Agricultural Transformation and Its Impact on Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being in Peri-Urban Areas: The Case of Xi’an, China

Zhongxue Zhou, Xiaofang Liu, Bijun Zheng, Guy M. Robinson and Bingjie Song
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Zhongxue Zhou: School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Xiaofang Liu: School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Bijun Zheng: School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Guy M. Robinson: Department of Geography, Environment and Population, School of Social Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Bingjie Song: Department of Geography, Environment and Population, School of Social Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-25

Abstract: There is a gap in understanding the relationships between the transformation of agricultural landscapes, ecosystem services and human well-being in the peri-urban fringe of major cities worldwide. In this paper, we use semi-structured interviews, perception surveys, social surveys and field mapping to examine linkages between agricultural and landscape transition, ecosystem services and human well-being in five sample villages in Xi’an metropolitan zone, China. The results indicate that: (1) Agricultural change has increased landscape fragmentation, with a shift from grain to more profitable horticulture and nursery production. The farming system is more diversified and exhibits a multifunctional character. (2) This transformation has had a significant impact on the character of the agroecosystem. (3) The agricultural transformation towards greater multifunctionality has increased the supply of ecosystem services, including tourism-related activities, potentially improving human well-being. (4) Different combinations of activities in the sample villages were evaluated with respect to a well-being index, indicating the importance of combining horticulture and tourism. (5) Linkages identified between agricultural transformation, ecosystem services and human well-being may have significant implications for potential approaches within future studies.

Keywords: agricultural transformation; ecosystem services; human well-being; peri-urban; Xi’an metropolitan zone (XMZ) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:1:p:110-:d:721268

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