Abstract
This study proposed a multi-criteria evaluation system for arable land resources by combining the soil integrated fertility index (IFI) with a soil cleanliness index (based on heavy metals and metalloid content). A total of 16 typical arable land units in Chongming District, China, were evaluated using the proposed evaluation system based on 104 collected soil samples in 16 towns. The comprehensive soil evaluation scores of arable lands in 16 towns were in the range of 90.7 to 99.2 with a mean of 96.2, indicating that the arable land in all 16 towns was at the level of excellent (≥ 90.0). Lower cleanliness indices had a significant impact on the final evaluation score. In comparison with single-index evaluation systems (i.e., the IFI or soil cleanliness index), the proposed multi-criteria system better reflects the quality of the soil. In the practice of arable land requisition and subsidy policy, the proposed multi-criteria evaluation system not only encourages farmers to preserve arable lands during farming but also helps agricultural authorities make effective and reliable management decisions.
Highlights
Arable land is the basis of agricultural production, and its quality is essential for crop security and ecological sustainability (Stenberg 1999)
The concentrations of Total organic matter (TOM) of all 16 towns were in the range of 13.3 ± 2.61 g/kg to 22.9 ± 3.45 g/kg (Table 1)
For Av-K, 8 of 16 towns were at level 1 (> 200 mg/kg), 6 of 16 towns were at level 2 (150–200 mg/kg), and 2 of 16 towns were at level 3 (100–150 mg/kg, Table 1)
Summary
Arable land is the basis of agricultural production, and its quality is essential for crop security and ecological sustainability (Stenberg 1999). It represents a key component in the synchronization of urban and rural development. Rapid economic development and industrialization degrade the arable land in China (Hu et al 2016; Zhao et al 2014).
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