Anthropogenic activities accelerate LULC conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro-pastoral ecotone development

Abstract Despite the ecological and socioeconomic importance of agro-pastoral ecotones, changes in land use and land cover (LULC) and their driving mechanisms are not comprehensively understood. In this study, a systematic framework for LULC assessment covering comprehensive timeframes was construct...

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Main Authors: Jing Jin, Zilong Liao, Tiejun Liu, Mingxin Wang, Jing Zhang, Xinjian Zhang, Yining Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98263-x
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author Jing Jin
Zilong Liao
Tiejun Liu
Mingxin Wang
Jing Zhang
Xinjian Zhang
Yining Fan
author_facet Jing Jin
Zilong Liao
Tiejun Liu
Mingxin Wang
Jing Zhang
Xinjian Zhang
Yining Fan
author_sort Jing Jin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Despite the ecological and socioeconomic importance of agro-pastoral ecotones, changes in land use and land cover (LULC) and their driving mechanisms are not comprehensively understood. In this study, a systematic framework for LULC assessment covering comprehensive timeframes was constructed for the Tabu watershed. Results demonstrated that a new process of LULC changes began in 1998, with a significant increase in farmland and decrease in grassland. The increase in dynamic degrees and structural variation coefficients indicated intensive and frequent changes in LULC. Conversion ratios between grassland and farmland exceeded 95%, and construction land encroached upon grassland. Grassland changes were driven mainly by natural factors based on the random forest regression, as well as changes in farmland and construction land. The influence of anthropogenic drivers on LULC became significant. Under the sustainable development scenario, the increase in grassland with a high fractional vegetation cover in 2034 was the most significant, the area of bare land decreased, the area of construction land steadily increased, and the reduction in farmland area was under control. Under this scenario, both socioeconomic development and ecosystem stability can be achieved. This study provides insights into regional land dynamics and provides systematic guidance for sustainable land management.
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issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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spelling doaj-art-1ef01aea38564891bc5e2842edfb84772025-08-20T02:19:55ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-98263-xAnthropogenic activities accelerate LULC conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro-pastoral ecotone developmentJing Jin0Zilong Liao1Tiejun Liu2Mingxin Wang3Jing Zhang4Xinjian Zhang5Yining Fan6Yinshanbeilu Grassland Eco-Hydrology National Observation and Research Station, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (MWR)Yinshanbeilu Grassland Eco-Hydrology National Observation and Research Station, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (MWR)Yinshanbeilu Grassland Eco-Hydrology National Observation and Research Station, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (MWR)Yinshanbeilu Grassland Eco-Hydrology National Observation and Research Station, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (MWR)Yinshanbeilu Grassland Eco-Hydrology National Observation and Research Station, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (MWR)Institute of Pastoral Hydraulic Research, MWRHebei University of EngineeringAbstract Despite the ecological and socioeconomic importance of agro-pastoral ecotones, changes in land use and land cover (LULC) and their driving mechanisms are not comprehensively understood. In this study, a systematic framework for LULC assessment covering comprehensive timeframes was constructed for the Tabu watershed. Results demonstrated that a new process of LULC changes began in 1998, with a significant increase in farmland and decrease in grassland. The increase in dynamic degrees and structural variation coefficients indicated intensive and frequent changes in LULC. Conversion ratios between grassland and farmland exceeded 95%, and construction land encroached upon grassland. Grassland changes were driven mainly by natural factors based on the random forest regression, as well as changes in farmland and construction land. The influence of anthropogenic drivers on LULC became significant. Under the sustainable development scenario, the increase in grassland with a high fractional vegetation cover in 2034 was the most significant, the area of bare land decreased, the area of construction land steadily increased, and the reduction in farmland area was under control. Under this scenario, both socioeconomic development and ecosystem stability can be achieved. This study provides insights into regional land dynamics and provides systematic guidance for sustainable land management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98263-xTabu watershedTimescaleNew processRandom forest regressionMarkov–PLUS modelSustainable development
spellingShingle Jing Jin
Zilong Liao
Tiejun Liu
Mingxin Wang
Jing Zhang
Xinjian Zhang
Yining Fan
Anthropogenic activities accelerate LULC conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro-pastoral ecotone development
Scientific Reports
Tabu watershed
Timescale
New process
Random forest regression
Markov–PLUS model
Sustainable development
title Anthropogenic activities accelerate LULC conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro-pastoral ecotone development
title_full Anthropogenic activities accelerate LULC conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro-pastoral ecotone development
title_fullStr Anthropogenic activities accelerate LULC conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro-pastoral ecotone development
title_full_unstemmed Anthropogenic activities accelerate LULC conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro-pastoral ecotone development
title_short Anthropogenic activities accelerate LULC conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro-pastoral ecotone development
title_sort anthropogenic activities accelerate lulc conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro pastoral ecotone development
topic Tabu watershed
Timescale
New process
Random forest regression
Markov–PLUS model
Sustainable development
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98263-x
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