Spatio-temporal pattern evolution and regulatory zoning of suitability for farmland scale utilization in China based on multi-source data

This study focuses on the scientific problem of whether farmland scale utilization is feasible in China and which areas of farmland are suitable for scale utilization. Based on multi-source data, we adopted TOPSIS and Hotspot analysis models to quantitatively evaluate and reveal the spatio-temporal evolution law of the suitability for farmland scale utilization in China over the past 30 years, and then used matrix grouping method to carried out the regulatory zoning. The findings suggested that: (1) The spatio-temporal differentiation of suitability for farmland scale utilization in China was significant from 1990 to 2020, 68 % of counties and 81 % of farmland resources were suitable for scale utilization. (2) In terms of spatial pattern, the suitability showed the distribution characteristics of high in the north and low in the south, high in the east and low in the west. In terms of time change, the farmland endowment suitability decreased slightly over the past 30 years, the natural environment suitability was basically stable, the socio-economic suitability increased steadily, and the comprehensive suitability showed a continuous and slow upward trend. (3) The priority development zone, suitable development zone and remediation regulate zone for farmland scale utilization in China accounted for 29.82 %, 31.19 % and 38.99 %, respectively. The regulatory zoning indicated that the suitability level of farmland scale utilization in China needed to be further improved. This study can provide scientific reference for the optimal allocation and utilization mode adjustment of farmland resources in different regions of China, which is of great valuable for promoting the sustainable utilization of farmland resources and ensuring food security in China.