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Agricultural Transformation and Its Impact on Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being in Peri-Urban Areas: The Case of Xi’an, China

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  • Zhongxue Zhou

    (School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China)

  • Xiaofang Liu

    (School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China)

  • Bijun Zheng

    (School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China)

  • Guy M. Robinson

    (Department of Geography, Environment and Population, School of Social Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
    Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, 16-21 Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EP, UK)

  • Bingjie Song

    (Department of Geography, Environment and Population, School of Social Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia)

Abstract

There is a gap in understanding the relationships between the transformation of agricultural landscapes, ecosystem services and human well-being in the peri-urban fringe of major cities worldwide. In this paper, we use semi-structured interviews, perception surveys, social surveys and field mapping to examine linkages between agricultural and landscape transition, ecosystem services and human well-being in five sample villages in Xi’an metropolitan zone, China. The results indicate that: (1) Agricultural change has increased landscape fragmentation, with a shift from grain to more profitable horticulture and nursery production. The farming system is more diversified and exhibits a multifunctional character. (2) This transformation has had a significant impact on the character of the agroecosystem. (3) The agricultural transformation towards greater multifunctionality has increased the supply of ecosystem services, including tourism-related activities, potentially improving human well-being. (4) Different combinations of activities in the sample villages were evaluated with respect to a well-being index, indicating the importance of combining horticulture and tourism. (5) Linkages identified between agricultural transformation, ecosystem services and human well-being may have significant implications for potential approaches within future studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhongxue Zhou & Xiaofang Liu & Bijun Zheng & Guy M. Robinson & Bingjie Song, 2022. "Agricultural Transformation and Its Impact on Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being in Peri-Urban Areas: The Case of Xi’an, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-25, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:1:p:110-:d:721268
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karen C Seto & Michail Fragkias & Burak Güneralp & Michael K Reilly, 2011. "A Meta-Analysis of Global Urban Land Expansion," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(8), pages 1-9, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Song, Bingjie & Robinson, Guy M. & Bardsley, Douglas K. & Xue, Yanlong & Wang, Bing, 2023. "Multifunctional agriculture in a peri-urban fringe: Chinese farmers’ responses to shifts in policy and changing socio-economic conditions," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    2. Md. Mamunur Rahman & Jakia Sultana & Md. Ahsanul Haque Swapon & Tofayel Ahamed & Jahidul Hassan, 2022. "Diversity And Functions Of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) In Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Campus Of Bangladesh," Tropical Agroecosystems (TAEC), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 3(1), pages 27-33, September.
    3. Zheng Zang & Yuqing Zhang & Xu Xi, 2022. "Analysis of the Gross Ecosystem Product—Gross Domestic Product Synergistic States, Evolutionary Process, and Their Regional Contribution to the Chinese Mainland," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-14, May.

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