Analysis of Driving Factors of Cropland Productivity in Northeast China Using OPGD-SHAP Framework

In the context of climate change and ecological degradation, enhancing cropland productivity in Northeast China is essential for ensuring national food security. This study adopted an integrated framework combining the optimal parameter-based geographical detector (OPGD) and SHapley Additive exPlana...

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Main Authors: Runzhao Gao, Hongyan Cai, Xinliang Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/5/1010
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author Runzhao Gao
Hongyan Cai
Xinliang Xu
author_facet Runzhao Gao
Hongyan Cai
Xinliang Xu
author_sort Runzhao Gao
collection DOAJ
description In the context of climate change and ecological degradation, enhancing cropland productivity in Northeast China is essential for ensuring national food security. This study adopted an integrated framework combining the optimal parameter-based geographical detector (OPGD) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to identify key drivers of average and total cropland productivity at the county level from 2001 to 2020. Growing-season-based cropland Net Primary Productivity (NPP) was estimated using the CASA model to represent cropland productivity. Results indicated that natural and ecological factors significantly dominated the spatial variation of cropland productivity, with their interactions amplified through dual-factor or nonlinear enhancements. Various machine learning models were fine-tuned and compared, and optimal models were selected for subsequent SHAP analysis. The findings revealed that erosion intensity exhibited the most significant impact on cropland productivity, whereas the effect of precipitation shifted from negative to positive, with a clear threshold of around 400 mm—matching the boundary between China’s semi-arid and semi-humid regions. Low-elevation plains (<300 m) and gentle slopes (<0.5°) predominately promoted total cropland productivity. Interactions between erosion and fertilizer intensity highlighted the need for moderate fertilization to prevent ecological degradation in severely eroded counties. These findings provide scientific support for targeted cropland management aimed at achieving sustainable agriculture in Northeast China.
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spelling doaj-art-20e17b7f6cfa48958bf9e6572b5781bc2025-08-20T02:33:47ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-05-01145101010.3390/land14051010Analysis of Driving Factors of Cropland Productivity in Northeast China Using OPGD-SHAP FrameworkRunzhao Gao0Hongyan Cai1Xinliang Xu2State Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaIn the context of climate change and ecological degradation, enhancing cropland productivity in Northeast China is essential for ensuring national food security. This study adopted an integrated framework combining the optimal parameter-based geographical detector (OPGD) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to identify key drivers of average and total cropland productivity at the county level from 2001 to 2020. Growing-season-based cropland Net Primary Productivity (NPP) was estimated using the CASA model to represent cropland productivity. Results indicated that natural and ecological factors significantly dominated the spatial variation of cropland productivity, with their interactions amplified through dual-factor or nonlinear enhancements. Various machine learning models were fine-tuned and compared, and optimal models were selected for subsequent SHAP analysis. The findings revealed that erosion intensity exhibited the most significant impact on cropland productivity, whereas the effect of precipitation shifted from negative to positive, with a clear threshold of around 400 mm—matching the boundary between China’s semi-arid and semi-humid regions. Low-elevation plains (<300 m) and gentle slopes (<0.5°) predominately promoted total cropland productivity. Interactions between erosion and fertilizer intensity highlighted the need for moderate fertilization to prevent ecological degradation in severely eroded counties. These findings provide scientific support for targeted cropland management aimed at achieving sustainable agriculture in Northeast China.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/5/1010Northeast Chinacropland productivityoptimal parameter-based geographical detectorinterpretable machine learningSHapley Additive exPlanations
spellingShingle Runzhao Gao
Hongyan Cai
Xinliang Xu
Analysis of Driving Factors of Cropland Productivity in Northeast China Using OPGD-SHAP Framework
Land
Northeast China
cropland productivity
optimal parameter-based geographical detector
interpretable machine learning
SHapley Additive exPlanations
title Analysis of Driving Factors of Cropland Productivity in Northeast China Using OPGD-SHAP Framework
title_full Analysis of Driving Factors of Cropland Productivity in Northeast China Using OPGD-SHAP Framework
title_fullStr Analysis of Driving Factors of Cropland Productivity in Northeast China Using OPGD-SHAP Framework
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of Driving Factors of Cropland Productivity in Northeast China Using OPGD-SHAP Framework
title_short Analysis of Driving Factors of Cropland Productivity in Northeast China Using OPGD-SHAP Framework
title_sort analysis of driving factors of cropland productivity in northeast china using opgd shap framework
topic Northeast China
cropland productivity
optimal parameter-based geographical detector
interpretable machine learning
SHapley Additive exPlanations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/5/1010
work_keys_str_mv AT runzhaogao analysisofdrivingfactorsofcroplandproductivityinnortheastchinausingopgdshapframework
AT hongyancai analysisofdrivingfactorsofcroplandproductivityinnortheastchinausingopgdshapframework
AT xinliangxu analysisofdrivingfactorsofcroplandproductivityinnortheastchinausingopgdshapframework