Cai Yun-long

Sustainability in agriculture: a general review

Abstract This paper presents a framework within which the sustainability of agricultural systems can be assessed. The model recognizes biophysical, socio-political and techno-economic dimensions of agriculture and its sustainability, and distinguishes spatial scales, from the field to the globe, at which agricultural sustainability can be considered. Each theme implies a different emphasis and a distinct set of analytical questions. Sustainable agriculture should combine all the components of ‘sound husbandry’ into a united package.

Sustainability in Chinese agriculture: challenge and hope

Abstract Based upon a framework of three (i.e. biophysical, sociopolitical and techno-economic) dimensions of sustainability in agriculture, this paper discusses the current situation of Chinese agriculture in relation to sustainability. The main challenges are population pressure, land degradation, environmental pollution, global climate change, non-agricultural activities, market uncertainty, low level of capital investment, and some policy and behavioural conditions. However, there are opportunities related to natural resources, labour, education, science and technology, and some models of sustainable farming which already exist.

Land use and management in PR China: problems and strategies.

The pressure of the Chinese population on the land is increasingly severe and serious issues confront land management. In future, Chinas development strategy must involve low resources expenditure in production and appropriate goods consumption. Land conservation and environmental protection must be the basic strategies of land use. Efficiency of land use should be increased and traditional agriculture must be transformed. Policy should be determined according to different regional conditions. Some approaches to Implementing these strategies are suggested. These are: control of population and expenditure; expansion and conservation of forest vegetation; increase In agricultural investment; reformation of land tenure; adjustment of land product prices; development of Industries, science and education; continuous reform of economic and political systems; and strengthening land administration.

Land cover changes and landscape dynamics assessment in lower reaches of Tarim River in China

The Tarim River Basin, located in the typical arid region, is one of the key regions of LUCC research in China and plays and important role in maintaining the sustainable development of the western China. In recent years, the ecological environment of the Tarim River Basin has degraded greatly. In the lower reaches, in particular, the riverbed has been dried up for more than 20 years, which accelerated the desertification and has been a great threat to people’s lives. Taking the section of the Tarim River between Qiala Lake and Taitema Lake as a typical region, an investigation on land cover changes was carried out with the support of remote sensing information of 1988 and 2000 respectively. The changes of land cover in this region were obtained: 1) Cropland tended to increase. 2) Urban or Built-up Area in 2000 was 324.4ha more than that in 1988. 3) Waters expanded by 3476.51ha. 4) Woodland and Grassland decreased, while Barren Land increased by 3824.9ha. The total amount of land use/land cover change between 1988 and 2000 is small, which is only 0.355% of the total area. It shows that the developmental pace of the lower reaches of the Tarim River is relative slow. Based on these results, the authors assessed the landscape dynamics of this region and pointed out that the degree of desertification was strengthened and the landscape dominated by sand land was further characterized by salt desert.

Vulnerability and adaptation of Chinese agriculture to global climate change

Global climate change is now widely recognized, although some uncertainties remain. Being sensitive to climatic conditions, agriculture will be influenced by climatic changes. The major effects can be generalized as changes in the geographical limits to agriculture, changes in crop yields and impacts on agricultural systems. Chinese agriculture is particularly sensitive to climatic change and variability. Given prospects for huge population increase and the already intense utilization of resources, there is a serious threat to China’s ability to feed itself. Thus, adaptation and adjustment to climatic change are urgently in need of attention. Climate is inherently variable and uncertain, so researchers should recognize this reality of climate in assessing implication for agriculture. A variety of approaches are suggested to reduce food production’s when appraising the effect of climate change on vulnerability to climate.

HUMAN DRIVING MECHANISM OF REGIONAL LAND USE CHANGE: A CASE STUDY OF KARST MOUNTAIN AREAS OF SOUTHWESTERN CHINA

Based on analysis of the change of land use and related social-economic factors in karst mountain areas of southwestern China, the index system characterizing land use change and its human driving forces in county scale is put forward. Then the relationship of land use change and the driving forces is studied by statistic analysis to identify quantitatively the contribution of human forces and their differences in driving land use change. Moreover, taking the Luodian County as the case, a model simulating the annual change of cultivated land area under the driving of human forces is built. Result of the study will supply reference for the management of the relationship of man and land in karst mountain areas of southern-western China, and accumulate research experience for further study on land use/cover change.