Evaluation of the sustainable land use status of the North China Plain

Abstract

The North China Plain is one of the most important production areas for wheat and maize in China, and also has the densest agricultural population in China. How to use and develop the limited land resources reasonably, and improve and protect them, have become issues of major concern. This paper is based on sustainability theory, reviewing the fundamental principles of sustainability, and developing an index system with which to evaluate the sustainability status of land use. We also use this method to evaluate the land-use status of the North China Plain and to analyze current factors affecting sustainable land use in this area. In addition, we propose a specific method for evaluating sustainable land use.

Keywords:

• sustainable land-use status
• index system
• evaluation
• the North China Plain

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40771122) and the National Advanced Technology Development Plan of China (863) (No. 2006AA10Z271). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Professor Xu Hao (Dean of Hebei Agricultural University, College of Resources and Environment) for his intensive work to offer invaluable instruction and contribute to the completion of this thesis.