Changes of multiple cropping in Huang-Huai-Hai agricultural region, China

doi:10.1007/s11442-018-1537-2

Abstract

Abstract:

Multiple cropping index (MCI) is the ratio of total sown area and cropland area in a region, which represents the regional time intensity of planting crops. Multiple cropping systems have effectively improved the utilization efficiency and production of cropland by increasing cropping frequency in one year. Meanwhile, it has also significantly altered biogeochemical cycles. Therefore, exploring the spatio-temporal dynamics of multiple cropping intensity is of great significance for ensuring food and ecological security. In this study, MCI of Huang-Huai-Hai agricultural region with intensive cropping practices was extracted based on a cropping intensity mapping algorithm using MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) time series at 500-m spatial resolution and 8-day time intervals. Then the physical characteristics and landscape pattern of MCI trends were analyzed from 2000-2012. Results showed that MCI in Huang-Huai-Hai agricultural region has increased from 152% to 156% in the 12 years. Topography is a primary factor in determining the spatial pattern dynamics of MCI, which is more stable in hilly area than in plain area. An increase from 158% to 164% of MCI occurred in plain area while there was almost no change in hilly area with single cropping. The most active region of MCI change was the intersection zone between the hilly area and plain area. In spatial patterns, landscape of multiple cropping systems tended to be homogenized reflected by a reduction in the degree of fragmentation and an increase in the degree of concentration of cropland with the same cropping system.

Key words: Huang-Huai-Hai agricultural region, MCI, spatio-temporal dynamics, MODIS, EVI, landscape pattern

Huimin YAN, Fang LIU, Zhongen NIU, Fengxue GU, Yanzhao YANG. Changes of multiple cropping in Huang-Huai-Hai agricultural region, China[J].Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2018, 28(11): 1685-1699.

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Sub-region	Area of cropland (×10⁴ ha)	Proportion of cropland (%)	Mean annual precipitation (mm)	≥10℃ accumulated temperature (℃)	Proportion of plain area (%)	Proportion of hilly area (%)
Piedmonts of Taihang and Yanshan Mountains	535.61	15.13	600-900	3500-4900	66.69	33.31
Heilonggang lower-lying plain	462.36	13.06	600-750	3400-4500	99.96	0.04
Low plain in northwest Shandong and north Henan	387.20	10.94	700-900	2600-4800	99.68	0.32
Shandong hilly region	749.54	21.17	800-850	3500-4200	45.66	54.34
Nanyang basin of the Huang-Huai Plain	1405.70	39.70	900-1100	3800-5400	92.82	7.18

Sub-region	Average MCI (%)			Proportion of cropland (%)
Sub-region	2000	2012	Change	Increased MCI	Decreased MCI	Stable MCI
Piedmonts of Taihang and Yanshan Mountains	142.07	137.27	-4.8	15.95	24.54	59.52
Heilonggang lower-lying plain	122.29	121.37	-0.92	16.92	21.71	61.37
Low plain in northwest Shandong and north Henan	165.47	173.57	8.1	29.41	12.42	58.18
Shandong hilly region	126.52	126.22	-0.3	18.43	19.82	61.74
Nanyang basin of the Huang-Huai Plain	177.97	188.89	10.92	33.57	9.91	56.52

Sub-region	Proportion of increased MCI			Proportion of decreased MCI
Sub-region	Proportion of increased MCI	Plain area	Hilly area	Proportion of decreased MCI	Plain area	Hilly area
Piedmonts of Taihang and Yanshan Mountains	9.96	79.16	20.84	23.63	78.32	21.68
Heilonggang lower-lying plain	9.13	99.99	0.01	18.08	99.97	0.03
Low plain in northwest Shandong and north Henan	13.00	99.65	0.35	8.47	99.85	0.15
Shandong hilly region	15.71	66.78	33.22	26.06	63.52	36.48
Nanyang basin of the Huang-Huai Plain	52.19	91.22	8.78	23.76	90.08	9.92

Sub-region	Plain area			Hilly area
Sub-region	2000	2012	Change	2000	2012	Change
Piedmonts of Taihang and Yanshan Mountains	157.12	151.75	-5.37	116.15	112.50	-3.65
Heilonggang lower-lying plain	122.59	121.79	-0.80	100.00	95.44	-4.56
Low plain in northwest Shandong and north Henan	166.15	174.31	8.16	178.41	190.72	12.31
Shandong hilly region	145.61	145.18	-0.43	111.76	111.77	0.02
Nanyang basin of the Huang-Huai Plain	180.47	191.13	10.66	151.33	165.86	14.53

Buffer zones	Plain area			Piedmont plain area			Hilly area
Buffer zones	Decreased MCI	Stable MCI	Increased MCI	Decreased MCI	Stable MCI	Increased MCI	Decreased MCI	Stable MCI	Increased MCI
10 km	15.39	57.47	27.15	20.23	52.56	27.21	14.74	68.80	16.46
20 km	14.85	58.72	26.43	19.46	52.26	28.27	14.74	68.80	16.46
30 km	14.56	59.53	25.91	18.79	52.77	28.44	14.74	68.80	16.46