Analysis on spatial difference of newly increased farmland by land consolidation in China at county level

Abstract: In order to find out the spatial difference regarding quantity and source structure of newly increased cultivated land by consolidation in China, the data are acquired from a consolidation project from 2006 to 2012 by the Ministry of Land and Resources. This paper first analyzes the spatial-temporal pattern of China's newly increased cultivated land at county level according to corresponding data, and Geoda software is used to analyze the spatial correlation of newly increased cultivated land area and produces a LISA cluster map. Then the source structure of newly increased cultivated land is divided into seven categories, which forms a spatial-temporal pattern map. Finally we analyze the spatial difference of quantity and source structure of these land based on the above three maps, aiming to figure out the reason for these differences through analyzing natural conditions, economic development level, land use policy and other factors. The results showed that: 1) In terms of spatial distribution, newly increased cultivated land in eastern China ranks higher than that of the western, developed areas higher than less developed places, grain producing areas higher than the counterparts, and plains higher than mountainous and hilly areas. It can be easily found that the amount of newly increased cultivated land is closely related to regional economy and the reserve of cultivated land. 2) Newly increased cultivated land at county level has a clear positive correlation with spatial allocation, namely, developed regions near the eastern coast and key areas of land development are high-high areas, whereas less developed areas in central and western China, where was poor concerning natural condition and regional resources reserve are low-low areas. At the same time, high-low areas and low-high areas form great contrasts with surrounding areas in economy and resource. 3) When it comes to the source structure of newly increased cultivated land, there are significant regional and provincial differences. Newly increased cultivated land in the eastern coastal developed regions comes mainly from land consolidation and reclamation while in northern regions development and consolidation contribute the most. Source structure in central China was complex. To be more specific, most of the cultivated land in Sichuan and Chongqing are from land consolidation, while in middle Shanxi and Hubei land consolidation and reclamation create more cultivated land. Land development rate is high in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, etc. Even between those provinces that are similar in economy and resource, such as Guangdong and Zhejiang, Liaoning and Jilin, significant differences still exist. The above results reflect that the source structure of newly increased cultivated land in eastern coastal provinces is reasonable, and its current arrangement of land consolidation is suitable to optimize the structure of land use and sustainable development. Meanwhile, the source structure of newly increased cultivated land of some provinces is unsatisfied and needs to be guided and changed. In the future, the guiding role of national land consolidation planning should be strengthened to standardize the provincial land consolidation project. Taking the opportunity of the construction of well-facilitated primary farmland, it is necessary to give priority to land consolidation, attach importance to land reclamation and control land development.