Abstract:
Spatial mismatch has posed a serious threat on the agricultural production. The spatial layout of the farmland can be expected to rationally optimize, according to the local conditions. The high quality of farmland can also be obtained for the food security in the sustainable agriculture. However, only a few studies have been focused on the optimization of the spatial layout in the farmland-orchard mismatch areas. It is still lacking on the landscape pattern of the farmland at the time of the replacement. This study aims to implement the quantitative analysis of the landscape pattern before and after optimization. A case study was also taken from the farmland-orchard mismatch area in Southeast of Jiangxi province, China. The recoverable orchard was incorporated into the object of the layout optimization and replacement. The current problem of farmland-orchard mismatch was solved to optimize the layout, according to the logic of the identification-screening-replacement. A framework was then constructed in the farmland-orchard areas. The game theory combination empowerment, GIS spatial analysis and the landscape pattern index were finally utilized to optimize the layout of the farmland-orchard mismatch area. The results show that: 1) The total area of characteristically disadvantaged land in the study area was 3332.33 hm
2, with the fewer Ⅰ class land. Among them, the highest proportion of Ⅲ class land in farmland was 33.99%, while the highest proportion of Ⅳ class land in the recoverable orchard was 25.89%; There was the great increase in the areas of Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ class farmland after the layout optimization. While there was the decrease in the areas of Ⅳ, Ⅴ, and Ⅵ class farmland. The average class of farmland was improved by 0.63, indicating the high quality level of farmland; 2) The study areas were delineated by the preliminary transfer area of 6253.04 hm
2 of farmland, the remediation area of 2914.30 hm
2, and the final transfer area of 3338.74 hm
2. According to the area balance, 3,341.38 hm
2 of the replacement area was designated from 3,511.37 hm
2 of farmland; 3) The farmland landscape pattern was improved after the optimization. There was the great increase in the degree of farmland contiguity, regularity and aggregation, whereas, the degree of finesse was reduced. The farming conditions were also promoted for the economic benefits. At the same time, the number of the sloping farmland above 6° was reduced, whereas, there was the increase in the area of orchard above 6°. The water retention capacity of the farmland was improved to fully utilize the soil/water conservation and erosion control of the fruit tree, indicating the high ecological benefits. 4) The spatial layout of the farmland-orchard mismatch area should be optimized with the local conditions and decision making on the development needs of each subregion. The finding can provide a strong reference to protect the regional farmland, food security and high-quality development. A typical sample can be obtained for the layout optimization of farmland-orchard mismatch areas.