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Research on the Measurement, Spatiotemporal Variations and Improvement Strategies of Sustainable Intensification of Cultivated Land

Rui Duan
Scientific Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, (2026), Vol.8, No.7, pp.228-238
Published: July 29, 2026
DOI: 10.54691/6gszey75
PDF: Download Full Text PDF
Abstract

Research on the level of sustainable and intensive arable land use contributes to promoting the sustainable and intensive development of arable land use in China, advancing sustainable agricultural development, and ensuring national food security. Taking the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River—a key grain-producing region in China—as a case study, this paper constructs an evaluation index system based on the relevant concepts of sustainable and intensive arable land use. By employing the super-efficiency SBM model and the Moran’s I index, the study calculates the level of sustainable and intensive arable land use and examines its spatiotemporal variation across six major provinces in the region. The results indicate that: (1) From 2014 to 2023, the overall level of sustainable and intensive arable land utilization in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River reached 0.77, which is relatively high. It generally showed a steady upward trend, though some provinces still have room for improvement. (2) In terms of temporal evolution trends, significant differences in the levels of sustainable and intensive arable land use were observed across provinces, which gradually narrowed over time, exhibiting the characteristics of “stability at high levels,” “fluctuations in the middle,” “rising from low levels,” and “differences with commonalities.” (3) In terms of spatial correlation, there is a certain degree of negative correlation among the sustainable intensive utilization levels of arable land across provinces in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River; regions with high levels are more likely to be adjacent to those with low levels. (4) Targeted strategies for the sustainable and intensive development of arable land utilization—such as increasing the input of green elements into arable land and achieving large-scale agricultural operations—can provide a reference for the green utilization of arable land.

Keywords: Sustainable intensification of cultivated land, Spatial and temporal differentiation, Super efficiency SBM model, Moran’s index.
APA Citation: Rui Duan (2026). Research on the Measurement, Spatiotemporal Variations and Improvement Strategies of Sustainable Intensification of Cultivated Land. Scientific Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 8(7), 228-238. https://doi.org/10.54691/6gszey75

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