Spatiotemporal Variations of Cropland Quality and Morphology Under the Requisition–Compensation Balance Policy

Zhuochun Lin, Zejia Chen, Fengyu Zhang, Jiapei Li, Yifei Liufu, Lisiren Cao and Jinyao Lin ()
Additional contact information
Zhuochun Lin: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Zejia Chen: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Fengyu Zhang: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jiapei Li: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Yifei Liufu: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Lisiren Cao: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jinyao Lin: School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: The Requisition–Compensation Balance of Cropland (RCBC) policy is important for ensuring food security. Previous studies have mainly focused on the quantity and quality of cropland when assessing the impacts of this policy. In terms of morphology, previous studies have primarily relied on landscape indicators. Therefore, this study aims to thoroughly analyze the impacts of the RCBC policy on the quality and morphology of cropland (especially morphological spatial pattern analysis, MSPA) in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) during 1996–2021. To this end, we constructed a comprehensive evaluation index system by combining MSPA, landscape indicators, and field research. The results show that the cropland quality in the PRD has exhibited a consistent improvement trend. High-quality cropland is spreading from central cities to the periphery, and the spatial distribution is becoming more even. Nonetheless, MSPA reveals an increasing trend of cropland fragmentation. The results indicate a decline in the area of the “core”, an increase in the area of the “island”, and a decrease in the connectivity of the cropland. Our field research confirms that the RCBC policy has indirectly exacerbated cropland fragmentation. In many regions of the PRD, the fragmentation of cropland hinders the application of agricultural mechanization and increases the cost of cultivation, resulting in severe cropland abandonment. Therefore, local governments should implement rigorous planning and prioritize cropland morphology when compensating cropland. Our findings are expected to provide empirical evidence for improving the RCBC policy and protecting cropland.

Keywords: requisition-compensation balance; spatiotemporal characteristics; cropland quality; cropland morphology; MSPA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1235/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1235/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:1235-:d:1674406

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().