Conversion Of Agricultural Land Research Articles

Variations in Soil Organic Carbon after Farmland Conversion to Apple Orchard

The Chinese Loess Plateau has undergone extensive revegetation to restore degraded land and enhance carbon sequestration. However, soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestrated in the soil profiles of deep-rooted plants has not been fully studied. Here, we investigated the SOC within a 0–23 m profile in farmlands and apple orchards converted from farmlands with different ages (A5, <5 years; A10, ~10 years; A15, ~15 years; A20, >20 years) and the controlling factors on three loess tablelands (Changwu, Qingyang, and Luochuan). The results show that SOC stocks among farmlands and orchards showed no significant difference (p = 0.88); however, SOC stocks showed a trend with tree ages, i.e., a decrease for A5 and A10 but an increase for A15 and A20. For the vertical variability, the SOC stock was the highest within 0–1 m, regardless of the standing age; however, the SOC stock in this layer only accounted for 8.8% of the total SOC stock (97.93 ± 9.18 kg m−2). Climate accounted for 82% of the variations and controlled the changes in SOC in the 0–1 m range, while soil texture dominated the SOC in the soil below 1 m, accounting for 57% of the SOC variations. The variations in SOC in the thick, unsaturated zones provide implications for future land use management and the sustainability of apple orchards in arid regions.

Effect of Water and Rice Husk Ratio in Water-Based Planting Medium on Growth of Three Rice Varieties (Oryza sativa L.)

The agricultural sector faces two serious threats: declining production due to agricultural land conversion and water shortages due to global warming. Therefore, an agricultural system that accommodates the use of vacant land and water saving, in this case, urban farming with the use of soil-less media can be applied. In recent studies, both innovations have shown positive results in various commodities but have not been explored much specifically for rice crops. This study observed the effect of soilless media application (mixed water and rice husks media) on the growth of rice. This experiment was conducted in Sumber Jeruk, Jember (altitude 281 m asl, temperature 21-31°C, RH 65-75%), January-June 2022. The experiment used a completely randomized design with two factors and three replications. The first factor was the ratio of water to rice husk (1:0; 4:1; and 8:1). The second factor was rice varieties (Inpari 46, IR 64, and Mapan 05). The combination of Mapan 05 and media ratio 4:1 showed the highest result on shoot fresh weight (351.95 g) and root fresh weight (346.35 g). Meanwhile, the highest number of root length (45.20 cm) was found in the combination of Mapan 05 and media ratio 8:1. Moreover, Mapan 05 (93.94 cm) and Inpari 46 (93.88 cm) showed no significant difference in plant height. It can be concluded that soil-less media 8;1 promotes the highest result on rice plant growth observed.

Savanna chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) crop feeding at Dindefelo, Senegal: challenges and implications for conservation.

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are categorized as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and habitat loss due to conversion of land for agriculture is one of the major threats to wild populations of this species. This challenging scenario can lead to negative human-chimpanzee interactions, includingcrop feeding. Chimpanzees consume crops across their geographical range, although little is known about this behavior in savanna habitats. Here we provide new evidence of crop feeding by savanna chimpanzees. We conducted our observations at Dindefelo, a community nature reserve in southeastern Senegal. The chimpanzees were observed to feed on mango (Mangifera indica) and also on baobab (Adansonia digitata), a wild species considered a crop by local people when found in and around villages. Although local people use the fruits of these species for food and income, they tolerated crop-feeding events until recently. In 2023, a case of harassment of a crop-feeding chimpanzee in a mango orchard was witnessed, and four days later a chimpanzee corpse was found at the same place. We conclude that habitat conversion into agricultural fields, uncontrolled bush fires and extraction of wild fruits are the important factors influencing crop-feeding events at Dindefelo. Our findings highlight the need to better understand human-chimpanzee interactions in the anthropogenic landscape of Dindefelo to help mitigate negative attitudes and behaviors towards chimpanzees.

Political economy of the ‘agrarian–urban frontier’ in Pakistan: Agrarian transformation, social reproduction and exploitation

AbstractThe paper underscores the need to reconsider the ontological separation between processes of production and reproduction in the context of agrarian‐urban interlinkages. It synthesizes ‘value theory of inclusion’ with a notion of ‘unfair bargaining power’ to offer a new understanding of processes of agrarian change in the context of Pakistan. Expansion of the agrarian–urban frontier, one of the defining characteristics of the contemporary agrarian change in Pakistan, constitutes a crucial yet undertheorized site of value extraction. The paper shows that contemporary processes of capital accumulation rely on the swift conversion of agricultural land into commercial real estate, manifested in the form of gated housing enclaves. This process, on the one hand, accelerates the devalourization of small‐farm‐based production, and on the other hand, it allows affluent residents of gated housing enclaves to extract gendered surplus labour in the form of domestic workers from the growing pool of ‘classes of labour’. In short, the expansion of agrarian–urban frontier is predicated on devalourization of agrarian livelihoods and exploitation of women's labour.

Impacts of environmental and socioeconomic factors on gross ecosystem product of the Three Gorges reservoir area, China

AbstractEnvironmental and socioeconomic drivers would alter landscapes, bringing various effects with different directions and magnitudes. Demonstrating these driving effects is key to relieving the conflicts between territorial vegetation restoration and regional economic growth. However, the relationship between ecological protection and economic development due to landscape dynamics has not been systematically demonstrated as environment is difficult to quantify by the monetary value. In this article, we explored the changes in gross ecosystem product (GEP) in the Three Gorges (TG) reservoir area and constructed a conceptual framework to explicate its driving mechanism. Our results suggested that topographic, soil, and climatic factors positively impact on GEP through their important effects on vegetation structure, distribution, and succession. Additionally, reforestation policies promote the conversion of farmland and grassland to forestland in the TG reservoir region, which was the main contributor to enhancing GEP. Conversely, socioeconomic factors negatively impact GEP, of which effects were mainly manifested by changes in the proportion of ecological land. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a suitable land use proportion in this region to optimize GEP, and we proposed a landscape restoration program to enhance four ecosystem productions. This article provides a reference for land resource allocation for environmental protection and sustainable development in ecologically fragile areas.

Meta-Analysis and Ranking of the Most Effective Methane Reduction Strategies for Australia’s Beef and Dairy Sector

Although Australia remains committed to the Paris Agreement and to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, it was late in joining the 2021 Global Methane Pledge. Finding suitable methane (CH4) mitigation solutions for Australia’s livestock industry should be part of this journey. Based on a 2020–2023 systematic literature review and multicriteria decision approach, this study analyses the available strategies for the Australian beef and dairy sector under three scenarios: baseline, where all assessment criteria are equally weighted; climate emergency, with a significant emphasis on CH4 reduction for cattle in pasture and feedlot systems; and conservative, where priority is given to reducing costs. In total, 46 strategies from 27 academic publications were identified and classified as ‘Avoid’, ‘Shift’, or ‘Improve’ with respect to their impact on current CH4 emissions. The findings indicate that ‘Avoid’ strategies of conversion of agricultural land to wetlands, salt marshes, and tidal forest are most efficient in the climate emergency scenario, while the ‘Improve’ strategy of including CH4 production in the cattle breeding goals is the best for the conservative and baseline scenarios. A policy mix that encourages a wide range of strategies is required to ensure CH4 emission reductions and make Australia’s livestock industry more sustainable.

Enhancing Agricultural Protection Areas Under Spatial Restrictions: A Case Study Of Majalengka Regency, Indonesia

The escalating trend of urbanization in Indonesia, accompanied by the conversion of agricultural land into urbanized areas, necessitates the implementation of zoning regulations. These regulations are crucial to protect agricultural land and safeguard the finite land assets of the country. To ensure the preservation of scarce land resources and guarantee food security, it is paramount for the Indonesian government to establish agricultural land protection areas. This paper presents an innovative approach and integrated methods to define agricultural land protection zones in spatial form. Results of studies landscape structure classification; core farmland accounts for 33.59% of the study region, whereas edge farmland accounts for 36.43%. Furthermore, the corridor farmland area is 0.30%, the discrete farming area is 12.26%, the Edge-Patch area is 3.54%, and the Perforated area is 13.89%. Geographically, the primary agricultural land is stretched out as a continuous area located on the outskirts of Majalengka city. By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, landscape structure, prime farmland identification, and agricultural «land interest» could have a conservationist bent. It can mean protecting specific areas for environmental reasons (reach calculated), the study aims to create optimal farmland protection areas. The techniques outlined here can aid in determining PFPA from a geographical science standpoint, and the research’s findings will be helpful for PFPA planning.

Land Use Modeling Scenarios using Spatial Dynamic Model in Badung Regency

Management of land use is necessary to maintain the balance between human needs and environmental aspects. Known as the highest-income region in Indonesia, Badung Regency has substantial demand for land utilization for tourism activities. The conversion of productive agricultural land to tourism areas would threaten the sustainability of natural ecosystems in Badung. This study aims to predict the future land use in Badung Regency in 2033 through two development scenarios, Bussiness As Usual (BAU) and Rapid Economic Growth (REG). The simulation was carried out using spatial dynamic models of cellular automata. Several satellite imageries, municipal data, field surveys, and influencing factors of land transition have been utilized as input for the model. The result indicates that the residential area dominated the development in the BAU scenario with the direction of residential development spreading to the south, and new tourism development portrayed in the north close to the agricultural area. While in the REG scenario, tourism land use had significant growth that does not only approach agricultural land but also protected forest areas in the north. The model accuracy showed moderate agreement according to the Kappa index both in BAU and REG scenarios. The finding of this study could support the decision maker to create a better policy considering the potential impact of land use growth direction.

Monitoring Agricultural Land Loss by Analyzing Changes in Land Use and Land Cover

The agricultural sector's output holds paramount significance for the global population, serving as an indispensable resource for survival and consumption. Consequently, alterations in agricultural landscapes bear substantial implications for the world's food supply. The objectives of this research are to investigate the depletion of agricultural land, with a specific focus on Samut Songkhram Province—an agriculturally prominent region in Thailand renowned for supplying seafood and fruits to Bangkok. By employing advanced remote sensing and change detection methods and incorporating indices like NDVI, NDWI, and NDBI, the study meticulously analyzed land-use changes. The outcomes were rigorously scrutinized through supervised classification, validated by on-site inspections, and corroborated with data from pertinent agencies. Findings revealed that Samut Songkhram had sustained its prominence in agricultural land, constituting around 70% of the province's total area over the past two decades. However, this expanse has undergone persistent transformation during the last 20 years. Notably, the most substantial surge was observed in the conversion of agricultural land to urban and developed areas, particularly in the urban zones of Amphawa District, followed by Mueang Samut Songkhram and Bang Khonthi districts. This investigation illuminates a consistent downward trend in agricultural land, a vital source of sustenance for Thailand's population and the global community. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-02-020 Full Text: PDF

Perspective and Commentary: Effects of conversion of farmland to an integrated beef cattle grazing operation and water use in the Southern Plains and Ogallala Aquifer of the USA

Perspective and Commentary: Effects of conversion of farmland to an integrated beef cattle grazing operation and water use in the Southern Plains and Ogallala Aquifer of the USA

Dynamics of Population and Land Use towards Sustainable Development in Patna Planning Area

Abstract: This study examines the impact of population growth on the land use pattern of Patna Planning Area, in the context of urban geography. Patna, the capital city of Bihar state in India, has experienced significant population growth over the past few decades, leading to changes in its land use pattern. The objectives of this research include analyzing the historical population growth trends in Patna, identifying the key factors that have contributed to this growth, and assessing its impact on land use. The study takes into account various factors such as residential, industrial, commercial, and agricultural land use, as well as the infrastructural developments associated with population growth. To achieve these objectives, both primary and secondary data sources are utilized. Primary data is collected through surveys, interviews, and observations, while secondary data is obtained from existing literature, government reports, and demographic databases. The findings of this study reveal that the population growth in Patna has led to a changing land use pattern. The expansion of residential areas and the conversion of agricultural land into residential and commercial zones are noted as significant transformations. Additionally, industrial growth has resulted in the emergence of new industrial zones and the conversion of agricultural land into industrial areas in the suburbs. Furthermore, it is observed that population growth has put pressure on infrastructure such as transportation, sewage and water supply systems, leading to the need for their expansion and development. This study highlights the need for urban planning and policies to accommodate the growing population while ensuring sustainable land use.

From Crops to Kilowatts: An Empirical Study on Farmland Conversion to Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Kushida River Basin, Japan

In Japan, rural areas are grappling with population decline and aging, leading to a shortage of labor for farmland maintenance. This has resulted in the abandonment of farmland or its conversion for solar photovoltaic (PV) use. However, this unplanned conversion raises concerns about agricultural productivity decline, landscape degradation, biodiversity loss, water resource maintenance, and disaster prevention. This study focuses on the Kushida watershed, examining (1) accurate farmland classification using remote sensing data, (2) the geographical distribution of farmland converted to PV systems from 2016 to 2021 and concentrated along the river, especially on north-facing slopes, (3) the highest conversion rates in wheat fields, followed by legume fields, tea fields, and paddy fields, and (4) no clear correlation between farmland conversions and changes in the number of farmers, but associations with farmland geography and solar radiation levels. These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of sustainable rural development in Japan, emphasizing the importance of considering geographical factors in the conversion of farmland to PV.

Islamic Law in the Rule of Sadd Adz-Dzari'ah on the Transfer of Agricultural Land Function to Housing in Grobogan

This research provides an in-depth exploration of Islamic legal aspects related to the conversion of agricultural land into residential areas, with a focus on the principle of Sadd Adz-Dzari'ah. This principle serves as the primary foundation for the research, playing a crucial role in regulating the land transformation process and establishing legal boundaries that must be adhered to. Through a case study conducted in the Grobogan Regency, this research aims to evaluate the application of the Sadd Adz-Dzari’ah principle in the context of agricultural land conversion. The research methodology employs a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews and document analysis. The collected data is analyzed using content analysis techniques to identify patterns and key themes related to the implementation of the Sadd Adz-Dzari’ah principle in land conversion. The main objectives of this study include gaining a profound understanding of the principle, evaluating its implementation in the conversion of agricultural land to residential areas in Grobogan Regency, analyzing the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the land-use changes, and presenting policy recommendations to enhance justice and sustainability, considering Islamic values. The research found that Islam with its sadd adz-dzariyat concept does not prohibit the conversion of agricultural land into housing as long as it provides maslahat for the community and is carried out based on existing statutory provisions and instead encourages the utilization of agricultural land for various purposes so that the land is not neglected and eventually dies without being utilized. Thus, this research is expected to significantly contribute to understanding the relevance and implementation of the Sadd Adz-Dzari’ah principle in the context of changing land use in rural communities. It also aims to provide a foundation for better policies aligned with Islamic values.

Impact of Rice Field Conversion on the Availability of Rice in Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province

The availability of agricultural land plays a critical role in addressing the food needs of the population. Population growth has led to the conversion of agricultural land, posing a significant threat to regional food security. Banyumas Regency, strategically located at the intersection of economic growth centers, has experienced substantial land conversion. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing the conversion of rice fields and its impact on rice availability in Banyumas Regency. The data utilized in this research comprises secondary data spanning the period from 2012 to 2021. The analytical methods employed include assessing the rate of rice field conversion, evaluating food self-sufficiency levels, and conducting a multiple linear regression analysis to determine the combined influence of population and built-up area on rice field conversion. The results of the analysis reveal that when population and built-up land area are considered together, they account for 28% of land conversion. The conversion of agricultural land into non-rice fields results in a reduction of rice fields, negatively affecting rice availability and the food security of the population.

Agricultural land use in Vietnam in the context of urbanization: status and policy implications

Abstract This article generalizes the urbanization process and its impact on agricultural land use in Vietnam. The high rate of urbanization has led to a great demand for purchasing agricultural products, especially high-quality ones, and as a result, this affects agricultural development. On one hand, it offers new chances to expand the domestic market and to encourage exports. On the other hand, the conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural land under accelerated urbanization leads to a large area of arable land being abandoned or polluted, consequently affecting food security and sustainable development. Therefore, to meet the people’s food needs in the context of urbanization, it is necessary to have proper solutions to improve the efficiency of agricultural land use, such as: implementing land laws aimed at developing agricultural production in the direction of large-scale, concentrated commodities; executing land-use planning, performing agricultural production planning towards specialized cultivation with a stable term to ensure profitable investment; boosting the restructuring of the agricultural sector; developing collective and cooperative economics in agriculture; having policies to support, forecast, and search for markets for consumption and the processing of agricultural products; creating a transparent land-use rights market.

Assessing regional food security: A spatial analysis of food carrying capacity in Baki Subdistrict, Sukoharjo Regency – Indonesia

In Indonesia, addressing food security is challenged by a rapidly growing population, leading to increased consumption and diminished agricultural land availability due to ongoing land conversion. This study focuses on assessing the food carrying capacity in the Baki Sub-District as a critical component of regional food security. From a geographical perspective, the research employs spatial analysis to evaluate the food carrying capacity in the Baki Sub-District. Data collection involved the utilization of mathematical formulas, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the food carrying capacity. Spatial analysis was facilitated through a Geographic Information System (GIS). The findings reveal that a significant portion of the Baki Sub-District maintains a high food carrying capacity, particularly in the southern regions. However, areas proximate to Surakarta City, impacted by regional development, experience a reduction in food carrying capacity due to the conversion of agricultural land to residential use. This study contributes valuable insights into the spatial dynamics of food carrying capacity in the Baki Sub-District, providing essential information for regional food security planning.

The Paradox of Farmers in Response Agricultural Land Conversion to National Strategic Development Policies in Central Java

The pros and cons of developing infrastructure, including transportation infrastructure, in a country known as an agricultural country will certainly involve and possibly sacrifice several parties. The development causes a dilemma for the affected parties. Klaten Regency is one of the areas in Central Java where the Yogyakarta-Solo toll road would be built. This article investigates some farmers affected by toll road construction in Klaten Regency to present the dilemma they felt using an approach to the level of achievement of farmers’ feelings towards this policy. The results of the research show the following achievement levels: (1) farmers felt sad about the land conversion due to the toll road construction project policy, (2) farmers were happy about the land acquisition compensation appraisal, and (3) farmers were sad about the decision to sell the land.

Kajian Alih Fungsi Lahan Pertanian Menjadi Sektor Pariwisata di Nagari Tarantang Kecamatan Harau Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota

This research aims to determine changes in the conversion of agricultural land into the tourism sector in Nagari Tarantang, Harau District, Limapuluh Kota Regency. This type of research is quantitative descriptive. The subjects in this research were agricultural land owners who converted to tourism in Nagari Tarantang, Harau District, Limapuluh Kota Regency. Data collection techniques in this research were observation, questionnaires and documentation. The sampling technique used a total sampling of 10 agricultural land owners who had converted to tourism in Nagari Tarantang, Harau District, Limapuluh Kota Regency. The results of this research conclude: 1) Agricultural land that was converted into tourism land covering an area of 16.7 Ha, the change in land was caused by several factors, namely economic, cultural, political, environmental and new job opportunities.

Young generations perceptions of the farmers profession after the conversion of agricultural land into coal mining in Gunung Raja Village, Empat Petulai Dangku District, Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia

The present study aims to investigate two key areas of research: (1) the perception of farming among younger generations following the conversion of agricultural land to coal mining land, and (2) the factors that influence this perception. This research was conducted in Gunung Raja Village, Empat Petulai Dangku District, Muara Enim Regency, using a survey method. Sampling was carried out using a simple random sampling technique from the younger generation aged 16 to 30 years, with as many as 560 children of farmers and 402 children of non-farmers, resulting in a sample of 50 people consisting of 25 people each, children of farmers and non-children of farmers. Data were analyzed descriptively using the chi square test and contingency correlation test. The research results show that the younger generation's perception of the farming profession after the conversion of agricultural land to coal mining in Gunung Raja Village is in the medium category, with an index of 68.37%. The factors that influence the perception of the younger generation are internal factors, namely gender and education level, with a weak contingency correlation, and external factors, namely the area of land owned by families and non-agricultural employment opportunities, with a moderate contingency correlation. Based on these results, it can be seen that the presence of coal mining companies does not make the perception of the younger generation towards the farmer profession low.

Dynamic Simulation of Land Use and Habitat Quality Assessment in Baiyangdian Basin Using the SD-PLUS Coupled Model

The physical foundation and environmental assurance provided by the regional habitat are crucial for the survival and sustainable development of organisms. Land use change, as a significant manifestation of human activity, is a crucial factor in habitat quality. An SD-PLUS coupled model was developed to simulate land use change in the Baiyangdian(BYD) Basin using data on land use, socio-economic factors, and the climatic environment from 2000 to 2020. The InVEST model was employed to assess the habitat quality of the basin from 2000 to 2050. The findings indicated the following: Between 2020 and 2050, the predominant land use changes across the three scenarios involve the conversion of farmland to construction land and grassland to woodland. The magnitude of these changes steadily declines over time. The magnitude of change in land use for all kinds was greater under SSP5 compared to SSP1 and SSP2. The movement of habitat quality grades primarily occurred from higher grades to lower grades. In 2050, the habitat quality is projected to improve compared to 2020 under three different scenarios. The highest improvement is expected in SSP5 with a 0.60% increase, followed by SSP2 with a 0.42% increase and SSP1 with the smallest increase of 0.23%.