Land Use Changes of an Aeolian-Loessial Soil Area in Northwest China: Implications for Ecological Restoration

摘要

China has experienced dramatic land use changes over recent decades, with marked environmental and socio-economic consequences. Hengshan County, located in the aeolian-loessial area of Northwest China, was investigated to illustrate land use changes and their implications for environmental and long-term rural economic development. The farmland in Hengshan County significantly decreased during 1990-2003, whereas forest land and grassland increased. The conversion rates of farmland, orchard land, forest land and construction land varied markedly among different periods: 1990-1995, 1995-2000 and 2000-2003. Conversion of orchard land, grassland and construction land was dominant in 1990-1995, whereas the conversion of farmland to forest land mainly occurred in 2000-2003. The results suggested a profound transition in institutional policy and political economy of land management, including implementation of integrated soil erosion control projects, adoption of a market-oriented economy and the ' Grain-for-Green' policy, during this period in China. To achieve long-term sustainable land use in Hengshan County, efforts should aim at increasing off-farm income of rural families as well as establishing land-economizing mechanisms to promote land productivity, in addition to conservation measures.