Estimation and validation of rural residential land consolidation potential based on vegetation coverage rate

Abstract: To acquire proper rural residential land consolidation potential, a new approach for estimating rural residential land consolidation potential based on vegetation coverage rate was developed in this study. Firstly, vegetation coverage in research area was classified using FCD model（forrest canopy density mapping model）, which was derived from bio-physical model and developed during ITTO(International Tropical Timber Organization) Project PD32/93 Rev.2(F), "Rehabilitation of Logged-over Forests in Asia-Pacific Region, Sub-project III"(JOFCA 1991,1993). Then, high resolution remote sensing (RS) images (in 2009) of typical village samples selected by stratified sampling method were obtained via Google Earth (GE) platform. And further classification was performed to gain inner land use structure of village samples by visual interpretation on the support of ENVI 4.8 software. Using ArcGIS 10.0, relationship between vegetation coverage and inner land use structure of rural residential land was determined after layer overlapping. On the basis of rural residential land consolidation potential estimation model introduced in "key points for county level land development and consolidation specific plan compilation" and modified coefficients generated by a series of calculation, modified model based on vegetation coverage was established. Then the case study was carried out in Mentougou District, Beijing city. The results indicated that most rural residential lands in Mentougou District exhibited little consolidation potential. Whereas the rural residential land distributed far from main roads, the county of low level economy manifested consolidation potential. Rural residential land in mountainous areas of medium and high level consolidation potential was more than that in plain and low mountainous areas, and less than that of low level consolidation potential. Construction land in rural residential land only accounted for 63.19%-71.54%. However, rural residential land was classified as construction land in the second national land survey based on collective land use rights without taking land cover into account, which exaggerated the real consolidation potential in urban-rural construction land transfer. Furthermore, the lack of modified consolidation potential estimation will destroy farmland status quo and aggravate land quality.