Evaluating the Effects of Grain for Green policy through the landscape change: A Case Study in Gannan region, China

Abstract

Gannan region, an important ecological barrier in the Gan Jiang River basin, is a typical southern mountain-hill area in Jiangxi Province, China, and its ecological protection is of great significance. In this study, using data of 5-year intervals from 2000 to 2015, the landscape change in the Gannan region was investigated through the application of remote sensing, geographic information technology, and spatial statistical methods. The results show that (1) The landscape pattern of Gannan region tends to be fragmented and decentralized, the landscape shape tends to be complex, and the human interference becomes more difficult. (2) Forest is the main land type in the Gannan region and decreased over the 15 years of investigation from 3094200 ha to 3068200 ha. (3) The area of farmland was rising before 2010, and then drops rapidly. Grassland shows the opposite trend to farmland, which shows the effectiveness of the Grain for Green policy. This study provides a theoretical basis and a decision support mechanism for the rational layout and protection of ecological land in Gannan region. The results could lead to improved ecological barrier functions of southern hilly region.