Coupling coordination characteristics of arable land intensification and large-scale utilization in Hubei Province in 2000-2020

Intensification and large-scale utilization of arable land are important indicators to assess the efficiency of arable land use. It is essential to sustain national food security and sustainable agricultural development in China. Taking Hubei Province of China as the study region, this study aims to investigate the overall utilization pattern of regional cropland resources over the last two decades. The spatial patterns were also analyzed to investigate the coupling coordination characteristics for arable land intensification and large-scale utilization. Firstly, an evaluation index system was built under the intensification and large-scale utilization, according to the theory of intensive utilization and landscape pattern. Agricultural statistics and remote sensing land cover datasets were selected to calculate the intensification level and large-scale utilization level at the county scale. Secondly, the spatial and temporal patterns were analyzed under the arable land intensification and large-scale utilization. Lastly, the coupling relationship model was conducted to investigate the coupling coordination characteristics of arable land intensification and large-scale utilization from 2000 to 2020. It was found that: 1) There was a high arable land intensification in the central part of the study area, but low in the east and west, with the overall score increasing from 0.23 in 2000 to 0.32 in 2020. The important factors were determined as the input and utilization intensity, leading to the improved level of the arable land intensification. Some suggestion was also proposed to optimize the existing intensive utilization. Much attention can be paid to the intensive development level of the Shennongjia forest area and Changyang County. 2) The large-scale utilization of arable land was high in the south, but low in the north, whereas, high in the middle, but low in the east and west. The overall score decreased from 0.31 in 2000 to 0.29 in 2010, and then increased to 0.30 in 2020. The decrease in the size and shape of the plaque was the main factor in the decline. The majority of counties in the western mountains showed an increasing trend in the large-scale utilization level from 2000 to 2020, while the majority of counties in the eastern showed a decreasing pattern. It was recommended to focus on the integration of the cultivated land resources in the mountain or hilly areas in the eastern and western. 3) The coupling coordination between the intensification and large-scale utilization was high in the middle, but low in the surrounding area, indicating the increase from 2000 to 2020. The proportion of counties with coordinated development increased from 49% to 55%. However, 21% of counties and cities were still in the mild imbalance level in 2020. These counties and cities (e.g., Suizhou City, Guangshui City, and Luotian County) presented a low large-scale utilization level, but relatively high intensification level, leading to the imbalance of the coupling degree. It is necessary to fully meet the local conditions for better coordinated regional development. The spatial and temporal characteristics of arable land intensification and large-scale utilization can provide theoretical support and decision-making services for the structural adjustment of cultivated land utilization, efficient utilization of agricultural resources, and sustainable development. The finding can provide guidance for the new modes of future arable land intensive and large-scale development.