Driving Forces of Arable Land Conversion in China
Abstract
This paper examines the major driving forces behind the conversion of arable land to non-agricultural uses in china during the reform years (1978-1995). Both graphic techniques, based on a Geographic Information System (GIS), and an econometric modeling approach are employed. It is found that industrialization and land losses due lo land degradation have played an equally important role in reducing the gross quantity of arable land. The findings suggest that strengthening protection measures for arable land against natural hazards will significantly contribute to maintaining the gross scale of arable land. In order to save high-quality farmland it is necessary to increase the intensity of non-agricultural land uses through both economic incentives and administrative measures.
