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Analysis of Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Factors of China’s Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Fei Ju

    (College of Art Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Rui Yang

    (College of Art Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Chun Yang

    (School of Design, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China)

Abstract

China’s Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (China-NIAHS) are agricultural systems with deep historical and cultural roots that exhibit temporal continuity and spatial heterogeneity in their formation and distribution. As modern and industrialized agriculture have developed, traditional agricultural systems are facing unprecedented challenges and pressures. This study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution and influencing factors of 196 China-NIAHS sites, categorized into five categories. Using spatial analysis techniques and Geographical Detectors, this study identifies key natural, socioeconomic, and cultural drivers shaping their distribution. The results reveal a predominantly clustered spatial distribution of China-NIAHS, centered around the Yangtze River Basin, with significant influences from population density, tourism development, and industrialization. Historical analysis highlights a west-to-east and northward migration of agricultural activity, driven by political stability and technological advancements. Further findings indicate that the spatial distribution of China-NIAHS is primarily determined by population density, tourism development, and river network density. Population density plays a pivotal role in heritage preservation, tourism development generates economic benefits and facilitates cultural dissemination, and river network density supports the formation and sustainability of heritage sites. Conversely, urbanization and economic development have limited influence, emphasizing the need to prioritize socioeconomic and natural factors in conservation strategies. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of China-NIAHS, offering valuable insights for sustainable heritage conservation and the strategic integration of natural and socioeconomic factors into modern agricultural policies. These findings deepen the understanding of China-NIAHS, highlighting their role in ecological and cultural sustainability while supporting value assessment, region-specific protection, and sustainable utilization strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Fei Ju & Rui Yang & Chun Yang, 2025. "Analysis of Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Factors of China’s Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-36, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:2:p:221-:d:1571922
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hiroyuki Kajihara & Su Zhang & Wonhee You & Qingwen Min, 2018. "Concerns and Opportunities around Cultural Heritage in East Asian Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Guilin Liu & Domenico M. Doronzo, 2020. "A Novel Approach to Bridging Physical, Cultural, and Socioeconomic Indicators with Spatial Distributions of Agricultural Heritage Systems (AHS) in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Xuan Guo & Qingwen Min, 2023. "Analysis of Landscape Patterns Changes and Driving Factors of the Guangdong Chaoan Fenghuangdancong Tea Cultural System in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Hoogesteger, Jaime & Bolding, Alex & Sanchis-Ibor, Carles & Veldwisch, Gert Jan & Venot, Jean-Philippe & Vos, Jeroen & Boelens, Rutgerd, 2023. "Communality in farmer managed irrigation systems: Insights from Spain, Ecuador, Cambodia and Mozambique," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    5. Pommerening, Arne & Szmyt, Janusz & Zhang, Gongqiao, 2020. "A new nearest-neighbour index for monitoring spatial size diversity: The hyperbolic tangent index," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 435(C).
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