Terrain and Geological Formation Crucial in Land Use and Land Cover Changes

Strategic Insights -

Research from the China Geology Survey has shown that terrain and geological formation are significant natural environmental factors that influence land use and land cover changes in the Danjiang River Basin, China. The study, published in the Journal of Mountain Science, analyzed the effect of terrain and geological formation on the spatial heterogeneity of land use in the region, finding that geological formation has the strongest influence on land use spatial patterns. The researchers also discovered that the areas of arable land and forestland in the Danjiang River Basin decreased between 2000 and 2020, while the areas of grassland, water areas, construction land, and unused land continuously increased.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that terrain and geological formation have a significant controlling effect on the spatial heterogeneity of land use in the Danjiang River Basin, China.
  • The areas of arable land and forestland in the Danjiang River Basin decreased by 10.5% and 12.3%, respectively, between 2000 and 2020, while the areas of grassland, water areas, construction land, and unused land continuously increased.
  • The researchers detected notable differences in the advantageous distribution characteristics of various land use types across different levels of influencing factors, with geological formation having the strongest influence on land use spatial patterns.
  • The comprehensive land use dynamics index was +0.09%, indicating a generally low level of land development in the region.
  • The study provides new geological evidence for natural resource management departments to conduct regional spatial planning, ecological and environmental protection and restoration, and land structure optimization and adjustment.

Statistics:

  • The areas of arable land in the Danjiang River Basin decreased by 10.5% between 2000 and 2020.
  • The areas of forestland in the Danjiang River Basin decreased by 12.3% between 2000 and 2020.
  • The comprehensive land use dynamics index was +0.09%, indicating a generally low level of land development in the region.
  • The areas of grassland, water areas, construction land, and unused land in the Danjiang River Basin continuously increased between 2000 and 2020.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from China Geology Survey in the Area of Environmental Factors Reported (Spatial Pattern Differentiation Effect of Land Use In the Danjiang River Basin Based On Terrain Factors and Geological Formation). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. October 17, 2025; p 1851.
  • China Geology Survey. Spatial Pattern Differentiation Effect of Land Use In the Danjiang River Basin Based On Terrain Factors and Geological Formation. Journal of Mountain Science, 2025.
  • Science Press. Journal of Mountain Science. 16 Donghuangchenggen North St, Beijing 100717, Peoples R China. (Springer - www.springer.com; Journal of Mountain Science - www.springerlink.com/content/1672-6316/)