Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Assessment of Cropland in Typical Grain-Producing Regions Based on Carbon Footprint Improvement
The challenges of limited cropland resources and ecological degradation in grain-producing areas were addressed in this study within the broader context of China’s ecological civilization and dual carbon goals. An integrated framework was employed, applying the three-dimensional ecological footprint...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Peipei Pan Xiaowen Yuan Yanan Jiang Yuan Wang Xinyun Wang Yongqiang Cao |
| author_facet | Peipei Pan Xiaowen Yuan Yanan Jiang Yuan Wang Xinyun Wang Yongqiang Cao |
| author_sort | Peipei Pan |
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| description | The challenges of limited cropland resources and ecological degradation in grain-producing areas were addressed in this study within the broader context of China’s ecological civilization and dual carbon goals. An integrated framework was employed, applying the three-dimensional ecological footprint (EF<sub>3d</sub>) model, enhanced by carbon footprint improvement, to assess cropland at the provincial, municipal, and county levels. The analysis indicated a rise in both carbon absorption and emissions, resulting in a carbon surplus. Since 1984, chemical fertilizers have been identified as the predominant source of carbon emissions. Carbon absorption was found to vary distinctly among the four crops. Additionally, carbon fluxes displayed notable spatial and temporal variability. The ecological deficit persisted, showing distinct spatial clustering. Moreover, the cropland ecological footprint breadth (EF<sub>size</sub>) was found to exhibit a pattern of decrease–increase–decrease, while cropland occupation remained high. The ecological footprint depth (EF<sub>depth</sub>) consistently surpassed the threshold of 1. Spatially, the distribution pattern of cropland EF<sub>size</sub> was opposite to that of EF<sub>depth</sub>; the centroid of per capita cropland EF<sub>depth</sub> underwent a significant spatial shift. The cropland EF<sub>3d</sub> was observed to experience a downward trend, with considerable regional disparities. Furthermore, unsustainable use of cropland was observed across multiple scales. This research provides an empirical foundation for promoting advancing ecological agriculture and sustainable cropland use practices. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-78185ff9908e47abb3c9362406e4aa4a2025-08-20T03:13:50ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-04-0114485210.3390/land14040852Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Assessment of Cropland in Typical Grain-Producing Regions Based on Carbon Footprint ImprovementPeipei Pan0Xiaowen Yuan1Yanan Jiang2Yuan Wang3Xinyun Wang4Yongqiang Cao5School of Geographic Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, ChinaSchool of Geographic Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, ChinaSchool of Geographic Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, ChinaSchool of Geographic Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, ChinaAcademy of Eco-Civilization Development for Jing-Jin-Ji Megalopolis, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, ChinaThe challenges of limited cropland resources and ecological degradation in grain-producing areas were addressed in this study within the broader context of China’s ecological civilization and dual carbon goals. An integrated framework was employed, applying the three-dimensional ecological footprint (EF<sub>3d</sub>) model, enhanced by carbon footprint improvement, to assess cropland at the provincial, municipal, and county levels. The analysis indicated a rise in both carbon absorption and emissions, resulting in a carbon surplus. Since 1984, chemical fertilizers have been identified as the predominant source of carbon emissions. Carbon absorption was found to vary distinctly among the four crops. Additionally, carbon fluxes displayed notable spatial and temporal variability. The ecological deficit persisted, showing distinct spatial clustering. Moreover, the cropland ecological footprint breadth (EF<sub>size</sub>) was found to exhibit a pattern of decrease–increase–decrease, while cropland occupation remained high. The ecological footprint depth (EF<sub>depth</sub>) consistently surpassed the threshold of 1. Spatially, the distribution pattern of cropland EF<sub>size</sub> was opposite to that of EF<sub>depth</sub>; the centroid of per capita cropland EF<sub>depth</sub> underwent a significant spatial shift. The cropland EF<sub>3d</sub> was observed to experience a downward trend, with considerable regional disparities. Furthermore, unsustainable use of cropland was observed across multiple scales. This research provides an empirical foundation for promoting advancing ecological agriculture and sustainable cropland use practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/852carbon footprintthree-dimensional ecological footprintspatiotemporal patternsustainable cropland utilizationHebei Province |
| spellingShingle | Peipei Pan Xiaowen Yuan Yanan Jiang Yuan Wang Xinyun Wang Yongqiang Cao Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Assessment of Cropland in Typical Grain-Producing Regions Based on Carbon Footprint Improvement Land carbon footprint three-dimensional ecological footprint spatiotemporal pattern sustainable cropland utilization Hebei Province |
| title | Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Assessment of Cropland in Typical Grain-Producing Regions Based on Carbon Footprint Improvement |
| title_full | Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Assessment of Cropland in Typical Grain-Producing Regions Based on Carbon Footprint Improvement |
| title_fullStr | Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Assessment of Cropland in Typical Grain-Producing Regions Based on Carbon Footprint Improvement |
| title_full_unstemmed | Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Assessment of Cropland in Typical Grain-Producing Regions Based on Carbon Footprint Improvement |
| title_short | Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Assessment of Cropland in Typical Grain-Producing Regions Based on Carbon Footprint Improvement |
| title_sort | three dimensional ecological footprint assessment of cropland in typical grain producing regions based on carbon footprint improvement |
| topic | carbon footprint three-dimensional ecological footprint spatiotemporal pattern sustainable cropland utilization Hebei Province |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/852 |
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