Evaluation and Zoning of Cultivated Land Quality Based on a Space–Function–Environment

Abstract

The multi-function characteristics of cultivated land have been widely recognized by researchers in China and globally, and it is important to provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for future research on the evaluation and zoning of cultivated land quality based on a space–function–environment perspective. Spearman rank correlation analysis and cluster analysis were used to categorize cultivated land by its quality. This study developed a theoretical evaluation framework of the space–function–environment quality for cultivated land and constructed a total of 23 indicators of cultivated land quality in three dimensions. The framework was applied to a case study that evaluated and zoned cultivated land quality based on a space–function–environment perspective. The results showed that the synergies and tradeoffs among spatial quality, functional quality and environmental quality, and the influences of the three on cultivated land quality are mutually restricted and act together. The cultivated land in Qujiang District can be divided into five types of areas according to the cold and hot spot analysis results of the secondary indexes of cultivated land spatial quality, functional quality and environmental quality. Based on these results, different protection schemes are proposed for different cultivated land qualities.