Exploring the role of arable land consolidation suitable for agricultural machinery in mitigating land fragmentation in hilly and mountainous areas

Zhuoyan Zhang; Wenqiu Ma; Heng Yang; Yinhao Yao; Yang Zhang; Wenqing Li

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126097

Exploring the role of arable land consolidation suitable for agricultural machinery in mitigating land fragmentation in hilly and mountainous areas

J Environ Manage. 2025 Aug:389:126097. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126097. Epub 2025 Jun 10.

Authors

Zhuoyan Zhang¹, Wenqiu Ma², Heng Yang³, Yinhao Yao⁴, Yang Zhang⁵, Wenqing Li⁶

Affiliations

¹ College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China. Electronic address: zhangzy@cau.edu.cn.
² College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Investigation, Monitoring, Protection and Utilization for Cultivated Land Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources, Chengdu, 610045, China. Electronic address: wqma@cau.edu.cn.
³ College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China. Electronic address: cau_yangheng@163.com.
⁴ College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China. Electronic address: yaoyinhao86@163.com.
⁵ College of Urban Economics and Public Administration, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing, 100070, China. Electronic address: geozhangyang@yeah.net.
⁶ Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation, Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, 100035, China. Electronic address: liwq@mail.bnu.edu.cn.

PMID: 40494237
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126097

Abstract

The fragmented arable land in hilly and mountainous areas reduces agricultural productivity significantly, and even poses challenges to agricultural sustainability. Land consolidation suitable for agricultural machinery (LCAM) is believed to be the most promising way to mitigate arable land fragmentation (ALF). Therefore, the paper assessed the spatial patterns of ALF from landscape, tenure, and farming fragmentation, as well as identifying the potential for LCAM to reduce ALF in hilly and mountainous areas of eastern Liaoning Province. The results showed that as the slope increased, the ALF characteristics became more severe, together with an average value of 0.57 in 2020. Spatially, positive spatial autocorrelation existed across the areas. In this paper, the potential for LCAM was identified by considering various types of ALF and dividing it into three dimensions (natural resource endowment, accessibility of agricultural machinery, and ecological stability). It presented a significant spatial differentiation. The average LCAM value was 0.44. Additionally, this paper identified five dominant obstacle factors for this purpose. Accordingly, this paper classified land into four zones based on the "potential" and "obstacle factors": the priority consolidation zone, the moderate consolidation zone, the comprehensive consolidation zone, and the reserve consolidation zone. This zoning provided a solid foundation for determining the sequence of implementation and tailoring strategies for LCAM schemes. In general, LCAM helps increase the productivity and integrity of public facilities of fragmented arable land by enlarging the plot size and providing a spatial basis for land rights reform. Both can effectively inhibit ALF. Together, alternative strategies involving adapting to different agricultural conditions, strengthening arable land ecosystem protection, and enhancing governmental financial support could facilitate the practical application of LCAM schemes and achieve sustainable agricultural production in China.

Keywords: Agricultural sustainability; Arable land fragmentation; Ecological stability; Land consolidation schemes; Obstacle factors; Zoning-based management.

MeSH terms

Agriculture*
China
Conservation of Natural Resources* / methods
Ecosystem
Natural Resources