Functional transition of cultivated ecosystems: Underlying mechanisms and policy implications in China

The ecological sustainability of cultivated land use is a major challenge for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals . However, less attention has been paid to the ecological sustainability of cultivated land use (CLU) from the perspective of the functional transition of cultivated ecosystems (FTCE). Moreover, knowledge about the underlying mechanisms of the FTCE has been very limited to date. The aim of this study was to bridge this gap, taking the Guangdong province in China as the case-study area. A method for assessing cultivated ecosystem functions was presented based on the connotation, integrating the components, structure, and sustainability of cultivated ecosystems, and the ecological process of CLU. According to the theoretical framework of a U-curve for the FTCE presented in this study, the FTCE referring to a shift from rapid consumption to recovery growth was identified using univariate analysis and panel data regression methods. The underlying mechanisms for the FTCE are concluded as induced substitution of agricultural production, involving agricultural input substitution, crop substitution, and land-use substitution. To improve the FTCE and further promote the ecological sustainability of CLU, it is important to encourage farmers to maximize the labor productivity in land use. Further, specific policies are proposed to control these three aspects of substitution. The findings and suggestions of this study are significant for China and other regions to promote the ecological sustainability of CLU. This study has made valuable progress compared with previous studies on land-use transition because of the integrated perspective of functional transition related to ecological sustainability. • We present a theoretical framework of functional transition of cultivated ecosystems (FTCE). • The FTCE is idendified as a U-shaped relationship between cultivated ecosystem functions and GDP per capita. • Underlying mechanisms for the FTCE are induced substitutions of agricultural inputs, crops, and land-use. • Maximizing labor productivity in land use is important for improving the FTCE.