Conversion Of Cultivated Land Research Articles

Study on the effects of land use transformation on habitat quality and its driving mechanisms: a case study of the Qin-Mang River Basin

Habitat quality (HQ) is a critical factor for regional ecosystem health and sustainable development, as well as an important basis for formulating ecological protection and land-use planning. The Qin-Mang River Basin, as an integral part of the biodiversity conservation area in the Yellow River Basin, plays a significant role in maintaining the balance and stability of the regional ecosystem. This study is based on land use/land cover changes (LUCC) data from 1992, 2002, 2012, and 2022. It employs a land use transfer matrix to analyze the dynamic trends and patterns of LUCC. HQ changes are evaluated using the InVEST model, and the GeoDetector model is used to identify the key driving factors and their interactions. Additionally, spatial autocorrelation analysis is applied to explore the spatial clustering characteristics of HQ. The results indicate that between 1992 and 2022, the cumulative area of land transfer in the study area exceeded 600 km2, primarily characterized by the conversion of cultivated land to built-up areas. The HQ index decreased from 0.3409 in 1992 to 0.2896 in 2022, with a significant increase in spatial heterogeneity. Altitude, vegetation coverage, temperature, precipitation, and slope are the main driving factors influencing HQ, with natural factors dominating, but human activities gradually playing an increasingly significant role. Furthermore, HQ exhibits significant spatial clustering characteristics, with hotspot and coldspot areas providing scientific evidence for ecological protection and restoration measures. To improve HQ, it is recommended to strictly enforce ecological protection red lines, control the expansion of built-up areas, improve ecological compensation mechanisms, and promote ecological restoration measures such as returning farmland to forest and grassland.

Spatio-temporal Evolution of Land Use in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Economic Area, 1985-2022 and Analysis of Influencing Factors

This research employs GIS and remote sensing technology, along with time-series Land cover data, to examine the evolving patterns of various land use categories (such as forest land, cultivated land, and impervious surfaces) within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The results indicate that the predominant spatial configuration of land use in this region follows a sequence of "forest land-cultivated land-impervious land." Notably, the key transformation observed involves the conversion of cultivated land to impervious surfaces, resulting in a cumulative expansion of impervious areas by 3,346,985 hectares between 1985 and 2022. Moreover, the level of spatial integration among land use types in the Greater Bay Area is progressively standardizing, with notable advancements in scientific, technological, economic, and transportation sectors leading to a high degree of synergy. The system as a whole demonstrates effective coordination and operational efficiency. The methodology section outlines the data sources and analytical techniques employed, encompassing the utilization of the land use transfer matrix, individual land use degree assessment, and spatial coupling function model. Through these methodologies, the study identifies urban economic development as the primary driver behind the proliferation of impervious surfaces, offering valuable insights to inform regional development strategies and environmental governance policies.

Multi-Scenario Simulation of Land-Use/Land-Cover Changes and Carbon Storage Prediction Coupled with the SD-PLUS-InVEST Model: A Case Study of the Tuojiang River Basin, China

Land-use and land-cover changes (LUCCs) significantly impact carbon sequestration by modifying the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems. This study utilized GIS and remote sensing techniques to forecast future LUCC patterns and their influence on regional carbon budgets, which is essential for sustainable development. We devised a coupled system dynamics (SD) model integrated with a patch-generating land-use simulation (PLUS) model to simulate LUCCs under diverse future scenarios using multisource environmental data. Additionally, the InVEST model was employed to quantify carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems. By establishing three scenarios—ecological priority (EP), highly urbanized (HU), and coordinated development (CD)—this study’s aim was to predict the LUCC patterns and carbon storage distribution of the Tuojiang River Basin (TRB), China, up to 2035. The results showed that (1) from 2000 to 2020, significant LUCCs occurred in the TRB, primarily involving the conversion of cultivated land into construction areas and forestland; (2) LUCCs had a substantial impact on carbon storage in the TRB, with the EP scenario demonstrating the highest carbon storage by 2035 due to extensive forest expansion, while the HU scenario indicated a decline in carbon storage associated with rapid urbanization; and (3) the mountainous regions of the TRB, dominated by forestland, consistently exhibited higher carbon storage, whereas the Chengdu Plain region in the upper basin displayed the lowest. In conclusion, we recommend prioritizing the CD scenario in future development strategies to balance economic growth with ecological protection while simultaneously enhancing carbon storage. Our findings offer valuable insights to shape future LUCC policies in the Tuojiang River Basin, underscoring the adaptability of the coupled model approach to a wide range of geographic scales and contexts.

Spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of cultivated land conversion in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, northern China

Spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of cultivated land conversion in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, northern China

Study on the Dynamic Change of Land Use in Megacities and Its Impact on Ecosystem Services and Modeling Prediction

Under the background of rapid urbanization, strengthening the research on the response and dynamic mechanism of ecosystem services to land use is conducive to the optimization of land space and ecological restoration and governance in megacities. Using Hefei City as a case study, we examined specific ecosystem services and analyzed how water yield, habitat quality, carbon storage, and soil conservation changed over time from 2000 to 2020. We utilized spatial information technthe value of ecosystem services per unit

The ecological utility study on carbon metabolism of cultivated land: A case study of Hubei Province, China

Exploring the ecological utility of cultivated land's carbon metabolism offers policy insights for ensuring its healthy operation and promote the dual carbon goals (carbon peak and carbon neutrality). We employed ecological network analysis (ENA) and kernel density estimation to conduct an empirical study, taking Hubei Province from 2000 to 2020 as an example. The results revealed apparent negative effects of carbon metabolic flow on regional carbon balance. Specifically, cultivated land conversion into transportation and industrial land contributed significantly to the harmful carbon flow. Ecological relationships showed fierce competition for carbon storage, leading to overall adverse ecological effects. The ecological utility indicated detrimental impacts on the orderly functioning of land-use carbon metabolism. Cultivated land's carbon metabolism will be essential in achieving land-use carbon neutrality. Therefore, territorial spatial low-carbon optimization should be implemented to realize its green and sustainable development.

Will industrial structure changes promote or reduce non-grain production? Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Non-Grain Production (NGP) on cropland emerges from complex interactions of human activities and environmental changes, posing an important threat to China's national food security. Exploring the driving forces of NGP and impact patterns is crucial to improve existing cropland protection policies. This study analyzes the relationship between the change of industrial structure and NGP in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB)from 2000 to 2019 by using a spatial econometric model and a threshold effect model. Through the exploration of spatiotemporal evolution, the complex relationship between the change of industrial structure and the non-grain conversion of cultivated land is revealed. The results show that the change of industrial structure in the YREB affects the transformation of cultivated land use to a certain extent, and there is an obvious spatial spillover effect. At the same time, through the application of the threshold effect model, the threshold points affecting the relationship between industrial structure change and NGP conversion are found, which guides the formulation of relevant policies. Based on the research results, policy recommendations with regional differences are put forward to promote the coordinated development of land use protection and food security. Our study has important theoretical and practical significance for in-depth understanding of sustainable development and food security in the YREB and similar regions.

Simulation and multi-scenario prediction of land-use change in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin, China

Introduction: The Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin is an important water resource conservation and replenishment area for the entire Yellow River Basin. With urbanization and socio-economic development, it is urgent to study the characteristics of land-use change and its future simulation in order to realize the coordinated ecological and economic development.Methods: Based on the patch-generating land-use simulation (PLUS) model, this paper investigated the main drivers of land-use type expansion with a comprehensive consideration of natural and socio-economic aspects; moreover, the study simulated land-use change in 2030 under the four scenarios of natural development, cultivated land protection, ecological priority, and economic construction.Results: The results showed the following: 1) the prediction of land-use types continued the historical evolution since 1980. Grassland, cultivated land, and forest land were still the dominant land types, accounting for more than 87% of the basin’s total area. Water bodies and wetlands remained relatively stable, and there was an obvious increase of approximately 20% in construction land. 2) Construction land and grassland were primarily driven by the social factor of the distance from the primary road and the distance from the secondary road, respectively. The cultivated land was greatly affected by the economic factor of population density. 3) The cultivated land protection scenario was the only one of the four scenarios that could make the cultivated land area increase positively, with an increase rate of 0.5%. This scenario also restricted effectively the conversion of cultivated land into construction land. The ecological priority scenario can expand grassland obviously with a proportion of 1.82% and slow down oasis desertion. The economic construction scenario can increase the construction land area the most by a rate of 25.5% to accelerate the economic development of specific regions in the study area.Discussion: Therefore, implementing policies on the basis of choosing suitable scenarios in different areas was significant for optimizing the land-use structure, promoting the efficient use of land resources and ecological environment in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin.

Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Ecological Parameters in Various Land Use Types in China during the First 20 Years of the 21st Century

Ecological quality in China has experienced significant improvements due to the interplay of climate change and human activities. Nevertheless, previous studies exploring the trend of ecological parameters have always overlooked the effects of land use types. Therefore, in this study, we explored the spatiotemporal variation in ecological parameters in various land use types and discussed the relationship between ecological parameters and climatic factors in China during the first 20 years of the 21st century. The results show that: (1) The area of grassland and unutilized land decreased, and the area of other land use types increased. (2) Distinct variations in the average, slope, and interval distribution of ecological parameters across various land use types were evident. Particularly significant increases in ecological parameters were observed in cultivated land and forest. (3) The influence of land use and land cover change on ecological parameters was evident. The conversion of cultivated land, forest, and grassland into water bodies, constructive land, and unutilized land resulted in a significant decrease in ecological parameters. (4) The distinct climatic conditions resulted in heightened monthly variations in the ecological parameters. Significant monthly fluctuations in ecological parameters were observed for cultivated land, forest, grassland, and constructed land, while water bodies and unutilized land did not exhibit such variations. (5) The correlation between ecological parameters and climatic factors varied considerably in various land use types in different regions.

Land-Use Transitions and Its Driving Mechanism Analysis in Putian City, China, during 2000–2020

Investigating the spatial-temporal evolution of land use and its driving forces provides a scientific basis for policy formulation, land-use structure adjustment, and ecological civilization development. Using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, this study analyzed remote sensing images from 2000, 2010, and 2020 to derive basic land-use data for Putian City and its five districts and counties. These data were then systematically analyzed using methodologies such as Single Land-use Dynamics and Geo-informatic Tupu to reveal the characteristics of land-use transitions (LUTs), and the spatial-temporal evolution pattern over the past two decades in Putian City, China. Subsequently, socioeconomic conditions and macro policies were identified as driving factors to further explore the mechanisms behind land-use evolution in the study area through canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The findings revealed that: (1) The predominant land-use structure in Putian City consisted mainly of cultivated land and forest land, with other land types interspersed within them, while built-up land exhibited continual outward expansion. (2) Various regions within Putian City exhibited varying degrees of abandoned farmland, ultimately transforming into wasteland (grassland) with weed growth, presenting significant challenges for ensuring food security and mitigating the conversion of cultivated land to non-agricultural and non-grain uses. (3) Specific macro-economic development objectives during distinct periods, particularly urban expansion and the growth of the secondary industry resulting from municipal and county mergers, emerged as pivotal factors driving the spatial and temporal evolution of land use and influenced the differential distribution pattern across Putian City. Consequently, this study suggests bolstering scientific planning and implementing effective regulations concerning land use, and it advocates for the efficient utilization of space-time resources pertaining to cultivated land, integrating them with agriculture, culture, and tourism endeavors. Such measures are proposed to ensure the harmonized and sustainable development of the regional ecological economy.

Cost, market, and policy constraints on mitigating climate change through afforestation in China

Afforestation is a promising nature-based climate solution for mitigating climate change, but it is subject to a complex web of biophysical, cost-benefit, market, and policy processes. Although its biophysical feasibility has been established, the cost, market, and policy constraints that affect climate change mitigation through afforestation are still unclear. Here, we estimate such cost, market, and policy constraints on the basis of biophysical feasibility. Our findings reveal that implementation costs are a more relevant constraint than opportunity costs on mitigating climate change through afforestation. The China Certified Emission Reduction market currently provides only a 0.308 % incentive for climate change mitigation through afforestation, due to market access constraints. The current market prices of China Certified Emission Reduction, China Carbon Emissions Trading Exchange, and Nature Based Carbon Offset in Voluntary Carbon Market constrain 88.15 %, 87.95 %, and 85.75 % of CO2 removal actions through afforestation, compared to the carbon price scenario (US$62.97 tCO2-1) of the EU Emissions Trading System. Moreover, land policy under the scenarios of prohibiting conversion of cultivated land to forest and forest restoration in degraded areas exhibit 8.87–29.59 % and 65.16–74.10 % constraints, respectively, on mitigating climate change through afforestation compared to land-use freedom conversion scenarios from 2020 to 2060. Thus, enhancing the incentive price of CO2 removal, addressing the market access barrier, strengthening cooperation between global carbon markets, and exploring carbon–neutral and food multi-oriented land policies can be valuable sources of mitigation efforts over the next 40 years.

Multi-Scenario Simulation and Eco-Environmental Effects Analysis of Land Use/Cover Change in China by an Integrated Cellular Automata and Markov Model

Land use transitions play a critical role in ecological environmental restoration, but they are also plagued by ecological environmental problems caused by excessive land resource development. In this study, we propose a methodological framework for unveiling the nexus profile of land use/cover change (LUCC) and eco-environmental effects. This study explored the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of LUCC over a long time series based on high-precision land use data from 1990 to 2020. Then, the ecological values (EVs) of various cities were calculated to obtain the ecological contribution rate of different land use types in the process of change. Finally, the future development trends of land use and ecological environmental quality were predicted under multiple scenarios using the cellular automata–Markov model, and scientific policy recommendations were proposed. The results showed that the expansion trajectory of the construction land in the urban agglomeration mainly expanded inwards along the mouth of the Pearl River, and the conversion of cultivated land to construction land was the most significant type of land use change. The overall ecological environmental quality of the study area showed a downwards trend, with Shenzhen exhibiting the largest decrease in EVs. Cultivated land contributed significantly to improving regional ecological environmental quality, while the land use transition types with relatively large contributions to environmental quality deterioration were conversions to construction land. Under the scenario of coordinated protection, the degree of cultivated land area reduction was significantly reduced, and the area of forestland showed a positive growth trend, with the expansion trend of construction land being reversed. These research findings can enrich the theoretical research on the sustainable development of urban agglomerations and provide reliable data support for policy-making.

Spatial–Temporal Pattern Analysis and Development Forecasting of Carbon Stock Based on Land Use Change Simulation: A Case Study of the Xiamen–Zhangzhou–Quanzhou Urban Agglomeration, China

The spatial–temporal distribution and evolution characteristics of carbon stock under the influence of land use changes are crucial to the scientific management of environmental resources and the optimization of land spatial layout. Taking the Xiamen–Zhangzhou–Quanzhou urban agglomeration in the southeastern coastal region of China as an example, based on seven land use types from 1990 to 2020, including cultivated land, woodland, and construction land, we quantitatively investigate the spatial–temporal patterns of carbon stock development and the spatial correlation of carbon stock distribution. Additionally, two scenarios for the development of urban and ecological priorities in 2060 are established to investigate the effects of land use changes on carbon stock. The results indicate that (1) the research area has formed a land use spatial pattern centered around urban construction in the eastern bay area, with the western forest area and coastal forest belt serving as ecological barriers. Carbon stock is influenced by land use type, and the distribution of total carbon stock exhibits a spatial aggregation phenomenon characterized by “low in the southeast, high in the north, and medium in the center”. (2) Distance of trunk and secondary roads, elevation, slope, watershed borders, population size, and gross domestic product (GDP) factors are the main drivers of the growth of land use types. The primary causes of the reduction in carbon stock are the widespread conversion of cultivated land, woodland, and grassland into construction land, as well as water and unused land. (3) In 2060, there will be a decrease of 41,712,443.35 Mg in the urban priority development scenario compared to 2020, and a decrease of 29,577,580.48 Mg in the ecological priority development scenario. The estimated carbon stock under the two scenarios varies by 12,134,862.88 Mg. The average carbon storage of Zhangpu County, Quangang County, and Jimei County is expected to rise by one level under the ecological protection scenario, indicating that the vast forest area can become a potential area to maintain carbon stock. It is crucial to encourage the coordinated development of peri-urban agroforestry and ecological barriers, as well as to establish a harmonious spatial pattern of land use and carbon stock at the scale of urban agglomerations.

Analysis and Simulation of Land Use Changes and Their Impact on Carbon Stocks in the Haihe River Basin by Combining LSTM with the InVEST Model

The quantitative analysis and prediction of spatiotemporal patterns of land use in Haihe River Basin are of great significance for land use and ecological planning management. To reveal the changes in land use and carbon stock, the spatial–temporal pattern of land use data in the Haihe River Basin from 2000 to 2020 was studied via Mann–Kendall (MK) trend analysis, the transfer matrix, and land use dynamic attitude. Through integrating the models of the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) and the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), the results of the spatial distribution of land use and carbon stock were obtained and compared with Cellular Automation (CA-Markov), and then applied to predict the spatial distribution in 2025. The results show the following: (1) The land use and land cover (LULC) changes in the Haihe River Basin primarily involve an exchange between cultivated land, forest, and grassland, as well as the conversion of cultivated land to built-up land. This transformation contributes to the overall decrease in carbon storage in the basin, which declined by approximately 1.20% from 2000 to 2020. (2) The LULC prediction accuracy of LSTM is nearly 2.00% higher than that of CA-Markov, reaching 95.01%. (3) In 2025, the area of grassland in Haihe River Basin will increase the most, while the area of cultivated land will decrease the most. The spatial distribution of carbon stocks is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, and the changing areas are scattered throughout the study area. However, due to the substantial growth of grassland and forest, the carbon stocks in the Haihe River Basin in 2025 will increase by about 10 times compared with 2020. The research results can provide a theoretical basis and reference for watershed land use planning, ecological restoration, and management.

Evolution of ecosystem services under the impact of urbanization using the InVEST model in the xiongan new area, China

Abstract Understanding the impact of land use on ecosystem service functions is crucial for guiding land management and ecological environment protection in Xiongan New Area (XANA), China. This paper employs the InVEST model to assess the temporal and spatial characteristics of water yield, carbon storage, water purification, and soil conservation ecosystem services in XANA from 1980 to 2020, analyzing geographical and spatial variations in ecosystem service capabilities. Through correlation analysis and the grid Moran’s I index, we explored the mechanisms of ecosystem action and the trade-offs and synergies among these services. Our results revealed that urban land use in XANA increased throughout the 1980–2020 period, with the fastest growth occurring from 2010 to 2020, primarily due to cultivated land conversion. Prior to 2010, cultivated land expanded rapidly, consuming significant amounts of water resources. Changes in land use structure drove increases in water yield and nitrogen output in the XANA ecosystem while decreasing carbon storage and soil erosion. Urban land area change was the primary factor influencing water yield and nitrogen output, while reduced water area was the main driver behind decreased carbon storage in the region. Cultivated land was identified as the primary contributor to soil erosion. The synergy between carbon storage and water conservation is closely tied to water area and urban land, while the synergies between carbon storage and water quality purification, soil conservation and water quality purification hinge on water areas and cultivated land areas. To ensure the sustainable development of XANA, it is essential to protect the wetland ecosystem in the Baiyangdian Lake basin, enhance forest and grassland coverage, and monitor temporal and spatial changes in different ecosystem services and their interrelationships closely.

Spatiotemporal Changes of Center Pivot Irrigation Farmland in the Mu Us Region and Its Impact on the Surrounding Vegetation Growth

Accurately understanding the distribution and changing trends of Center Pivot Irrigation (CPI) farmland in the Mu Us region and exploring the impact of CPI farmland construction on sandy land vegetation growth hold significant importance for local sustainable development. By using Landsat images to extract CPI farmland information and applying buffer zone analysis to explore the impact of CPI farmland construction on the surrounding vegetation growth, the results revealed the following key findings: (1) The number and area of CPI farmland units showed a continuous growth trend from 2008 to 2022. Spatially, Etoke Front Banner was the focal point of the CPI farmland unit construction, gradually expanding outward. In terms of scale, small-scale CPI farmland units (0–0.2 km2) dominated, while large-scale CPI farmland units (>0.4 km2) were primarily distributed in Yulin City (Mu Us). (2) The growth rate of CPI farmland units in Yulin City gradually slowed down, while that in Ordos City (Mu Us) continued to exhibit a high growth trend. Affected by water-resource pressure and policies, CPI farmland units in Ordos City may continue to increase in the future, while they may stop growing or even show a downward trend in Yulin City. (3) CPI farmland mainly came from the conversion of cultivated land, but over time, more and more grassland was reclaimed as CPI farmland. The absence of cover planting after crop harvesting and the lack of shelterbelt construction may exacerbate land desertification in the region. (4) Within the typical region, CPI farmland unit construction promoted vegetation growth within the CPI units and the 500 m buffer zone but had an inhibitory effect on vegetation growth within the 500–3000 m buffer zone and no significant effect on vegetation growth within the 3000–5000 m buffer zone. (5) The decrease in groundwater reserves caused by CPI farmland unit construction was the primary reason for inhibiting the vegetation growth within the 500–3000 m buffer zone of CPI farmland units in the Mu Us region. This study can provide a scientific basis for the sustainable development of CPI farmland in semi-arid areas.

Study on the Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Forest Coverage Rate (FCR): A Case Study on Yunnan Province Based on Remote Sensing Image Interpretation

The study of the forest coverage rate (FCR) is related to the ecological environment and sustainable development goals (SDGs) of a region. In light of the lack of an organic integration method of “spatiotemporal evolution, correlation analysis, and change prediction” and the lack of a methodology that integrates methods of “remote sensing (RS) and GIS, multi-phase LUCC, and construction of econometric models” in the research methods at present, this study focus on Yunnan, a typical border province located in China with a relatively fragile “innate” ecological environment, as the research area. Based on the interpretation of land use/land cover (LULC) data retrieved from seven periods RS images (1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020), the spatiotemporal evolution of FCR in 129 counties was analyzed. Complementary research methods, such as the spatial econometric model, geographically weighted regression (GWR), and the geographic detector (GD), are used to reveal the influencing factors of FCR. Finally, this study predicts the FCRs of 129 counties in Yunnan from 2025 to 2050. The FCR in Yunnan presents an increasing trend year by year, increasing from 28.96% in 1990 to 49.05% in 2020. In addition, it exhibits spatial agglomeration characteristics with fewer values in the east and more in the west. The analysis of influencing factors show that the increases in the per capita GDP, land utilization rate, and annual average temperature, and the implementation of the Conversion of Cultivated Land into Forest Project (CCFP) will significantly improve the FCR, while the increases in the population density land reclamation rate, the proportion of construction land area, and the proportion of soil erosion land area will significantly reduce the FCR. Furthermore, the FCR is influenced by multiple factors, and the relative factors observed not only show significant spatial differences, but also present complex and diverse patterns, with the additional characteristics of being interwoven and overlapping. This study contributes to expanding and improving the methods and pathways of exploring the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of FCR in ecologically fragile areas using RS methods, providing a reference for increasing FCR and improving the ecological environment’s quality in Yunnan Province and other ecologically fragile areas.

The impact of farming household differentiation on the non-grain conversion of cultivated land

The impact of farming household differentiation on the non-grain conversion of cultivated land

An explanation of conversion of cultivated land into forestland from the perspective of non-agricultural employment for rural labor force: A case study of Xintai City, Shandong Province

An explanation of conversion of cultivated land into forestland from the perspective of non-agricultural employment for rural labor force: A case study of Xintai City, Shandong Province

Study of spatiotemporal variation and driving factors of habitat quality in the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains: a case study of Xi’an, China

As earth surface human activities become more frequent, global ecosystem service functions and especially biodiversity maintenance functions are challenged. This study aimed to analyze spatiotemporal changes in Xi‘an section of the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains from 1990 to 2020. Temporal and spatial changes in habitat quality in the study area were visualized using InVEST model and land use data, and factors affecting habitat quality were analyzed using Geodetector. The results showed that during the study period, the cultivated land, grassland, and water decreased by 16.40%, 74.37%, and 35.39%, respectively, while the area of forest land and construction land increased, among which the construction land increased by 117.70%, the largest increase, and the forest land increased by 8.47%. The main changes in land use are the conversion of cultivated land into forest land and construction land, and the conversion of grassland into forest land and cultivated land. During the period 1990–2020, the average habitat quality index in the study area changed from 0.8617 to 0.8585, showing a slow decreasing trend. The spatial distribution of habitat quality showed a trend of “high in the south, moderate in the north, and low in the northwest”. The high habitat quality was mainly concentrated in the southern forest land, the middle habitat quality was mainly distributed in the northern cultivated land, and the low habitat quality was mainly distributed in the northwest construction land. The land use type has a great influence on habitat quality, and the interaction between any two factors is stronger than that of a single factor. The temporal and spatial variation of habitat quality is influenced by both natural and human factors. This study provides a theoretical basis for ecological protection and nature reserve planning in the Qinling Mountains region.