Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Changes in Cropland Occupation and Supplementation Area in the Pearl River Delta and Their Impacts on Carbon Storage

Shu-Qi Huang, Da-Fang Wu (), Jin-Yao Lin, Yue-Ling Pan and Ping Zhou
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Shu-Qi Huang: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Da-Fang Wu: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jin-Yao Lin: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Yue-Ling Pan: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Ping Zhou: Guangdong Nanling Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Guangdong Forestry Bureau Project (LC-2021124), Shaoguan 512600, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: In recent years, the “dual carbon” issue has become a major focus of the international community. Changes in land use driven by anthropogenic activities have a profound impact on ecosystem structure and carbon cycling. This study quantitatively assesses the spatiotemporal changes in cropland occupation and supplementation in the Pearl River Delta from 2000 to 2020 using the InVEST model, analyzing the spatial clustering of carbon storage changes caused by variations in cropland area. The PLUS model was employed to simulate land-use patterns and the spatial distribution of carbon storage in four future development scenarios. The results indicate the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the net change rate of cropland area in the Pearl River Delta was −0.81%, with a decrease of 16.49 km 2 in cropland area, primarily converted to built-up land and forest land. (2) Carbon storage in the Pearl River Delta exhibited a pattern of lower values in the center and higher values in the periphery. The terrestrial ecosystem carbon storage in the Pearl River Delta was 534.62 × 10 6 t in 2000, 518.60 × 10 6 t in 2010, and 512.57 × 10 6 t in 2020, showing an overall decreasing trend. The conversion of cropland and forest land was the main reason for the decline in total regional carbon storage. (3) The area of carbon sequestration lost due to cropland occupation was significantly greater than the area of carbon loss compensated by new cropland, indicating an imbalance in the quality of cropland occupation and supplementation as a crucial factor contributing to regional carbon loss. (4) Under the ecological priority scenario, the expansion of built-up land and the reduction in ecological land such as cropland and forest land were effectively controlled, resulting in the minimal loss of carbon storage. The soil organic carbon pool of cropland is the most active carbon pool in terrestrial ecosystems and has a significant impact on carbon storage. Clarifying the relationship between “cropland protection measures–land use changes–ecosystem carbon storage” will improve cropland protection policies, provide references for regional carbon sequestration enhancement, and support sustainable socio-economic development.

Keywords: carbon stock; cropland occupation and supplementation; hot spot and cold spot analysis; InVEST model; PLUS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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