Research on the Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics and Driving Factors of Cropland in Tanzania from 1990 to 2020

Jiaqi Zhang, Yannan Liu, Rongrong Zhang, Jiaqi Fan, Zhiming Dai () and Hui Liang ()
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Jiaqi Zhang: Social Development Research Center, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Yannan Liu: School of Computer Science and Technology, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Rongrong Zhang: Social Development Research Center, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Jiaqi Fan: Social Development Research Center, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Zhiming Dai: Social Development Research Center, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Hui Liang: Henan International Joint Laboratory of Computer Animation Implementation Technologies, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-20

Abstract: Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of croplands is crucial for guiding agricultural transformation, food security, and sustainable land use in Africa. This study employs 30 m resolution land cover data and multi-source datasets to examine the spatiotemporal changes in rainfed and irrigated cropland and their driving factors in Tanzania from 1990 to 2020 through multiple GIS spatial analysis methods. The results indicate a net increase in Tanzania’s total cropland area, primarily driven by the expansion of irrigated cropland that has offset the volatile decline of rainfed cropland. From 1990 to 2000, rainfed cropland showed intense bidirectional conversion with shrubland and forest; thereafter, the scale of this conversion continued to decrease. In contrast, irrigated cropland expansion exhibited phased fluctuations. Spatially, rainfed cropland dominates the central, lake, and western zones, while irrigated cropland is predominantly concentrated in the western and southern highland. Hotspots of rainfed cropland shifted from extensive expansion in the central and western zones during the 1990s to localized growth in mountainous areas by the 2010s. Concurrently, irrigated cropland hotspots evolved from a lakeside-concentrated pattern to contiguous development in the central and western zones. Both cropland types exhibit a northwest–southeast spatial orientation. The center of rainfed cropland shifted northwest before moving southeast, while that of irrigated cropland migrated southeastward and then stabilized. Rainfall is a key determinant of rainfed cropland distribution, whereas river network and road network density exert a growing influence on irrigated cropland.

Keywords: rainfed cropland; irrigated cropland; spatiotemporal evolution; regional differences; Tanzania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:9:p:1771-:d:1738514

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