Consequences of Land Use in an Intensive Region in North China Plain

Abstract

Land use changes and land intensification has played a more and more important role in food production. The environment has been influenced by it greatly. Land use data were derived from several sources: aerial photographs, current land use maps, Second National Soil Survey (SNSS) map, and fieldwork. The aerial photographs, 1:50,000 for both 1980 and 2006 were obtained from the Department of Surveys and Mapping (DSM). Bulk soil samples were collected at 79 sites across Quzhou district. Samples were collected again at the same locations in 2000 and 2006. To compare the soil data of 2006, 2000 and 1980, latitude and longitude of the sampling locations were recorded using the Global Position System at the time of soil collection. The samples site selection was done on behalf of the Second National Soil Survey. A great change had taken place in land use and land use intensification. The changes, which have converted natural landscapes into the use for human, have made a large proportion of the Quhzou’s landscape change greatly.