natural cycles for settling, subsistence fishing, and forest−gathering activities. From two opposite landscape transformation processes, Khmer indigenous practices and State development procedures, the paper unravels the logics of settling, coexistence, and contestation. On the one hand, local daily practices are embedded in seasonal floods and forest lifecycles, coexisting, and reconfiguring the inhabited wild for subsistence living. On the other hand, State development through history has centered on (de)−(re)forestation and modern landscape construction for commercially exploitative practices. Forest logging and large−scale fishing lots extracted enormous quantities of natural resources and compromised the health and natural regenerative capacity of the ecological system. This also undermined the ago−old legacy of inhabitant’s ways of settling in and with the landscape. Today, State operations face challenges from both nature itself and cultural resistance. The findings for the paper are based on multi−scalar interpretive mapping. The tracing of morpho−typologies and landscape transformation processes allows multiple narratives to be translated into spatial terms. The coexistence and contestation in Boeng Chhmar and the Tonle Sap can provide spatial insights into contemporary forest and water urbanisms, especially concerning local material cultural practices and landscape transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Architecture: Design for Urban Transformation)
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22 pages, 3839 KiB  
Article
Multi-Scenario Prediction of Landscape Ecological Risk in the Sichuan-Yunnan Ecological Barrier Based on Terrain Gradients
by Binpin Gao, Yingmei Wu, Chen Li, Kejun Zheng, Yan Wu, Mengjiao Wang, Xin Fan and Shengya Ou
Land 2022, 11(11), 2079; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112079 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1326
Abstract
Land use changes induced by human activities change landscape patterns and ecological processes, threatening regional and global ecosystems. Terrain gradient and anthropogenic multi-policy regulation can have a pronounced effect on landscape components. Forecasting the changing trend of landscape ecological risk (LER) is important [...] Read more.
Land use changes induced by human activities change landscape patterns and ecological processes, threatening regional and global ecosystems. Terrain gradient and anthropogenic multi-policy regulation can have a pronounced effect on landscape components. Forecasting the changing trend of landscape ecological risk (LER) is important for national ecological security and regional sustainability. The present study assessed changes in LER in the Sichuan-Yunnan Ecological Barrier over a 20-year period using land use data from 2000, 2010, and 2020. The enhanced Markov-PLUS (patch-generating land use simulation) model was used to predict and analyze the spatial distribution pattern of LER under the following three scenarios. These were business-as-usual (BAU), urban development and construction (UDC), and ecological development priority (EDP) in 2030. The influence of terrain conditions on LER was also explored. The results showed that over the past 20 years, the LER index increased and then decreased and was dominated by medium and low risk, accounting for more than 70% of the total risk-rated area. The highest and higher risk areas for the three future scenarios have increased in spatial extent. The UDC scenario showed the largest increase of 3341.13 km2 and 2684.85 km2, respectively. The highest-risk level has a strong selectivity for low gradients, with high-level risks more likely to occur at low gradients. The response of ecological risk to gradient changes shows a positive correlation distribution for high-gradient areas and a negative correlation distribution for low-gradient areas. The influence of future topographic gradient changes on LER remains significant. The value of multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) for identifying the spatial heterogeneity of terrain gradient and LER is highlighted. It can play an important role in the formulation of scientific solutions for LER prevention and of an ecological conservation policy for mountainous areas with complex terrain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Land Use Planning: New Theories, New Tools and New Practice)
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22 pages, 7188 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of Strategically Located Green Stormwater Infrastructure Networks for Adaptive Flood Mitigation in a Context of Climate Change
by Suphicha Muangsri, Wendy McWilliam, Tim Davies and Gillian Lawson
Land 2022, 11(11), 2078; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112078 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1730
Abstract
Studies indicate Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) on industrial land can provide substantial adaptive flood mitigation within urban catchments under climate change. To identify a cost-effective adaptive GSI network, planners need to evaluate flood mitigation capabilities of industrial properties through time and understand key [...] Read more.
Studies indicate Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) on industrial land can provide substantial adaptive flood mitigation within urban catchments under climate change. To identify a cost-effective adaptive GSI network, planners need to evaluate flood mitigation capabilities of industrial properties through time and understand key characteristics informing when, where, and how GSI should be implemented for maximum effect. We applied the Hydrology-based Land Capability Assessment and Classification (HLCA+C) methodology to a catchment in Christchurch, New Zealand, to evaluate the capabilities of industrial properties clustered into Storm Water Management (SWM) zones under different climate change scenarios. SWM zone potentials and limitations were assessed to develop the most capable adaptive flood mitigation network with climate change. We prioritised six of twenty SWM zones for inclusion in the network based on their substantial flood mitigation capabilities. To maximise their capabilities through time, we orchestrated, and implemented GSI in zones incrementally, using different implementation approaches based on key characteristics determining their capability. The results indicated that the most capable zone could mitigate climate change-induced flooding, by itself, up to the end of this century under the moderate climate change scenario. However, if its capability was combined with that of five others, together they could mitigate flooding just shy of that associated with the major climate change scenario up to the end of this century. The resulting adaptive industrial GSI network not only provides substantial flood protection for communities but allows costly investments in flood mitigation structures, such as barriers and levees, to be safely delayed until their cost-effectiveness has been confirmed under increased climate certainty. Full article
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15 pages, 11031 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Impacts of Urbanization on Vegetation Net Primary Productivity: A Case Study of Chengdu–Chongqing Urban Agglomeration from the Perspective of Townships
by Jianshu Li, Mo Bi and Guoen Wei
Land 2022, 11(11), 2077; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112077 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1347
Abstract
As an emerging national strategic urban agglomeration in China, the changing trend of vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) and the impact of the urbanization level (UL) on carbon cycle functions in the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration (CUA) have received increasing attention. Previous studies have [...] Read more.
As an emerging national strategic urban agglomeration in China, the changing trend of vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) and the impact of the urbanization level (UL) on carbon cycle functions in the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration (CUA) have received increasing attention. Previous studies have largely overlooked externalities and the heterogeneity of urbanization effects, and urbanization has also been analyzed in isolation (with focus being on land and population urbanization). In this study, the spatial evolution of NPP was evaluated from 2000 to 2020 at the township level (3859) using multivariate remote sensing data and a comprehensive index (UL) that included population urbanization, land urbanization, and economic urbanization. Bivariate spatial autocorrelation, spatial Durbin models, and geographically weighted regression models were used to analyze the spatial externalities of urbanization impacts and assess the global and local effects. The results show that the region’s mean NPP increased by 177.25 g*c/m2 (annual growth of 1.59%), exhibiting a distribution of “low in the middle and high in the periphery” and low-value clustering along major traffic arteries and rivers. Low-value-NPP areas were mainly located in urban centers, while the high-level areas were in the mountainous region (in the southwest and southeast) and significantly expanded over time. Negative correlation clusters were the main clustering types between the UL and NPP; the “High-Low” negative correlation clusters accelerated outward from the urban centers of Chengdu and Chongqing. Overall, urbanization had negative direct and spillover effects on NPP, exhibiting spatial non-stationarity of the negative driving effect within the urban agglomeration. The results indicate the need to strengthen regional ecological joint governance and adopt more place-based urbanization optimization strategies. This study offers new insights to help to reduce the constraining effects of urbanization on vegetation productivity and ecological functions from the perspectives of population agglomeration, land expansion, and industrial construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Sustainable Land Production)
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18 pages, 3136 KiB  
Article
Stakeholders’ Perceptions towards Land Restoration and Its Impacts on Ecosystem Services: A Case Study in the Chinese Loess Plateau
by Hao Chen, Luuk Fleskens, Simon W. Moolenaar, Coen J. Ritsema and Fei Wang
Land 2022, 11(11), 2076; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112076 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1545
Abstract
To combat land degradation and deterioration issues, the Grain to Green project (GGP) was implemented on the Chinese Loess Plateau in 1999 and substantially altered the land cover by converting slope farmland into forest and grassland. To effectively achieve sustainable land restoration management [...] Read more.
To combat land degradation and deterioration issues, the Grain to Green project (GGP) was implemented on the Chinese Loess Plateau in 1999 and substantially altered the land cover by converting slope farmland into forest and grassland. To effectively achieve sustainable land restoration management and avoid stakeholder conflicts, this study aimed to understand how local stakeholders perceived the current land restoration process and expectations for future land restoration policy, as well as how stakeholders assessed the GGP impacts on local ecosystem service changes. We investigated the perspectives of 150 stakeholders representing five stakeholder groups including farmers, governmental officers, citizens, tourism operators and forestry practitioners using questionnaires administered in 2021 in the Yan’an area of the Chinese Loess Plateau. The survey results indicated a 72% support rate of stakeholders for the current GGP, with government officers reporting the highest value and tourism practitioners reporting the lowest. The support rate for future land restoration decreased to 51%. While majority of the stakeholders considered that the GGP had stimulated regulation and cultural ecosystem services, they also perceived negative impacts on grain production, livestock production, water yield and water quantity. Factors influencing farmers’ decision-making on recultivating the restored forest in the future were found to be economically driven. We recommend policy makers to improve the compensation standards and duration for farmers and increase the diversity of restoration tree species, and the involvement of participatory processes is suggested for future land restoration policy-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Ecosystem Service Assessments into Land Use Decisions)
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17 pages, 800 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Agricultural Extension Agent’s Sustainable Cotton Land Production Competencies: Subject Matter Discrepancies Restricting Farmers’ Information Adoption
by Paige Seitz, Robert Strong, Steve Hague and Theresa P. Murphrey
Land 2022, 11(11), 2075; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112075 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2086
Abstract
Cotton is more chemically intensive than many other commodities, which negatively impacts rural livelihoods at higher rates. Improvement in environmental stewardship of cotton would substantially impact the long-term sustainability of agriculture in cotton producing regions globally. Extension personnel provide producer education to improve [...] Read more.
Cotton is more chemically intensive than many other commodities, which negatively impacts rural livelihoods at higher rates. Improvement in environmental stewardship of cotton would substantially impact the long-term sustainability of agriculture in cotton producing regions globally. Extension personnel provide producer education to improve these issues that ultimately impact economic growth and quality of life in rural areas, but their proficiency to foster innovation and diffusion of crop-specific content is unknown. A 48-item survey was administered to agricultural extension personnel in five U.S. states to develop an understanding of extension professionals’ current knowledge in sustainable cotton production and sustainability, identify pertinent training needs to address in future professional development curricula, and to discern the value of crop-specific competency evaluation in organizational needs assessment. A ranked discrepancy model and an exploratory factor analysis of survey results indicated a glaring need for training in all evaluated competency areas to improve sustainability in cotton producing regions. Synchronous or asynchronous trainings could be developed for change agents to better serve the needs of rural cotton producers. Knowledge transfer or adoption diffusion of rural land sustainability recommendations to farmers will be challenging to achieve in the study’s region until change agent’s proficiency of sustainable cotton production practices improves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use and Rural Sustainability)
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15 pages, 3151 KiB  
Article
Urban Green Space Prioritization to Mitigate Air Pollution and the Urban Heat Island Effect in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal
by Sabina Bhandari and Chuanrong Zhang
Land 2022, 11(11), 2074; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112074 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2591
Abstract
The rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization within Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) have induced land use and land cover (LULC) changes that have exacerbated problems of air pollution and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. These issues, as well as potential mitigations and [...] Read more.
The rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization within Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) have induced land use and land cover (LULC) changes that have exacerbated problems of air pollution and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. These issues, as well as potential mitigations and possible counteractions, are currently under investigation by numerous research communities, resulting in various solutions being put forward including the creation of Urban Green Spaces (UGS). Establishing UGS would increase carbon dioxide extraction, minimizing photochemical ozone formation and liberation, while simultaneously cooling the microclimate of an area such as KMC. Optimized implementation of UGS throughout KMC requires an understanding of and prioritization of locations based on degraded air quality and the UHI effect. Unfortunately, such studies in these areas appear to be severely lacking, which has acted as a catalyst for this study. This research includes prioritization on two different spatial units—(i) at the administrative ward level and (ii) 0.0025° fishnet level. The result identifies the high-need locations where UGS establishment is recommended to mitigate air pollution and the UHI effect. Information obtained also heightened the existing UGS’s current sparsity and deplorable conditions. Findings from this study indicate that the utilization of rooftops are potential locations for new UGS, and enhancement of the existing UGS would prove to be an efficient use of currently underutilized spaces. Full article
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18 pages, 4470 KiB  
Article
Urban Agglomeration Ecological Welfare Performance and Spatial Convergence Research in the Yellow River Basin
by Ningyi Liu and Yongyu Wang
Land 2022, 11(11), 2073; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112073 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1329
Abstract
As human society is entering an era of scarce natural resources, realizing the welfare level of human society is a fundamental requirement to improve sustainable development, while being restrained by the ecological environment. In this paper, we divided ecological welfare performance (EWP) into [...] Read more.
As human society is entering an era of scarce natural resources, realizing the welfare level of human society is a fundamental requirement to improve sustainable development, while being restrained by the ecological environment. In this paper, we divided ecological welfare performance (EWP) into an ecological economic system and an economic welfare system from the perspective of ecological welfare, and predicted the EWP in the Yellow River Basin Urban Agglomerations (YRBUAs) using the US-NSBM model in two stages. We further explored the dynamic change trend and spatial convergence characteristics in the YRBUAs using the Dagum Gini coefficient, the kernel density estimation method, and the spatial convergence models. The results indicate that there are great spatial variations in EWP in the YRBUAs, where the spatial variation in the downstream is higher than that in the upstream, and the spatial distribution pattern in large- and medium-sized cities is higher than that in small cities. The DEA efficiency could not be realized overall throughout the study period, but it shows an improving trend. At the same time, absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence were observed in the YRBUAs, both overall and between the UAs. This paper provides a basis for analyzing the spatial pattern of EWP and for promoting the coordinated development of urban agglomerations in the YRBUAs, thus serving as a reference for the sustainable development of ecologically sensitive regions in countries across the world. Full article
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19 pages, 6200 KiB  
Article
Recreational Green Space Service in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area: A Multiple Travel Modes Perspective
by Chen Weng, Jingyi Wang, Chunming Li, Rencai Dong, Chencan Lv, Yaran Jiao and Yonglin Zhang
Land 2022, 11(11), 2072; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112072 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1290
Abstract
Recreational green space (RGS) offers the most intuitive place for urban residents to get in touch with nature. The service radiation of RGS is related to the travel mode, however, residents’ travel behavior has long been ignored in the study of RGS services. [...] Read more.
Recreational green space (RGS) offers the most intuitive place for urban residents to get in touch with nature. The service radiation of RGS is related to the travel mode, however, residents’ travel behavior has long been ignored in the study of RGS services. This paper considers the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), uses multi-source data, refines the spatial distribution of residents, extracts and classifies the RGS into three categories (township (TRGS), country (CRGS), and urban (URGS)), and analyzes the spatial distribution of the three types of RGS. Using the travel isochrone, the RGS services coverage (including spatial and population coverage) in 11 cities within the GBA is defined by multiple travel modes. Finally, a comprehensive evaluation of the RGS services in the GBA is conducted based on the residents’ transportation choice willingness and recreational selection. The results showed that: (1) TRGSs are mainly distributed in the suburbs, URGSs are mainly concentrated in the mid-western and southern regions, and CRGSs are mostly concentrated in the center of the GBA. (2) For daily travel (15-min and 30-min travel modes), the coverage of the RGS services is unevenly distributed, while under the 60-min travel mode, the RGS services can almost fully cover the residents in the GBA (SPURGS > 99%). (3) The RGS service of the central cities (Hong Kong, Macau) is better than that of the edge cities (Zhaoqing, Jiangmen), and the different city types should adopt different RGS planning and management strategies. This study provides a reference for RGS refined planning and maintenance in mega-urban agglomerations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Planning for Human Wellbeing in Asia)
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