Open AccessReshaping the Sustainable Geographical Pattern: A Major Function Zoning Model and Its Applications in China
Author(s) -
Fan Jie,
Wang Yafei,
Wang Chuansheng,
Chen Tian,
Jin Fengjun,
Zhang Wenzhong,
Li Lijuan,
Xu Yong,
Dai Erfu,
Tao Anjun,
Zhou Kan,
Li Jiuyi,
Tang Qing,
Chen Dong,
Guo Rui
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
earth's future
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.641
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2328-4277
DOI - 10.1029/2018ef001077
Subject(s) - zoning , urbanization , china , geography , sustainable development , blueprint , environmental resource management , arable land , sustainability , land use , downscaling , environmental planning , environmental protection , environmental science , civil engineering , ecology , economic growth , engineering , meteorology , economics , archaeology , biology , mechanical engineering , precipitation , agriculture
The imbalance between human activities and Earth's natural surface adversely affects the sustainability of the Earth system. From an understanding of the suitability of surface functions and potential ramifications of policy decisions, this study proposes a sustainable geographical pattern. It introduces a national‐to‐provincial downscaling approach to optimizing a national‐scale zoning scheme that covers 60%–80% of land development and protection functions in China and to creating a major function zoning model. Taking China as the case study area, the following function zones are identified: urbanization zones, food security zones, ecological security zones, and heritage protection zones. This study then proposes a three‐dimensional index system and algorithm, develops individual and integrated assessments for the major functions of the land grid, and produces national‐scale and provincial‐scale major function zoning schemes consisting of county‐level administrative cells, the first schemes to create a blueprint for a sustainable national land pattern in China through optimized convergence. In total, 5% of China's land area is covered by urbanized zones, 28% by food security zones, 55% by ecological security zones, and 12% by heritage protection zones. In the future, there will be 805 urbanization administrative units, 790 food security counties, 780 ecological security counties, and 8,151 heritage protection zones. The scheme created using the model developed in this study is 95% consistent with the final scheme implemented by China's central government, and it has a high degree of robustness and precision. It can serve as a reference for scientific research and decision‐making concerning sustainable development in developing countries.