A spatial analysis of land-use change and agriculture in eastern Canada

Publicly available statistics regarding rural demographics, rural society and land use are presented and analysed using Geographic Information System (GIS). Our aim was to provide a quantitative basis for discussion of rural policy issues such as urban encroachment. Productivity (tonnage) of crop agriculture has increased by about 230% over 40 years while that of livestock (expressed as livestock units) has remained constant. Agricultural consolidation and intensification seen in southern Ontario has not translated into economic sustainability where on-farm income declined from 1991 to 2000. However, on-farm income in southern Quebec and municipalities adjacent to Toronto increased, perhaps due to the niche markets created in these regions. The increases in agricultural activity throughout southern Ontario have occurred in regions that have been designated as sites for innovation clusters, thus providing a foundation of resources for bio-based industries to expand and innovate. Reflecting on trends of demographics and production systems we conclude that rural policy should orient its geographical delineation to regional and inter-provincial scales. Our analysis indicates that rural populations and communities are sustainable but agricultural enterprises have changed radically; they have maintained or increased productivity but lost profitability. Applying a rural landscape design to the entire region would help address the sustainability of agriculture and rural communities.     

Stakeholder perspectives for switching from rainfed to irrigated cropping systems at high latitudes

A growing scarcity of freshwater supplies threatens societies and their future wellbeing as demand for water in agriculture increases. Water deficit often interferes with crop growth in temperate regions. However, between season and within season spatial and temporal variations in precipitation are high. Finland has abundant, good-quality freshwater resources, but only 3% of arable land is irrigated, almost exclusively for horticultural production. We invited 14 stakeholders to participate in a panel to generate and evaluate potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT), focusing on future needs, means and restrictions of agricultural water management systems in Finland. During the panel meeting the expert members considered relevance, strategies and timescales for development and implementation of irrigation systems and characterized six strengths, seven weaknesses, 11 opportunities and six threats. Opportunities received the highest general priority. The SWOT results are further considered in this article from the viewpoints of readiness to operate, justifications for viability of implementation of water management systems and institutional and socio-economic drivers and limitations. The stakeholder perspectives encourage us to take the initial step to open the dialogue with policy makers with a clear message that the numerous management options should be explored in the near future in order to develop a solid strategy to either shift from rainfed to irrigated arable farming or not.     

“Been-heres vs. come-heres” and other identities and ideologies along the rural–urban interface: A comparative case study in Calaveras County,California

The rural–urban interface is the place of transition between that which we call “urban” and that which we call “rural.” The interface is situated between two places perceived to be different, but which are indelibly linked. Although the functional differences between “rural” and “urban” people (or those seen as “been-heres” versus “come-heres”) seem to be diminishing, differing perspectives and preferences persist along the rural–urban edge. Such differences influence the way that land users, decision makers, and the community manage the environment and react to landscape change. Using a comparative case study in Calaveras County, California, I examine the differences and similarities between “been-heres” and “come-heres” along several lines: basic demographic characteristics, political party affiliations and ideologies, and conceptions of private property rights, concluding that the dichotomy is false but instructive. The been-here/come-here divide, rather than being a definitive means for characterizing stakeholders or predicting their behavior or perspectives, serves as a heuristic for understanding the starting places of certain actors. Furthermore, this kind of analysis reveals not only where and how people and perspectives contrast but also the ways that they converge. Improving our understandings differing people and perspectives is especially important as decision-makers struggle to plan for and manage livable places and sustainable environments among groups with varying preferences which may sometimes conflict.     

我国土地利用和管理形势政策研判

目前土地利用和管理的政策重点为:调结构、调过剩产能、完善城乡统筹中土地制度,严格保护耕地.针对资源供应的刚性影响逐步扩大,全社会的发展理念发生着深刻的变化,为提高资源利用效率、走节约集约道路提供了良好的外部环境.应该供需双向调节,加速结构调整、统筹城乡发展,促进城市转型,加快宜居城市建设、实施建立差别化供地政策、强化耕地建设性保护专项工作.对2011年来讲,促进经济发展方式转变,节约集约用地是关键,严格保护耕地是硬任务,应推动土地利用方式根本转变.促进经济发展方式转变和经济社会又好又快发展.     

UK Land Use Futures: Policy influence and challenges for the coming decades

This paper, originally contributed as part of the government's Foresight investigation of Land Use Futures, considers the likely shape of policies affecting UK rural land use up to 2060, based on literature review, analysis of past and current trends and drivers, and discussion with selected policy experts. The postwar, centralised approach to spatial planning and countryside management has come under increasing challenge from domestic and international needs and concerns. European policy influence has increased in respect of agriculture and the natural environment. Zoning of land-use and a restrictive approach to built development have gradually weakened, and land-use drivers have become more multifunctional. Policy has moved away from a ‘top-down’ process designed in Whitehall towards a multi-layered structure within which international agreements and negotiations must be reconciled with regional and local, partnership-based approaches to planning and management, via national frameworks and a complex mix of regulatory and market-based instruments. Climate and energy policy, as well as policies on food and health, will require new and more diverse forms of development. A major challenge for the future could be the extent to which current, multi-layered spatial planning policies can accommodate the scale of change implied by the new mix of drivers from other policy areas. There is the possibility of an increasingly differentiated response across the UK countryside, as well as much more radical change in the system driven from the centre, as pressures increase.

While the Government Office for Science commissioned this review, the views are those of the author, are independent of Government, and do not constitute Government policy.     

191O年以来沈阳城区土地利用空间格局变化

研究目的：量化研究1910—2010年间沈阳城区土地利用数量、结构和景观格局等变化特征,并结合各时期不同的历史背景,分析政策制度对城市土地利用变化的影响。研究方法：空间统计分析和景观格局指数分析方法。研究结果：1910～2010年期间,各土地利用类型面积大幅度增加,其中1910—1931年期间年均变化量最小,平均为0．18km^2／年,1996—2010年间平均变化量迅速增加到2．72km^2／年,尤其是工商业用地增加量最大,为5．83km^2／年;另外,整个研究时段内的景观多样性指数、均匀度指数、分离度指数呈下降趋势,而优势度指数出现上升趋势。研究结论：不同时期土地利用空间格局变化存在较大差异,各组分的复杂性和分离度降低,大斑块的优势度增加。这些变化都直接和间接地与社会宏观经济制度、城市功能定位、土地政策及土地管理等政策制度密切相关。     

土地利用变化与碳循环

研究目的:分析土地利用变化与碳循环之间的关系,提出减少碳排放、适应\"低碳经济\"发展要求的土地资源管理建议。研究方法:文献分析法,归纳总结法。研究结果:(1)土地利用变化与碳循环的关系表现在两个方面,一是土地利用变化会增加碳排放,如土地利用非农化、土地开发、农地利用集约化等;二是土地利用变化会减少碳排放、增加碳汇,如植树造林、退耕还林还草、农地利用粗放化等;(2)土地利用行为与碳循环的作用机制可从土地利用的个体行为和社会群体行为及其相互关系中寻求解释。研究结论:为减少碳排放,一方面应限制建设用地过度扩展,着力推进节约集约用地;另一方面在农村地区应落实和巩固退耕还林还草成果,并加强农田的科学管理。     

The iLUC dilemma: How to deal with indirect land use changes when governing energy crops?

Due to land use effects, bioenergy use may cause adverse effects on biodiversity, soil and water and may even fail to guarantee a GHG emissions reduction compared to fossil fuel use. Accounting methodologies and policy instruments were elaborated to prevent these effects, but there is still no sound and consensual methodology to take into account indirect land use change that substantially contributes to GHG emissions as well as a loss of biodiversity. While the iLUC hypothesis, that is the potentiality of adverse effects arising from indirect land use change related to biomass cultivation, is hardly subject to dispute, the quantification of these effects and especially their policy implications are however contentious. Hence, bioenergy policies worldwide face a dilemma: Neglecting iLUC effects that do in fact exist or taking them into account although no sound methodology is available? The article covers the current state of the discussion and also analyses the approaches developed for taking indirect land use change into account. Assessment criteria for coping with the iLUC dilemma are developed and policy recommendations are derived from that.     

Zionism and agricultural land: National narratives,environmental objectives,and land policy in Israel

The 1990s saw two different and even contradictory trends in Israel. On the one hand, there was a substantial increase in environmental awareness, on the part of both the general public and decision-makers, that led to a change in the land use planning policy at the national level. On the other hand, the Israel Lands Council (ILC), the body empowered by law to shape the national land policy, made a series of decisions that severely violated the principle of preserving agricultural land and led to massive conversion of agricultural land and open space for commercial, industrial, and residential development. Thus the national land policy became incompatible with the land use planning policy and the rise in environmental awareness it reflected.     

基于土地伦理的土地可持续利用

土地利用/覆被变化研究已成为全球环境变化和可持续发展领域的核心问题.人类在土地利用实践中折射出人与人、人与自然之间的伦理道德关系.土地伦理观是从以人类为中心的利已主义,转变为包括人类在内的人地共荣发展观.土地可持续利用伦理的原则主要包括公平原则、生态原则和健康原则.土地可持续利用伦理建设策略主要有:(1)树立生态意识、合理利用土地;(2)正确处理人地关系,实现土地资源的可持续开发和利用;(3)逐步完善土地法规.     

我国农村土地承包经营权流转的现状、难点和建议

笔者从我国农村土地承包经营权流转的现状、存在的难点二方面进行探讨,提出农村土地承包经营权的制度变迁、建立与完善市场流转机制、慎重对待农村土地承包经营权流转等三点建议。     

近十年来北京市住宅用地出让与空间演变研究

研究目的:揭示2001年以来北京市住宅用地出让的空间分布与动态演变,探讨增量住宅用地空间演变带来的城市土地利用方式的变化。研究方法:欧氏距离分析法,核密度估计法。研究结果:近郊区住宅用地出让所占比重下降、中心区和远郊区比重上升;住宅出让高集聚区主要分布于近郊大型居住区和旧城区,中、低集聚区主要分布于远郊新城和交通廊道沿线的乡镇;长安街以南地区住宅用地外延扩张较典型,以北内部填充式发展较明显。研究结论:新时期北京市住宅用地存在旧城区有机更新、近郊区内部填充式发展和远郊区分散组团式发展三种方式,并非简单的圈层式蔓延。     

大比例尺土地变更调查引发的思考

针对当前大比例尺土地变更调查工作强度大、效率低、人工操作复杂的问题,采用个案研究和定性分析的方法,分析了土地变更调查的主要调查内容和影响大比例尺土地变更调查工作效率的关键环节;提出了对大比例尺土地变更调查地区可通过关联业务来控制日常用地管理信息的测绘精度,从而避免由测绘限差引起的影响土地变更调查效率的缝隙和碎面问题;国土资源管理部门应加强对变更软件开发的指导,从而有效降低由于技术与管理脱节而增加的变更工作量。     

差别化土地管理理论解释及政策体系建设

我国土地资源存在明显的空间异质性,若采取统一的管理模式必然导致土地资源错配和效率损失。[目的]探索精细化、差别化的土地管理模式,实现土地资源针对性、有效性管理,是促进土地资源集约节约利用、提高土地资源配置效率和利用效益的重要途径,也是土地供给侧改革的重要着力点。[方法]运用理论模型法和文献综述法对差别化土地管理原理和政策含义进行了阐述,构建了差别化土地管理政策体系,并完善了政策支撑体系。[结果]差别化土地管理是集时间、空间、地类和产业、部门等为一体的差别化国土管理模式;差别化土地管理目标是在提高土地资源利用效率的同时兼顾社会公平;差别化土地配置效率较普适性配置模式更高。[结论]可从建设用地差别化、产业供地差别化和用途管制差别化等方面构建差别化土地管理政策框架体系,从试点、补偿、监管等方面配套政策支撑体系,提高土地资源利用效率的同时,保障社会公平。     

Development stressors are stronger than protected area management: A case of the Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserve,Mexico

Evaluation of the management effectiveness of protected areas has become a global priority, especially in coastal zones, where essential services are threatened by land use pressures. To assess the effectiveness of a coastal protected area, we estimated the land-use change (LUC) within and outside of the Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserve (PCBR) and interviewed key stakeholders to identify the main stressors causing LUC. The native vegetation cover under the PCBR protection decreased by 65% over 24 years; whereas agriculture and livestock lands doubled, even within the core conservation areas of the PCBR. The greatest loss was in the flooded forest (48%), where the reduction was similar in and around the reserve. The effectiveness of reserve management was affected by drivers of land use change, which include agricultural and livestock enterprises that are run by government programs. Effective management of the PCBR has been undermined by poor management practices, limited capacity and resources, and inadequate zoning design. Protected areas and its surrounding landscapes could be considered to be natural experiments for future research, where high value land uses and conservation objectives coincide within coastal areas that will face a predicted sea level rise, more intense floods and higher temperatures.     

浙江省1996 — 2005年土地利用变化分析

研究目的：依据浙江省土地概查、土地详查、土地变更调查、土地更新调查成果,分析不同时段土地利用状况,构建浙江省1996 — 2005年“土地利用转移矩阵”,分析各种地类变化情况,为土地利用总体规划修编和实施“以图管地”新机制提供决策依据。研究方法：文献分析法,实证分析法。研究结论：1996 — 2005年,浙江省农业结构调整、生态退耕、农田基础设施建设累计占耕地减少面积的59.39%,城乡居民点及独立工矿、交通、水利等建设占用耕地占37.65%。浙江省优质耕地与快速城市化区域在空间分布上高度重合,必须科学地编制与实施省、市、县、乡4级土地利用总体规划,协调保护耕地与保障城乡建设用地需求间的关系,调控土地利用方向。     

The role of spatial planning in coastal management—A case study of Tuticorin coast (India)

The focus of coastal management in recent years has shifted from a sectoral plan to a holistic and integrated one. A key component of this integrated plan is spatial planning. This paper serves to highlight the role of spatial planning in coastal management by making use of a study done for the Tuticorin coast in India. A quantification of the land use/land cover changes in this region was studied along with the existing laws and policies governing the Indian coast with particular reference to Tuticorin, to determine their influence/impact on coastal land use/land cover. The results of the study show the disparity that exists between current land use practices and the laws that have been enforced to safeguard the coast. This can be overcome by means of implementing a more stable management plan that incorporates the spatial aspects of this coast, which has been presented.