Sustainable Management Of Land Resources Research Articles

Hydrological response to land use/land cover changes in Ethiopian basins: a review

Hydrological response to land use/land cover changes in Ethiopian basins: a review

Spatial and temporal differentiation and coupling analysis of land use change and ecosystem service value in Jiangsu Province

A detailed exploration of the nexus between land use change (LUC) and ecosystem service value (ESV) at the urban level is crucial for fostering high-quality urban economic growth alongside the sustainable management of land resources. This study focuses on Jiangsu Province, employing an enhanced and refined ESV assessment model to perform a dynamic examination of the spatial and temporal variations in land use and ESV across the region from 2000 to 2020. Additionally, it delves into the intricate coupled coordination dynamics between land use intensity and ESV by developing a coupled coordination model. Key findings include: (1) Jiangsu Province experienced notable land use transformations over the two decades, with a marked reduction in cropland and a significant expansion of construction sites being the most prominent shifts. (2) The ESV in Jiangsu Province has exhibited fluctuating trends over the past 20 years, with water bodies and agricultural lands serving as the cornerstone for the province's ESV. Areas with high ESV are predominantly located around the Yangtze River's water bodies, along the coastline, and around lakes and radiate outward from these aquatic centers. (3) The coupling between LUC and ESV in Jiangsu Province has been upward, albeit with pronounced city disparities. This coupling displays distinct spatial patterns, characterized by higher levels in the east and lower levels in the west, as well as higher levels in the north and lower levels in the south. The outcomes of this analysis offer valuable insights and policy recommendations for enhancing land use planning, refining land use configurations, and promoting the synergistic development of land use and ecosystem service functions in Jiangsu Province.

Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture

As the population continues to increase, the demand for food has never been greater, placing immense pressure on the sustainable management of land and water resources [...]

A multi-criteria decision framework to evaluate sustainable alternatives for repurposing of abandoned or closed surface coal mines

Surface coal mines, when abandoned or closed, pose significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Repurposing these sites is crucial for sustainable land use and responsible resource management. This study presents a comprehensive decision framework tailored to the Indian mining context, utilizing a hybrid approach combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) methodology. The proposed framework assesses and ranks alternative repurposing options by considering a multi-criteria evaluation, including ecological, economic, social, and regulatory factors. AHP is employed to determine the relative importance of these criteria, reflecting the unique priorities and perspectives of stakeholders involved in the repurposing process. TOPSIS then identifies the optimal alternatives based on their overall performance against the established criteria. This hybrid methodology contributes to informed decision-making in the sustainable repurposing of abandoned surface coal mines in India. It aids in identifying the most viable and environmentally responsible alternatives, promoting efficient land use and resource conservation while addressing the challenges associated with abandoned mine sites. The methodology’s applicability extends globally to industries facing similar repurposing challenges, facilitating the transition toward a more sustainable and responsible land reclamation and resource management approach. The methodology is implemented using real mine data and demonstrates the analysis for evaluation among multiple alternatives such as solar parks, fish farming, eco-resorts, forestry, and museums. In our study, eco-resorts show more promise based on the significant potential for local economic development, provision of local employment, long-term revenue generation, potential for upskilling local youth in management, gardening, construction, and animal husbandry, and serving as a site for exhibitions of various arts and crafts.

OVERVIEW OF GIS-PLATFORMS TO DEVELOP GEOSPATIAL WEB APPLICATIONS BASED UPON THE ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONALITIES AND APPLICABILITY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LAND RESOURCES AND WATER BODIES AT THE FORMER STS

The article addresses the basic tools for creating geospatial Web applications focusing on three key software products: ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Experience Builder and ArcGIS Enterprise SDK. Functionalities have been analyzed and compared. This covers advantages and disadvantages of each platform in the context of developing a Web application for the sustainable management of land resources and water bodies at the former Semipalatinsk Test Site in areas planned to be released to the economic turnover. Findings provide a comprehensive insight into the choice of the best tool to efficiently work out geospatial Web applications given specific tasks and specificity of the test site area.

Identifying major phases in the use of land, energy and changing landscapes by agrarian societies (7,000 cal BP-Present) in Cantabrian Spain, based on cultural changes and anthropogenic signals

IntroductionEnacting transitions toward more sustainable management and use of land, energy, and natural resources poses multiple challenges for human societies. Such transitions have been a constant throughout human history and therefore there is a need to learn from them and apply that knowledge to current land-use policies and management. Significant human impact on landscape and environment in Cantabrian Spain has been documented in alignment with the Neolithization (ca. 7,000 cal BP). While the classic approach of identifying cultural phases based on historical and archaeological data has been extensively studied, much less is understood on how such phases are dependent upon increasing anthropogenic influence on the environment.MethodsCantabrian Spain is well-known for its long mining history. Key processes historically shaping landscapes in the region include the implementation of mining/metallurgy industries and extraction of forest resources. These historical processes were characterized, respectively using heavy metal pollution contents (Hg, Zn, Cd, As, Ni, REE, Pb, and 206 Pb/207 Pb) and total arboreal pollen percentages in peat bogs, providing global trends of human impact on the environment. These trends were then compared to climate (temperature and precipitation) and natural vegetation evolution modeling through time.ResultsResults show seven phases of major human impact on the environment: (1) the Copper phase ca. 4,400–4,100 cal BP, (2) the Middle Bronze phase ca. 3,500–3,150 cal BP, (3) the Iron phase ca. 2,800–2,500 cal BP, (4) the Roman phase ca. 2,200–1,750 cal BP, (5) the Medieval phase ca. 1,250–1,000 cal BP, (6) the Colonial phase ca. 650–400 cal BP, and (7) the Industrial phase ca. 150 cal BP-Present.DiscussionFour phases are tightly related to substantial changes in land use and subsistence strategies: (1) Production, with the appearance of productive economies during the Neolithic, (2) Specialization, with the appearance of specialized activities and trade during the Middle Bronze phase, (3) Urbanization, with the first urban centers during the Roman phase, and (4) Globalization, with worldwide colonialism and capitalism economies during the Colonial phase.

Study on Coupling and Coordination Relationship between Urbanization and Ecosystem Service Value in Jiangsu Province, China

Urbanization has a significant negative impact on both the structure and function of ecosystems, as it is a major part of the human-caused transformation of natural landscapes. Concurrently, the attenuation of ecosystem service values (ESVs) poses critical impediments to urbanization and imperils human well-being. Investigating the interactive coupling and coordination relationship between urbanization and ESV is paramount in informing urban development strategies and environmental preservation efforts. Using Jiangsu Province as a representative case, this study forges an urbanization assessment index framework, estimates ESV, and subsequently delves into the multifaceted nexus between urbanization and ESV. The findings disclose a gradual uptick in urbanization levels in Jiangsu Province, underscored by conspicuous regional disparities typified in the subregions of southern Jiangsu, central Jiangsu, and northern Jiangsu, mirroring the high congruence observed in the economic urbanization subsystem. However, this upward trajectory in urbanization coincides with an overarching descent in ESV, with the most pronounced declines manifesting in regions characterized by elevated urbanization levels, such as Nantong and Suzhou. A robust interrelationship between urbanization and ESV is discernible throughout Jiangsu Province. Nevertheless, certain cities exhibit perturbations and retrogression in the associations between urbanization subsystems and ESV. The coupling coordination between population urbanization and ESV is characterized by disharmony while the coordination of economic urbanization markedly lags. Additionally, several cities are witnessing a progressive deterioration in the coordination relationships between ESV subsystems (food production, soil conservation, gas regulation, and raw material production) and urbanization. In light of these findings, it is recommended that governmental authorities enact measures to harmonize urban development with environmental preservation, safeguard the integrity of ecosystem functions, and facilitate the sustainable management of land resources.

Study on multi-scenarios regulating strategy of land use conflict in urban agglomerations under the perspective of “three-zone space”: a case study of Harbin-Changchun urban agglomerations, China

Introduction: Against the background of rapid global urbanization, the urban space expansion has led to increasingly acute land-use conflicts. Accurately understanding the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of land-use conflict patterns and measuring the level of spatial conflicts are crucial for intensifying sustainable use and management of land resources. Existing research focuses on analyzing the current status of land-use conflicts, while there is limited discussion on tracking spatial-temporal dynamic patterns and simulating future conflict trends.Method: In this paper, the level of spatial conflict was measured by constructing a spatial comprehensive conflict index (SCCI) model, and the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of land use conflict in Harbin-Changchun urban agglomeration from 2000 to 2020 are discussed. In addition, the PLUS model is used to simulate and predict the pattern of land use conflict in 2030, finally put forward the control strategy.Results: Result shows that: (1) Over the past 20 years, urban space has expanded rapidly with two provincial capitals as growth poles. Land-use conflicts generally exhibit a distribution pattern of “high in the west and low in the east, high in the core and low in the periphery.” (2) During the past 20 years, conflicts have intensified initially and then eased. Severe uncontrolled conflicts are concentrated in the transition zone between urban and rural areas of urban agglomerations. (3) Agricultural space is the core resource and key area contested by different interest subjects in the process of land development and utilization.Discussion: The agricultural space priority scenario proves to be the most effective in controlling spatial conflicts. However, a single space priority scenario cannot adequately address multiple spatial rights and interests. Therefore, different spatial management modes should be implemented in different areas. The purpose of this paper is to provide scientific strategies and suggestions for controlling land-use conflicts in urban agglomerations and achieving sustainable development of regional land use.

Urban Development and Sustainable Land Resource Management: An Ecological Geological Perspective

This paper delves into the crucial role of ecogeology in urban development and land resource management. Ecogeology integrates principles of geology, ecology, and urban planning to achieve a balance between urban growth and the preservation of the natural environment. The article emphasizes the core principles, methods, and applications of ecogeology in urban planning to foster sustainable urban development. The section on challenges in urban development and sustainable land resource management highlights issues such as rapid global urbanization, land fragmentation, and ecosystem degradation. Urbanization trends place significant demands on land resources, but they also come with resource scarcity, environmental burdens, and social issues. Land fragmentation results in the fragmentation of natural landscapes, while ecosystem degradation threatens biodiversity and ecosystem services. These challenges require comprehensive approaches, and ecogeology provides a promising avenue. The paper further explores successful cases and best practices, including projects in Singapore, Kutzbachstadt (Germany), Shenzhen, and others. These cases demonstrate how ecogeology successfully enhances urban environmental quality and improves the quality of life for urban residents through measures such as wetland restoration, green infrastructure, nature conservation, and urban green spaces. The future outlook section emphasizes the importance of sustainable urban planning, climate change adaptation, and technological innovation. Cities will continue to expand, climate change will persist in affecting the environment, and technological innovation will drive modern urban management.

An evaluation framework of the current cadastral system in Ukraine – A case study

Motives: Land is the most vital resource that meets basic human needs. There are several mechanisms for achieving the goals of sustainable administration and management of land resources, and the cadastral system is the key mechanism. In most developing countries, the procedures for monitoring the performance of cadastral systems are inadequate or non-existent. Ukraine is not an exception in this respect, and this issue is largely disregarded in the domestic literature.Aim: The objective of the study was to establish an evaluation framework that relies on globally recognized best practices and their corresponding indicators. The main aim of the framework is to measure and assess the effectiveness of Ukraine’s cadastral system.Results: The evaluation methodology consisted of four stages: an analysis of evaluation indicators, identification of international best practices, identification of performance gaps in the cadastral system, and the development of a summary profile based on a SWOT analysis. The cadastral system was evaluated based on indicators within five domains: political, management, operational levels, external factors, and the review process.

Dynamic simulation of land use change and habitat quality assessment under climate change scenarios in Nanchang, China.

Investigating habitat quality under different climate scenarios holds significant importance for sustainable land resource management and ecological conservation. In this study, considering Nanchang as a case study, a coupled patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) and system dynamics (SD) model was employed in the simulation and prediction of land usage under shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) and representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios. To assess the habitat quality in Nanchang from 2000 to 2020 and in 2030 under three diverse climate scenarios, we used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model to analyze spatial and temporal changes. The findings indicate that the regions of forest land, cultivated land, and grassland in Nanchang City will dramatically decrease by 2030, the construction land will rapidly expand, and the fluctuations in the unutilized land and water area will be minimal. Additionally, the habitat quality declined from 2000 to 2020, and its spatial distributions changed. Zones having a high overall habitat quality were distributed in the mountains, hills, and lake areas, whereas those with relatively low quality were found in cultivated and urban areas. Under three climate scenarios, in 2030, the habitat quality index for Nanchang City will show a decreasing trend, mainly owing to areas with an index of 0.3-0.5 transitioning to <0.3. Considering each scenario, the degree of habitat degradation increased in the order SSP585>SSP245>SSP119. The findings of this study will inform high-quality development and biodiversity conservation in Nanchang City.

Land use spatial optimization for city clusters under changing climate and socioeconomic conditions: A perspective on the land-water-energy-carbon nexus

Unbalanced land use development has resulted in water scarcity, high energy consumption, and a significant increase in carbon emissions. Complex and changing environments make it more difficult to manage land use sustainably. This study constructed a variety of future change scenarios coupling climate and socioeconomic development and developed a multidimensional land use spatial optimization (LUSO) model linked with water-energy-carbon. The model is solved using a nondominated sorting genetic algorithm-III (NSGA-Ⅲ) coupled with the information feedback model (IFM). The advantages of this framework include: (1) LUSO based on the clarification of the interactions between different land use types and water-energy-carbon; (2) trade-offs between dimensions are considered to achieve coordinated multidimensional development of the economy, resources, environment, and spatial conversion; and (3) a spatial optimization pattern of land use in response to climate change and socioeconomic development changes can be obtained. The model framework is applied to the Mid-Yangtze River City Cluster for empirical analysis. The results show that socioeconomic development can lead to rapid changes in land use patterns, especially in cultivated and construction land. By 2030, the optimized land use pattern under the intermediate route model is the most suitable land use scenario for the region to achieve sustainable development. Under this scenario, the area of construction land increased by 22.09%, the area of cultivated land decreased by 2.2%, the economic output increased by 76,678.31 (1012 yuan), and the carbon emissions increased by only 5677.79 (107 kg), with an overall sustainability level of 0.85. This study can provide decision-makers with sustainable land resource management options that can respond to changing environments and achieve multidimensional synergistic development.

Spatiotemporal analysis of soil loss in cold climate upland farming watersheds using SWAT: case study of Tokoro River watershed, Hokkaido, Japan

ABSTRACT Severe soil erosion can cause both loss of ecosystem services and riverine environmental contaminations. Thus, understanding the spatiotemporal characteristics of soil loss at the watershed scale is critical for sustainable management of land and water resources. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the spatiotemporal variation in water runoff and soil loss in the Tokoro River watershed (TRW), Hokkaido, Japan. Assuming that agricultural land, which becomes bare depending on the season, is the main source of erosion and that large soil losses occur especially during the snowmelt/freeze-thaw period, we quantified and analyzed the mechanism of soil loss using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool 2012 (SWAT2012). Simulation results based on a publicly available dataset showed that croplands were the primary source of stream sediment load, contributing to 86% of the total soil loss. Furthermore, the soil loss rate was high (241.1–270.9 Mg km−2 yr−1) in sub-basins with a higher percentage of cropland, especially sloped croplands. These sub-basins had a higher risk of productivity loss due to intense erosion and river contamination by muddy runoff. Soil loss mainly occurred in early spring (March and April) and late summer (August – October), accounting for 36% and 45% of the annual soil loss, respectively. Vegetation removal by harvest exacerbated soil loss in October. In March, soil drainage was suppressed by frozen soil, resulting in high surface runoff and soil loss. Therefore, surface runoff when the soil was frozen was considered an important driver of soil loss. The estimation error of the stream sediment loads out of the 95% prediction uncertainty accounted for 26% of the total absolute error. This error could be attributed a lack of certainty in the observation data of high stream sediment loads and the model’s underestimation of water runoff during intense snowmelt and rainfall events.

Functional regionalization of land resources considering eco-efficiency in Nanjing Metropolitan Area, China

The rapid urbanization in the region has caused a shift in land-use structure and, as a result, the degrading of ecosystems. Elucidating the spatial–temporal evolution of ecosystem services (ESs) and ecological function zoning, it was beneficial to develop land use optimization strategy structures for different regions to support regional sustainable development. Taking the Nanjing Metropolitan Area (NMA), China, as a research area, we investigated the spatial–temporal evolution of land use and ESs in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 by using biophysical models, quantified the trade-offs/ synergies and constraint effects among ESs using Spearman coefficients and constraint lines, and subsequently realized ecological function zoning through the Self-Organizing Feature Map (SOM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models on this basis. The results indicated that: (1) constructed land was the greatest area expansion type (an increase of 2,864.46 km2), while cropland was the primary source of its increase (89.69% of the total transfer of constructed land); (2) Habitat Quality (HQ), Landscape Aesthetics (LA), Net Primary Production (NPP), Soil Retention (SR), Nitrogen Retention (NR), and Water Yield (WY) showed a general spatial pattern of “high in the southern mountains and low in the northern plains”, whereas Crop Production (CP) was more susceptible to create trade-offs with other ESs and has four types of constraint effects; (3) to ensure the maximal spatial variation in geography condition, we combined the SOM-SVM to divide the NMA area into 6 ecosystem service zones and advised land development and utilization by zoning characteristics. In addition, we compared the outcomes of zoning before and after SVM optimization to demonstrate the suitability of combining the SOM-SVM approach in zoning. Our research can provide a reference for the sustainable management of regional land resources and landscape planning.

Structural Equation Modeling of Phosphorus Transformations in Soils of Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. Plantations

Understanding the soil phosphorus (P) cycle is a prerequisite for the sustainable management of land resources. The sequential-extraction method was used to determine P fractions in 513 soils of Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. plantations. With these data, this study applied structural equation modeling to evaluate the interaction between various soil P fractions. Quantitative analysis was conducted on the importance of different soil P pools and P transformation pathways on soil P availability in a larch plantation. Our study showed that soluble inorganic P (Pi) was directly positively affected by labile Pi, labile organic P (Po), secondary mineral P, and primary mineral P, and was directly negatively affected by moderately labile Po. Soluble Pi was not directly affected by occluded P. The primary mineral P (β = 0.40) had the greatest total impact on soluble Pi, followed by secondary mineral P (β = 0.32) and labile P (labile Pi and Po, β = 0.31), and then occluded P (β = 0.11), with the total impact of moderately labile Po being relatively small (β = −0.06). In summary, this study reveals the important roles of soluble Pi in P transformations and in determining overall P availability in soils, as well as the extensive effects of weathering on soil P dynamics in L. principis-rupprechtii plantations.

Land under cereal production and environmental sustainability: Influence of total natural resources rents in the United States

Total natural resource rents have had an important influence on cereal production and environmental sustainability in the United States. The increased use of these resources has led to an increase in cereal production, as well as environmental degradation. As such, it is important to consider the impacts of total natural resource rents on cereal production and environmental sustainability when assessing the sustainability of the United States. This paper explores the impacts of land under cereal production and natural resources on environmental sustainability in the United States from 1970 to 2018. Results explain that land under cereal production, insurance, financial services, and economic growth positively correlate with the ecological footprint. In contrast, natural resources have a negative relationship with the environmental footprint. Land under cereal products, insurance, financial services, and economic growth degrades the environment while natural resources improve it. Policy implications for land under cereal production and environmental sustainability are heavily influenced by total natural resources rents in the United States. To ensure a sustainable future, policymakers must consider the environmental impacts associated with cereal production and develop comprehensive policies that promote sustainable land use and resource management.

Mapping Ecotourism Potential in Bangladesh: The Integration of an Analytical Hierarchy Algorithm and Geospatial Data

The significance of ecotourism has been increasing due to its potential for biodiversity preservation, economic advancement, and the promotion of sustainability awareness. In this research, geospatial analysis and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to identify feasible ecotourism sites in Bangladesh. The study applied Geographical Information System–Remote Sensing (GIS-RS) parameters and weighted overlay techniques for selected ecotourism characteristics, such as natural attractiveness, topographic features, accessibility, proximity to facilities, and community characteristics. The study found that a significant proportion (around 44%) of Bangladesh’s land exhibits high potential for ecotourism. Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, and Rangamati are particularly favorable ecotourism locations. However, some difficulties emerge in regions that are not easily reachable, such as mangrove forests, and in densely inhabited localities like Dhaka. The research also identified the ecological costs linked with ecotourism, such as the exhaustion of resources, the fragmentation of habitats, contamination, and the disruption of wildlife. The primary recommendations to address the adverse effects include educating the local populace, enforcing regulatory measures, implementing efficient waste management systems, enforcing a stringent code of conduct, providing economic incentives to the local communities, and addressing the issue of food security. The cartographically delineated potential zones have the potential to function as a navigational instrument for global travelers and facilitate the decision-making process of policymakers in the realm of sustainable land resource management in Bangladesh. This study enhances the understanding of the potential of ecotourism and offers valuable insights for advancing responsible and sustainable tourism practices within the nation.

Mapping irrigated agriculture in fragmented landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa: An examination of algorithm and composite length effectiveness

Accurately identifying irrigated areas is crucial for sustainable development, food security, and effective land and water resource management. However, incomplete or outdated national estimates of irrigated areas underestimate the extent of it, particularly among smallholders. This study aimed to address this issue by investigating the impact of different algorithms and composite lengths on predicting irrigated agriculture in four study areas in Mozambique. The study found that the choice of algorithm and composite length notably impacted the accuracy of identifying irrigation. Shorter composite lengths, such as 2-monthly or 3-monthly composites, were more effective in identifying irrigation in fragmented and dynamic landscapes, while longer composite lengths were better suited to stable classes and homogeneous landscapes. Artificial neural networks, support vector machines, and random forests were all effective algorithms for classifying irrigation. However, the study emphasised the importance of considering hotspots and agreement maps when identifying irrigation. Agreement maps combine the classification results of multiple models, providing better insights into the core areas of irrigated agriculture and allowing for a better understanding of irrigation dynamics and policy decision-making, particularly among smallholder systems. This research provides valuable insights for those working on remote sensing-based irrigation mapping and monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on identifying smallholder irrigation with greater certainty.

Harmonizing Population, Grain, and Land: Unlocking Sustainable Land Resource Management in the Farming–Pastoral Ecotone

As an important means of production and habitation, land is the core natural resource for people’s life and production. However, the escalating demand for land resources, along with population growth, has created a pressing challenge at the intersection of land, population, and grain. In this study, we used a combination of temporal and spatial perspectives, along with spatial analysis methods, to analyze the supply and demand of land resources in the Northeast Farming–Pastoral Ecotone (NFPE) based on the population–grain relationship. The results show that the carrying capacity of land resources in this region increased gradually and the number of people it can carry increased from 34.23 million (2000) to 127.96 million (2018). From 2000 to 2018, the land resource carrying index (LRCI) was greater than 1.125, showing a state of surplus in grain, and the LRCI increased by 0.23 per year. Most areas in this region are in a state of grain surplus, with 13 counties showing a population and grain balance, and 2 counties being overpopulated. However, the increasing trend of land resource carrying capacity of the overpopulated areas and the balanced population–grain areas are notable. The carrying capacity of land resources in the NFPE generally exhibits a positive trend with a surplus of grain; however, there are spatial variations. Areas in the south and northeast demonstrate lower change trends, while the north and southeast exhibit higher change trends. This research provides critical insights into the dynamic interplay between land, population, and grain, enabling informed decision making for sustainable development in the NFPE and offering valuable lessons for similar regions globally.

Pb and O isotopic characteristics of single minerals in the Jianggang radial sand ridges of the southwestern Yellow Sea: Implications for provenance and pathways of silt-size sediments

Understanding the sediment provenance of the Jianggang radial sand ridges (RSRs) along the Jiangsu coast in the southwestern Yellow Sea is crucial for sustainable coastal development and land resource management. In this study, the provenance and transport patterns of silt-size sediments in the Jianggang RSRs were explored using Quartz oxygen (O) and K-feldspar lead (Pb) isotopic compositions and their large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) concentrations. The Pb-O isotopic compositions and concentrations of most LILEs in RSRs sediments were between those of the Yangtze River Mouth (YTZ), Old Yellow River Delta (OYR), and Modern Yellow River Mouth (MYR). The Pb-O isotopic compositions and typical elemental ratios were similar between the onshore and northwest offshore RSRs sediments, implying shoreward transport of offshore silt-size sediments. Through multidimensional scaling and graphic methods, it was found that the sediments of onshore and offshore RSRs originate mainly from the YTZ and OYR. Furthermore, the MixSIAR model showed that the contributions of the YTZ to onshore and offshore RSRs reached 33 ± 4 % and 36 ± 3 %, respectively. Followed by the OYR with contributions of 36 ± 3 % and 25 ± 8 %, respectively, and the contributions of the MYR and Korean Peninsula were <21 % and 8 %, respectively. Meanwhile, contributions from the Northern Chinese Deserts (approximately 10 %) deserved attention. Through the distribution of indicators, the transport patterns of silt-size sediments were proposed and compared with those of other fractions for the first time. According to the correlation analysis, the change in the area of central Jiangsu coast was mostly affected by terrestrial river supply and coastal mariculture. Therefore, it was necessary to control the scale of river reservoir construction and strengthen mariculture for sustainable land development and management. In future, comprehensive interdisciplinary and large temporal–spatial scales are suggested to further understand the coastal development.