Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China
The central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China (CFPENC), a key food-producing region, faces significant water resource challenges due to intensified agricultural activities. To address this, China initiated a pilot crop-fallow rotation system, yet its practical application remains largely un...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Agricultural Water Management |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425002847 |
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| author | Xin Chen Pingli An Yaoyao Li Guoliang Zhang Yuling Jin Yi Zhou Haile Zhao Luying Li Zhihua Pan |
| author_facet | Xin Chen Pingli An Yaoyao Li Guoliang Zhang Yuling Jin Yi Zhou Haile Zhao Luying Li Zhihua Pan |
| author_sort | Xin Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China (CFPENC), a key food-producing region, faces significant water resource challenges due to intensified agricultural activities. To address this, China initiated a pilot crop-fallow rotation system, yet its practical application remains largely unexplored. In this context, we developed a sensitive and high-resolution evaluation indicator for cropland use intensity (cLUI), using Ulanqab as a case study to investigate its spatiotemporal dynamics and ecological impacts over the past decade. Our analysis revealed an overall increase in Ulanqab's cLUI, with 59.09% of townships showing upward trends while 40.91% demonstrated downward shifts. Notably, the proportion of cropland exhibiting decreased cLUI was marginally higher. From 2010–2014, cLUI levels in Houshan and Qianshan were comparable, but Houshan significantly exceeded Qianshan from 2015 to 2019. Irrigated fields had the highest cLUI, followed by center pivot irrigation (CPI) fields and rainfed fields, with the fields implementing the green depressing cropping system (GDCS) showing the lowest. Approximately one-fifth of croplands exhibit moderate cLUI. Rising cLUI levels may exacerbate surface water shrinkage and groundwater depletion. Finally, we proposed a crop-fallow rotation regulation strategy to promote sustainable water management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3d0e4e7b8ffb40bf8d25b8ef68ae7789 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1873-2283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agricultural Water Management |
| spelling | doaj-art-3d0e4e7b8ffb40bf8d25b8ef68ae77892025-08-20T03:05:46ZengElsevierAgricultural Water Management1873-22832025-07-0131610957010.1016/j.agwat.2025.109570Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern ChinaXin Chen0Pingli An1Yaoyao Li2Guoliang Zhang3Yuling Jin4Yi Zhou5Haile Zhao6Luying Li7Zhihua Pan8Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration on Loess Plateau, Institute of Loess Plateau, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaCollege of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Correspondance to: College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian, Beijing 100193, China.College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Correspondance to: College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian, Beijing 100193, China.Jinan Academy of Social Sciences, Jinan 250099, ChinaCollege of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaSchool of Geographical Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha Hunan 410081, ChinaCollege of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration on Loess Plateau, Institute of Loess Plateau, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environmental Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaThe central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China (CFPENC), a key food-producing region, faces significant water resource challenges due to intensified agricultural activities. To address this, China initiated a pilot crop-fallow rotation system, yet its practical application remains largely unexplored. In this context, we developed a sensitive and high-resolution evaluation indicator for cropland use intensity (cLUI), using Ulanqab as a case study to investigate its spatiotemporal dynamics and ecological impacts over the past decade. Our analysis revealed an overall increase in Ulanqab's cLUI, with 59.09% of townships showing upward trends while 40.91% demonstrated downward shifts. Notably, the proportion of cropland exhibiting decreased cLUI was marginally higher. From 2010–2014, cLUI levels in Houshan and Qianshan were comparable, but Houshan significantly exceeded Qianshan from 2015 to 2019. Irrigated fields had the highest cLUI, followed by center pivot irrigation (CPI) fields and rainfed fields, with the fields implementing the green depressing cropping system (GDCS) showing the lowest. Approximately one-fifth of croplands exhibit moderate cLUI. Rising cLUI levels may exacerbate surface water shrinkage and groundwater depletion. Finally, we proposed a crop-fallow rotation regulation strategy to promote sustainable water management.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425002847Cropland use intensityFallowRemote sensingEarth observation evidenceFarming-pastoral ecotone of northern China |
| spellingShingle | Xin Chen Pingli An Yaoyao Li Guoliang Zhang Yuling Jin Yi Zhou Haile Zhao Luying Li Zhihua Pan Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China Agricultural Water Management Cropland use intensity Fallow Remote sensing Earth observation evidence Farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China |
| title | Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China |
| title_full | Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China |
| title_fullStr | Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China |
| title_short | Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China |
| title_sort | lowering cropland use intensity through crop fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming pastoral ecotone of northern china |
| topic | Cropland use intensity Fallow Remote sensing Earth observation evidence Farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425002847 |
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