Decoupling relationship between the non-grain production and intensification of cultivated land in China based on Tapio decoupling model

Abstract

Promoting the level of intensive use of cultivated land (IUCL) and achieving zero or negative growth of non-grain production of cultivated land (NGPCL) is essential to fully utilize cultivated land resources and ensure world food security. China is an active contributor to global food security, but its current research on the interrelationships between NGPCL and IUCL is not deep enough. Therefore, on the basis of establishing the mechanism of NGPCL and IUCL, we constructed an evaluation index system for each, and investigated the decoupling characteristics of NGPCL and IUCL in China and its 31 provinces using the Tapio decoupling model. The findings indicated that: (1) From 1990 to 2019, China's NGPCL fluctuated and decreased but showed an increasing trend after 2017, while the overall IUCL fluctuated and increased, and the level of NGPCL and IUCL in each province had evident spatial distribution. (2) The decoupling characteristics of China's NGPCL and IUCL showed a spiral change of “expansive negative decoupling–weak decoupling–strong negative decoupling–strong decoupling–expansive connection,” and the evolution of cultivated land utilization involved the “pursuit of horticulture–more rationalization–pursuit of ecology–rationalization–transition”. (3) The decoupling statuses of 31 provinces were mainly weak and strong decoupling, among which strong decoupling provinces were concentrated in the main grain-production areas in the northeast and east, and more provinces in the western production and marketing balance and main grain-marketing areas showed expansive negative and strong negative decoupling. Based on the research results, we propose specific measures to strengthen the protection and utilization of cultivated land resources.