Assessing the Multifunctionalities of Land use in China

Abstract

Human activities drive spatio-temporal changes in land use that in turn lead to changes in land use functions. Land use in China is highly dynamic and particularly important for global sustainable development. However, the Chinese decision makers face significant difficulties anticipating the complex interlinkages that determine land use and the future impacts of development policies on sustainability. This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework for assessing the multifunctionalities of China's land use and to simulate land use changes between 2010 and 2025 as a response to a new land conversion policy. Functional changes of land use are also examined. The SENSOR approach of scenario analysis and land use functions is adopted for the study. It is found that land conversion policy affects significantly land use patterns in China that is featured as decreases in arable land, grassland, and built-up areas, and increment in forest land area. Of all land use functions defined, economic and social functions increased significantly, while environmental purification and supporting functions decreased dramatically. Regulation function nonetheless increased. The integrated conceptual framework will help various levels of governments to develop land utilization policies that can contribute directly to sustainable development in China.