Carbon Functions of Agricultural Land Use and Economy across China: A Correlation Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Release of CO2 has caused significant climate change, and agricultural land use consitutes an important carbon source as well as principal carbon sinks. This paper, by examining carbon functions of main agricultural land in China, shows that in 2000-2008 the annual growth rate of carbon emission for arable land amounted to 2.47 percent, the average annual growth of carbon sinks for forest reached 3.19 percent, and the diminishing rate of carbon sink for grassland turned to be small but quite distinct. For arable land, higher carbon emissions are mainly located in its central provinces and major agricultural provinces, while higher carbon intensity in its eastern coastal provinces. Agricultural land of 9 provinces in China was found with net carbon emissions, primarily in the agricultural provinces and ecologically fragile urban areas, whereas the other 22 provinces with net carbon sinks. The EKC tests between carbon intensity of agricultural land and agricultural output per capita illustrate a significant inverted Ucurve relationship; as for agricultural output per capita, the inflection point of 9,615 RMB yuan was surpassed by 11 provinces, mainly in eastern China, developed cities and the northeast region. Finally, policy recommendations are proposed to reduce carbon emissions of agricultural land use across China.