The sustainable utilization and conservation of the cropland system have significant implications for regional and national food security and social stability.
Researchers:
Rui Sun, Brett Bryan, Xiaobin Jin, Yinkang Zhou
Summary: Advancing scientific knowledge in ecological conservation demands of cropland is a critical step towards transitioning from cropland conservation to cropland systematic conservation, promoting coordinated development of food and ecological security, and realising sustainable development. We propose a research hypothesis that enables efficient and coordinated management of the ecological and productive functions of cropland while ensuring its food production capacity. We develop a framework to establish a research pathway for cropland systematic conservation in Jiangsu Province, an economically developed area, including theory analysis, characteristic identification, mechanism analysis, and path exploration. The objectives of the project are to 1) establish a global optimization strategy that balances food production and ecological conservation of cropland; 2) validate the scientific hypothesis of cropland systematic conservation; and 3) summarize the feedback mechanisms and policy implications. The research findings will provide theoretical references and support for food security and ecological civilization construction in economically developed areas and contribute to a sustainable cropland conservation system.