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Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China

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Title: Lowering cropland use intensity through crop-fallow rotation optimization fosters a resilient water future in the central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China
Authors: Xin Chen, Pingli An, Yaoyao Li, Guoliang Zhang, Yuling Jin, Yi Zhou, Haile Zhao, Luying Li, Zhihua Pan
Source: Agricultural Water Management, Vol 316, Iss , Pp 109570- (2025)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Agriculture (General)
Subject Terms: Cropland use intensity, Fallow, Remote sensing, Earth observation evidence, Farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China, Agriculture (General), S1-972, Agricultural industries, HD9000-9495
Description: The central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China (CFPENC), a key food-producing region, faces significant water resource challenges due to intensified agricultural activities. To address this, China initiated a pilot crop-fallow rotation system, yet its practical application remains largely unexplored. In this context, we developed a sensitive and high-resolution evaluation indicator for cropland use intensity (cLUI), using Ulanqab as a case study to investigate its spatiotemporal dynamics and ecological impacts over the past decade. Our analysis revealed an overall increase in Ulanqab's cLUI, with 59.09% of townships showing upward trends while 40.91% demonstrated downward shifts. Notably, the proportion of cropland exhibiting decreased cLUI was marginally higher. From 2010–2014, cLUI levels in Houshan and Qianshan were comparable, but Houshan significantly exceeded Qianshan from 2015 to 2019. Irrigated fields had the highest cLUI, followed by center pivot irrigation (CPI) fields and rainfed fields, with the fields implementing the green depressing cropping system (GDCS) showing the lowest. Approximately one-fifth of croplands exhibit moderate cLUI. Rising cLUI levels may exacerbate surface water shrinkage and groundwater depletion. Finally, we proposed a crop-fallow rotation regulation strategy to promote sustainable water management.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1873-2283
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425002847; https://doaj.org/toc/1873-2283
DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109570
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/3d0e4e7b8ffb40bf8d25b8ef68ae7789
Accession Number: edsdoj.3d0e4e7b8ffb40bf8d25b8ef68ae7789
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
Abstract:The central farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China (CFPENC), a key food-producing region, faces significant water resource challenges due to intensified agricultural activities. To address this, China initiated a pilot crop-fallow rotation system, yet its practical application remains largely unexplored. In this context, we developed a sensitive and high-resolution evaluation indicator for cropland use intensity (cLUI), using Ulanqab as a case study to investigate its spatiotemporal dynamics and ecological impacts over the past decade. Our analysis revealed an overall increase in Ulanqab's cLUI, with 59.09% of townships showing upward trends while 40.91% demonstrated downward shifts. Notably, the proportion of cropland exhibiting decreased cLUI was marginally higher. From 2010–2014, cLUI levels in Houshan and Qianshan were comparable, but Houshan significantly exceeded Qianshan from 2015 to 2019. Irrigated fields had the highest cLUI, followed by center pivot irrigation (CPI) fields and rainfed fields, with the fields implementing the green depressing cropping system (GDCS) showing the lowest. Approximately one-fifth of croplands exhibit moderate cLUI. Rising cLUI levels may exacerbate surface water shrinkage and groundwater depletion. Finally, we proposed a crop-fallow rotation regulation strategy to promote sustainable water management.
ISSN:18732283
DOI:10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109570