Agricultural Land Use Research Articles

Comparison of two isotopic hydrograph separation methods in the Hydrological Open Air Laboratory, Austria

AbstractExploring the contributions of new and old water to runoff during precipitation events in agricultural catchments is essential for understanding runoff generation, solute transport, and soil erosion. The aim of this study was to investigate the variability in the isotopic composition of precipitation and runoff in the 66 ha agricultural catchment in Austria, in the Hydrological Open Air Laboratory (HOAL), in order to compare two isotope hydrograph separation methods. The classical two‐component (IHS) and the ensemble hydrograph separation (EHS) were applied to multiple large events in May–October of 2013–2018 using δ18O and δ2H. The peak flow new water contributions obtained by IHS were compared with the average new water fraction from EHS. The average new water fraction calculated with EHS based on regular weekly sampling was close to zero, which can be explained by the large diffuse groundwater discharge into the stream between the events. When only investigating events with high temporal resolution sampling, the results suggest that EHS provided average new water fractions during peak flows (0.46 ± 0.04 for δ18O, 0.47 ± 0.03 for δ2H) that were close to the averages obtained by IHS (0.47 for δ18O, 0.50 for δ2H). New water fractions tended to be higher for larger rainfall intensities. High peak flow new water fractions could be explained by the agricultural land use and soils with low permeability promoting overland flow generation and by some of the tile drainage systems contributing to the delivery of water. In conclusion, a weekly sampling frequency was not sufficient in the HOAL but instead high‐resolution sampling during events was necessary to estimate the average new water contributions during events. While EHS may be a more robust approach compared to IHS, as it relaxes some of the assumptions of IHS, IHS can provide information on the variability of new water contributions of individual events.

Assessment of Heavy Metals Using the Enrichment Factor and Geoaccumulation Index in Menjer Lake, a Tropical Volcanic Lake

Lakes are recognized as vulnerable to pollution, including Menjer Lake, whose catchment area is dominated by agricultural lands and features floating net cages in the water body. The heightened contamination risk within the lake primarily stems from the accumulation of heavy metals, compounds known for their profound toxicity. The high-level concentration of heavy metal in sediment aligns with the level of water toxicity, underscoring the urgent need for thorough assessment and monitoring. The research focused on assessing heavy metal concentration and distribution through spatial analysis. Toxicity levels were evaluated using the enrichment factor (EF) and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo). This study collected eight samples each during the rainy season of 2022 and 2023. The heavy metals were tested using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), including Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Al, and Cu. Comparatively, the mean concentration of heavy metals in 2023 was slightly higher for Fe and Al than in 2022. Moreover, Cd was not detected in either 2022 or 2023. The variety of land use and land cover has consequences on the spatial distribution of toxicity levels, showing an influential correlation between Al, Pb, and Fe metals with locations associated with cropland and floating net cages. Additionally, highly steep slopes significantly affected erosions that induced sediment from agricultural land use, further underscoring the multifaceted nature of environmental risk factors.

Ландшафтно-экологическое территориальное зонирование (на материалах Акмолинской области)

Introduction. Modern human activities in nature are subject to increasing regulation and restrictions, which should be reflected in systems for the use of natural resources, primarily in agricultural production. The problem under consideration is of particular relevance for the regions of Northern Kazakhstan, since the natural landscapes of the region have been radically changed and transformed into natural and agricultural complexes with a disturbed landscape-ecological balance.From the point of view of modern natural science, the organization of the rational use of rural areas should be solved by applying a concept based on the landscape-ecological approach. The purpose of the study. Territorial zoning of the agricultural landscape to optimize the use of agricultural land based on the landscape-ecological approach. Research methods. Cartographic materials used as the basis for the creation of diagrams and design developments, obtained on the basis of data from the virtual information system of the land cadastre of the Republic of Kazakhstan and processed using the ArcGIS program. Research results. Based on materials from the steppe zone of the Akmola region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an analysis of landscape conditions and ecological stability of agricultural landscape systems was carried out. Analysis of territorial landscape zoning allowed us to conclude that the predominant part of the field landscapes of the steppe eons of this region is occupied by natural-territorial complexes of watershed spaces and watershed slopes, and the most common form of relief is slope surfaces. Ecological zoning of agricultural landscapes in the Akmola region revealed that the most common agricultural landscapes are characterized by weak stability and unstable agricultural landscapes. The article proposes a methodology for territorial zoning of agricultural lands on a landscape-ecological basis in the conditions of the Akmola region. It includes the following procedure: drawing up a landscape map. identification of homogeneous ecological zones; agrolandscape microzoning. As a result of research at the research object, a scheme of territorial landscape-ecological zoning for land use of agricultural formations was compiled, which is based on taking into account the paradynamic landscape structure of steppe landscapes and the degree of their anthropogenic transformation. At the same time, relatively homogeneous landscape-ecological microzones were identified, within which the elementary landscapes of the steppe catena were differentiated according to measures that stabilize the stability of the agricultural landscape. Conclusions. 1. On the territory of the Akmola region, natural landscapes have been transformed into agricultural production modifications. with a low degree of sustainability, requiring measures to maintain landscape-ecological balance. 2. The methodology for territorial zoning of steppe agricultural landscapes should be based on taking into account the paradynamic landscape structure of steppe landscapes, i.e. its catenary device. 3. Application of the results of territorial landscape-ecological zoning in design developments for the use and protection of land will allow the selection of optimal directions that ensure the sustainability of agricultural landscapes.

농지제도의 개선을 통한 농업경쟁력 강화 방안

1. CONTENTS (1) RESEARCH OBJECTIVES In order to strengthen agricultural competitiveness, the average production cost of agricultural products should be lowered by expanding the arable area per farm, and for this, the farmland ownership system needs to be reorganized. (2) RESEARCH METHOD This study has been mainly studied in the literature study. It analyzes using various statistics and articles related to farmland ownership system. (3) RESEARCH FINDINGS It seems reasonable to regularize the survey on farmland use, and the Korea Rural Community Corporation should have an organization of farmland bank managers along with the farmland bank system to oversee the survey. 2. RESULTS It is necessary to revitalize the farmland banking system that manages farmland transactions, leases, and farmland information as improvement measures and policy tasks for farmland acquisition qualifications and farmland ownership limits. In addition, farmland in agricultural promotion areas and agricultural protection areas should be suppressed for other purposes as much as possible, and the principle of cultivation should be maintained in a declarative sense, but more prospective farmland ownership and lease policies are required to expand the size of farming.

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF AN INTEGRATED INFORMATION MODEL FOR OPTIMIZING LAND USE AND FORECASTING YIELDS IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

The paper presents the development of a conceptual information model for optimizing land use and crop forecasting in agriculture, implemented using the PHP programming language, Javascript and the MYSQL database management system. The model is designed to solve optimization problems in various fields such as logistics, manufacturing, finance, etc. As part of the work, an information model was developed, which is a set of data, algorithms and software modules designed to solve optimization problems. The model is implemented based on PHP, Javascript, and MYSQL technologies. The model allows you to solve optimization problems of varying complexity using various optimization methods such as linear programming, nonlinear programming, artificial intelligence methods, etc. The model can be applied to solve optimization problems in various fields. In addition, the model allows you to solve optimization problems with a high degree of accuracy and in a short time, and also has a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily and quickly set optimization tasks. An information model has been developed that will make it possible to predict the harvest taking into account data on weather, soil, crops and historical yield data, as well as optimize land use taking into account data on soil type, climate, crop rotation and financial indicators. The developed information model can improve the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. The model can be used by agronomists and farmers to make more informed decisions. The model takes into account data on soil type, climate, crop rotation and financial indicators to optimize land use.

Managing Transboundary Water Resources At the Edge of Human Interface: A Case of Kagera River Basin, Tanzania

Globally, water concerns stemming from human factors are evident, and the Kagera River Basin exemplifies this challenge. This study investigated the influence of human elements on transboundary water resource management in the Kagera River Basin. Utilizing focus group discussions, household surveys, key informant interviews, and field observations, the study analysed land use changes via remote sensing; and processed quantitative data using SPSS 20 and ArcGIS 10.4. Results highlighted economic, political, and social factors as key factors influencing transboundary water resource management. The institutional analysis identified major players to include the Ministry of Water, Lake Victoria Basin Water Board, NELSAP, Ministry of Agriculture, village governments, and CONCERN/OXFAM. Non-climatic factors such as water infrastructure management, socio-economic factors, conflicting water uses, agricultural practices causing soil erosion, and land use/cover changes were identified as central to transboundary water resource challenges. Agricultural expansion and land use shifts in the basin in 1986, 2000 and 2021 were pinpointed as contributors to water resource challenges, impacting availability, access, and quality. Anthropogenic-driven land use changes emerged as significant contributors to pollution, habitat loss, and alterations in water quality. While human factors substantially influence water resources, their impact is exacerbated by anthropogenic activities. Thus, fostering collaborative planning and stewardship initiatives at the local level is crucial for sustaining transboundary water resources. This involves engaging community members and leaders in developing resilience plans and initiating international cooperation, and innovative participatory approaches for effective transboundary water resources management.

Pollination knowledge among local farmers in northern Tanzania and the role of traditional agroforestry practices in promoting pollinator forage plants

Pollination services by insects contribute strongly to food security and ecosystem stability. However, especially in Africa, little is known about farmer's knowledge and awareness of pollination services. Here, we first surveyed home garden farmers about their knowledge on pollination services, and their ability to recognize insect pollinators. Then we evaluated their home gardens for the availability of pollinator forage resources. We found that a majority of the farmers (89.1%) were not aware of pollination services and that awareness was higher for males and those with higher education levels. All farmers were able to recognize at least one insect species (especially, Apis mellifera) but most farmers did not know them as pollinators. We also found that 293 woody plant species from 62 families in Chagga home gardens (CHGs), provided insect pollinator forage. There was higher alpha diversity for exotic forage plants but higher gamma diversity for natives. The increase in diversity of pollinator forage plants reduced the temporal variability of flower richness. Our findings suggest that farmers should be made more aware of pollination services as well as insect pollinators specifically regarding their benefits to increase willingness to conserve them. Awareness programs should be accessible to women and those with little formal education as they exhibit the least knowledge. Also, various media tools should be used for effective dissemination to the different target audiences. Our findings also provide evidence that if managed properly some traditional agricultural land use systems can enhance pollination services by providing diverse forage resources for insect pollinators.

Оценка влияния состояния и использования земель сельскохозяйственного назначения на обеспечение продовольственной безопасности регионов страны

The article examines the influence of the condition and use of agricultural land on ensuring food security in the regions. The objectives of the study are to study the condition, problems and efficiency of use of agricultural land. A typology of regions is proposed according to the level of food balance, production, share of exports and imports, as well as their classification depending on climatic and natural conditions. The study showed that donor regions are characterized by a positive food balance, participation in interregional exchange using their own surpluses, and a minimum level of imports. Recipient regions have a negative food balance and can carry out interregional exchange through imports.

Analyzing Agricultural Land Use with Cellular Automata-MARCOV and Forecasting Future Marine Water Quality Index: A Case Study in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia

Analyzing Agricultural Land Use with Cellular Automata-MARCOV and Forecasting Future Marine Water Quality Index: A Case Study in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia

Forecasting urban expansion of Vadodara City, Gujarat (India): An integrated modeling approach with spatial, economic and demographical parameters

Urbanization is the inevitable phenomenon associated with the development of the region. The cities and towns tend to expand their territory exerting pressure on the environment and resources. Often this growth turns into sprawl, owing to irrational planning policies, coarse data, and generalized approaches irrespective of the underlying characteristics of the region. Thus, the need for urban planners is to understand the impact of past policies and their future course. The spatial urban expansion models like Cellular automata (CA) prove to be effective to trace urban development along with predicting the future. It equips the inclusion of the multiple spatial parameters to understand its degree of influence on regional urbanization. The present study focuses on the prediction of urbanization for 2031 in the Vadodara urban development authority (VUDA) region in Gujarat (India) using the cellular automata model. The study includes multiple variables comprising the social, demography, and land price variation along with the physical and site-situation suitability. A total of 32 years of time series dataset for identification of the land use pattern was generated. The result shows the city of Vadodara predominantly service industries centric growth and having industrial development on the peri-urban stretch will push the city limit to expand and according to the calibrated CA model, around 25 sq. km of the area is going to be transformed into the built-up usage in the VUDA region by the year 2031. The expansion of the built-up cover will mostly transform agricultural land, scrubland, and open land usage. Thus, a balanced horizontal versus vertical growth of the city will be required to have sustainable city development.

ТЕОРЕТИЧНІ ОСНОВИ УПРАВЛІННЯ ЗЕМЕЛЬНИМ КАПІТАЛОМ ФЕРМЕРСЬКИХ ГОСПОДАРСТВ

The efficiency of farmers' management significantly depends on the effective management of land capital. It has been established that the management of land capital of farms is a system that covers all social relations and generally determines the set of relationships between the elements of the management system aimed at the rational and environmentally responsible land use. The subsystems of land capital management of farms are economic, environmental, regulatory, administrative, innovation and management, and land management and technological. The structural model of the system of land capital management of farms includes the subject, object, subject matter, purpose, goals, principles, functions, methods and mechanisms of management. The subject of this system, i.e., the management subsystem, are farms and government authorities of all levels that implement the state land, agrarian and tax policies and supervise compliance with the norms of rational land use. The object of management is differentiated by the depth of the essential content of the definition of “land”, covering land and its fertility, land resources and their capitalization, land and its investment attractiveness, agricultural land (by type) and the efficiency of its usage. The economic interests of landowners, land users, the state, and society are the basis for making managerial decisions by a farmer. It has been shown that the system of land capital management of farms should be based on the following basic principles: systematicity; purposefulness; balance of interests of a farmer, landowners, the state and society in the use of land resources; payment for land use; sustainable development of agricultural land use; rationality and economic feasibility of land use; priority of land protection as the main means of production; responsibility and information. The functions of land capital management of farms include planning of land capital use; forecasting of land capital use in the short, medium and long term; organization of land capital use; motivation and control of rational use of land capital.

METHODOLOGY OF INSTITUTIONAL REGULATION OF COMPLEX DEVELOPMENT OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS

Modern organizational and economic methods of managing agricultural land use in Ukraine do not ensure its sustainable development, which is reflected in the increasing degradation processes. The current institutional system in Ukraine’s land relations sector is characterized by uncertainty and the lack of clearly established social norms and rules for the ecological management and use of land resources, as well as the roles and statuses of participants in land relations. The absence of a unified national system that meets state and public needs and is supported by an adequate social environment and the ecological awareness of government authorities and citizens hinders the development of effective and competitive agricultural entrepreneurship aimed at creating environmentally clean land resources and producing safe products. A land management system is proposed, where the first level of goal decomposition includes the basic regulatory functions (creation of an ecological network and a system of sustainable land use; forecasting and spatial planning for the use of land and natural resources; development of effective forms of ownership and land use; state support and economic incentives for rational forms of ownership and land use). Regulatory functions, as the main element of the institutional regulation system for the comprehensive development of land management, also serve as the basis for classifying regulatory instruments. The article presents the author’s approach to classifying the instruments of institutional regulation for the comprehensive development of land management according to the basic regulatory functions and their instruments. The institutionalization of land management will contribute to environmentally safe land management in rural areas, the formation of unified land masses, and the reduction of degradation processes. It will also improve the procedures for maintaining land cadastre and monitoring, ensure legislative regulation of access for individuals and legal entities, landowners, and land users to information about land plots and soil quality, which will be used for organizing economic activities, as well as for the economic stimulation of rational land use.

Land use intensity is a major driver of soil microbial and carbon cycling across an agricultural landscape

Soil carbon (C) storage is a critical ecosystem function that underpins human health and well-being. The acceleration of human-driven land use change, such as agricultural intensification, is a major driver of soil C loss globally. Developing sustainable land use practices that enhance agricultural productivity whilst protecting essential ecosystem functions such as soil C storage is vital. The soil microbiome has a critical role in regulating soil biogeochemical cycling processes, including soil C cycling. Examining the impacts of land use intensity on the soil microbiome enables us to assess the potential effects on long-term soil C stocks. Using metagenomic DNA sequencing and phospholipid fatty acid analysis, we investigated differences in the activity, diversity, and function of the soil microbiome associated with five contrasting land uses across an agricultural landscape. The land uses covered a gradient of disturbance intensities and included remnant native forest, regenerating native bush, exotic plantation forest, dryland pasture, and irrigated pasture. We identified pronounced differences in the soil microbiome associated with each land use, including the diversity and abundance of microbial C and nitrogen (N) cycling genes. Notably, intensive agricultural land uses had a significantly higher diversity and abundance of microbial C-degrading genes, whilst land uses of remnant native forest had the lowest diversity and abundance of microbial C-degrading genes. Our findings suggest that intensive agricultural land use may increase the functional potential of the soil microbiome to mineralize soil C, potentially resulting in a greater loss of soil C as respired CO2 into the atmosphere. This research may be used to support the development of sustainable management practices that promote the persistence of soil C across agricultural landscapes, such as the protection of remnant native forest fragments and greater incorporation of regenerating native vegetation.

Exploring the Influence of Natural and Agricultural Land Use Systems on the Different Lability Organic Carbon Compounds in Eutric Endocalcaric Arenosol

It is important to ensure the ratio of stable and labile soil organic carbon (SOC) compounds in the soil as this influences ecosystem functions and the sustainability of soil management. The aim of this investigation was to determine the changes in SOC compounds and soil quality improvement in Arenosol soil after the conversion of arable land to natural and agricultural land use. The land use types included pine afforestation (PA), uncultivated abandoned land (UAL), unfertilised and fertilised cropland (CLunf, CLf), and unfertilised and fertilised grassland (GRunf, GRf). To assess the lability of organic carbon (OC) compounds, levels of mobile humic substances (MHSs), mobile humic acids (MHAs), mobile fulvic acids (MFAs), active C pool (POXC), and water-soluble C (WEOC) compounds were determined. It was found that faster OC accumulation occurs in PA soil than in CLf, and is somewhat slower in grassland uses (GRf and UAL). As the amount of SOC increased, more MHS formed. A significant increase in their quantity was found in PA (+92.2%) and CRf and UAL (+51.5–52.7%). The application of mineral fertilisers promoted the formation of MHSs in CLf and GRf. PA, GRunf, and GRf soils had more suitable conditions for MHA formation (MHA/MFA > 1.3), whereas CLunf soil contained more MFAs. The POXC pool was insensitive to land-use changes in the Arenosol. After land-use conversion, POXC amounts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in natural ecosystems (UAL and PA) and fertiliser perennial grasses than in CL. The amount of WEOC increased the most in UAL, PA, and GRf (7.4–71.1%). The sequence of decrease in land use was GRf, UAL, and PA > CLunf, CLf, and GRunf. The decreasing order of the carbon management index (CMI) of different land uses (PA > UAL > GRf > GRunf > Clunf) confirms that faster OC accumulation in Arenosol soil occurred in PA and grassland land uses (GRf and UAL). The values of the carbon lability index (CLI) variation (CLunf > GRunf GRf > UAL > PA) show that in PA, UAL, and GRf land uses, mobile organic matter (OM) forms are relatively less formed, which stabilises OC accumulation in the soil. The CMI showed that UAL and GRf were the most suitable soil uses for Arenosol soils.

ЗЕМЕЛЬНО-РЕСУРСНЫЙ ПОТЕНЦИАЛ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЙ СЕВЕРНОЙ ЗОНЫ ОМСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

Agricultural lands are one of the most important categories of land resources in the Russian Federation, since they are the basis of the economic sector that provides the population with food, as well as for obtaining raw materials for various industries. The main means of production in agriculture is land, as well as the use of natural resources that are inextricably linked with the land. After the land reform of 1991 in Russia, many shortcomings began to emerge in the use of agricultural land. Undesirable phenomena began to appear in the agricultural land use system, which often include underutilization of agricultural lands, which leads to their overgrowing with trees and shrubs and their further transfer to non-agricultural lands, violation of the scientifically based use of arable lands, the development of land use deficiencies, and the lack of clear fixed boundaries of economic entities. These problems are more pronounced in the increase in the area of agricultural land, which is subject to negative natural processes, the development of erosion and deflation, a decrease insoilfertility, etc.

Characterization and Mapping of the Potential Area of Oil Palm Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis in a Geographic Information Systems Environment

This study presents a GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) spatial model to assess land suitability for oil palm (OP) cultivation in rainfed conditions. Initially, twelve parameters, viz., rainfall, number of rainy days, mean temperature, RH, ground water level, soil pH, salinity, soil depth, surface texture, stoniness, slope, and drainage, were selected for assessing OP suitability in one of the states (Kerala). However, subsequent ground verification revealed significant discrepancies, which prompted refining the model by focusing on key parameters with greater accuracy and relevance. Accordingly, only five the most critical parameters affecting OP cultivation under rainfed conditions were selected through the rank sum method, and weights were assigned ac-cording to their significance. This study was aimed at creating a comprehensive tool for informed decision making in agricultural planning. District-level spatial data from reliable sources were utilized for Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis. Thematic rasters, representing key factors influencing land suitability, were created in a GIS. Utilizing MCDA techniques, a digital suitability map was generated in ArcGIS 10.3, delineating three distinct classes over an extensive area of 10.5 million hectares. Further, with an aim to focus on actual locations that can be readily planted with oil palm, the suitable locations identified were restricted to eight selected land use/land cover (LULC) classes. This strategic limitation aimed to facilitate the expansion of OP cultivation exclusively to areas deemed most suitable based on the identified criteria. The validation of this developed model involved comparing the suitability map generated with the performance of existing oil palm plantations across diverse locations. The reasonable similarity between the model’s predictions and real-world plantation outcomes validated the effectiveness of this MCDA spatial model. This model not only helps identify suitable locations for rainfed oil palm cultivation but also serves as a valuable tool for strategic decision making in agricultural land use planning.

Spatial examination of social and environmental drivers of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) across Kenya.

Climate and agricultural land-use change has increased the likelihood of infectious disease emergence and transmissions, but these drivers are often examined separately as combined effects are ignored. Further, seldom are the influence of climate and agricultural land use on emerging infectious diseases examined in a spatially explicit way at regional scales. Our objective in this study was to spatially examine the climate, agriculture, and socio-demographic factors related to agro-pastoralism, and especially the combined effects of these variables that can influence the prevalence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in dromedary camels across northern Kenya. Our research questions focused on: (1) How MERS-CoV in dromedary camels has varied across geographic regions of northern Kenya, and (2) what climate, agriculture, and socio-demographic factors of agro-pastoralism were spatially related to the geographic variation of MERS-CoV cases in dromedary camels. To answer our questions, we analyzed the spatial distribution of historical cases based on serological evidence of MERS-CoV at the county level and applied spatial statistical analysis to examine the spatial relationships of the MERS-CoV cases between 2016 and 2018 to climate, agriculture, and socio-demographic factors of agro-pastoralism. Regional differences in MERS-CoV cases were spatially correlated with both social and environmental factors, and particularly ethno-religious camel practices, which highlight the complexity in the distribution of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels across Kenya.

The use of living labs to advance agro-ecological theory in the transition towards sustainable land use: A tale of two polders

Agricultural ecosystems worldwide are on life support. A key challenge is the translation of global sustainability goals to local contexts, particularly those related to sustainable land use, climate and biodiversity at the landscape scale. Living labs, place-based, focal areas as pilots of change, have the potential to be instrumental in driving the development of local solutions. When used to their full potential, they can both enable the advancement of agro-ecological theory and aid the transition to sustainable agricultural land use. In this viewpoint paper we present two conceptual advancements culminating in their high potential: (1) a methodological approach with replicated modes of transition and reference sites, while proposed agricultural modes are co-created through stakeholder encounters, (2) a framework that enables long-term monitoring of the relation between ecosystem functioning (expressed as leakiness) and biodiversity (expressed as ecological interaction networks), taking into account the full scale of ecological interactions within the agro-ecosystem. We illustrate how these conceptual advances can be implemented in a living lab in the Netherlands. Here, we discuss how these advances can generate impact and accelerate the transition to planetary-scale sustainability in agricultural ecosystems.

Study on China’s Farmland–Grain resource curse: Empirical testing based on 31 Provinces and 2843 Counties

Food security is one of the largest concerns in the country, but in reality, it often presents an abnormal phenomenon of “abundant grain production with the poor economy”. Considering that the existing research on resource curse has hardly touched upon the topic of farmland and grain resources curse, and there is a lack of quantitative empirical analysis on the impact of farmland and grain resources abundance on regional economic development, this study uses an organic combination of provincial and county scales to analyze the spatial differences of the curse in China’s provinces and counties, carry out empirical testing of China’s farmland–grain resource curse based on panel data collected from 31 provinces in 2001–2021 and 2843 counties in 2014–2021, and revealed its influence mechanism by using the econometric model. The results suggest the following: (1) the curse of farmland and grain resources occurs to different degrees in more than 77 % of provinces and about 63 % of counties in China, and about 19 % of counties are at the serious and extremely serious levels. (2) The curse of farmland and grain resources occurs in regions with high grain output, and has a negative influence on regional economic growth. In terms of estimation results at the provincial level, for every 1 % increase in total cultivated land area, grain sowing scale, and total grain output, GDP will decrease by an average of 0.2344 %, 0.1699 %, and 0.1424 %, respectively. In terms of estimation results at the county level, for every 1 % increase in total grain output, GDP will decrease by an average of 0.0824 %. (3) The curse effect mainly comes from the main grain production areas, and the results show that in the county–level studies, for every 1 % increase in total grain output in main grain production areas, GDP will decrease by an average of 0.0889 %. Overall, the regression results of total grain output at the provincial and county scales are relatively similar. (4) The poverty degrees and grain output levels in counties show a superposition trend with the curse effect. (5) The resource curse is caused by the effect of inhibiting the process of urbanization, crowding out the other industries in the main grain production areas, as well as the restrictions on the use of farmland and the reduction of grain price, so the economic development of regions with high grain output is relative slow. Based on these observations, this study proposes countermeasures to break the curse.

Planowanie terenów rolniczych w Bułgarii - obecna funkcjonalność prawodawstwa i perspektywy

Development Planning for the Agricultural Territory is a problematic activity in Bulgaria in terms of the existing legal requirements. Bulgarian legislation contains certain gaps in regulating and technically ensuring the agricultural land planning. This is well settled in relation to the other types of territories like the Urban, Forest, and Protected ones, which planning rules and activities are regulated in details. The purpose of the paper is firstly to justify the necessity of improving and detailing the legal regulations for the agricultural land development planning, and secondly to suggest some expert approaches for improving and harmonization of legislation in connection with registration of the agricultural property by Agricultural Territory Development Plan (ATDP), Restored Property Map (RPM) and Cadastral Map (CM). The current legal grounds for planning development of the agricultural land in Bulgaria are presented and analysed. Lack of detailed regulations on their scope, content and operation have been found. It is also a matter of applicability of the newly created municipal CMs in settling land relations such as purchases and sales of land, inheritances, divisions, and changing the primary purpose of use of Agricultural Territory for construction. The completeness of CM with information about the quality of agricultural lands is still not regulated by Cadaster and Property Register Act. The paper contains specific proposals for amendments in Spatial Planning Act, Cadastral and Property Registry Act and Agricultural Land Ownership and Use Act.