Rural transition in the loess hilly and gully region: From the perspective of “flowing” cropland

The loess hilly and gully region of China supports a fragile ecosystem that has been subject to serious water loss and soil erosion in recent decades. In response, ongoing soil and water conservation and ecological restoration efforts have been conducted. A review of the region's development history indicates that the utilization mode of cropland in rural areas played an important role in the course of soil and water conservation and socioeconomic development. As a representative area, this study evaluated the status of the Yangjuangou catchment of Liqu Town, Baota District, Shaanxi Province. The dynamic processes, driving factors, variation characteristics, and intrinsic mechanisms of changes in cropland use since the 1980s were analyzed using remote sensing and participatory interview survey data. The results showed that changes in cropland use in Yangjuangou catchment occurred in four stages, including slope cropland utilization stage (1985–1998), the Grain for Green Project stage (1999–2007), agricultural structure adjustment stage (2008–2012), and cropland abandonment stage (2013–2017). These changes in cropland use were driven by policy, economic, socio-cultural, and environmental factors and showed certain characteristics. Specifically, cropland exhibited a “core-margin" funnel-shaped pattern in vertical space, with its changes tending to “flow” toward the core; its utilization intensity generally increased, and the area of intensive utilization and intensive elements gradually shifted. In recent years, spatial patterns gradually developed a sustainable “ecology-production" spatial pattern and abandoned cropland exhibited “contagion” spatial patterns. Finally, based on the behavior mechanisms of farmers and government, we found that the driving force for changes in cropland has changed over time. Initially, food demand on farmers and the goal of ecological safety promoted by the government were dominant. But more recently, the drivers have changed to development demand on farmers and the equal government objectives of promoting ecological safety, rural development, and food security. This study provides a microcosmic perspective on understanding the process and rules of changes in cropland use in the loess hilly and gully region. It also helps to understand the rural transition, providing a reference for developing rural development strategies and policies in this region.