Weng, HuaikaiChang, YaxuanDai, YongwuZhang, LimingZhang, DongHuang, XiaoxunLiu, YaqunGuan, YanlongHeiskanen, Janne2025-09-082025-09-082025-10-01Weng, H, Chang, Y, Dai, Y, Zhang, L, Zhang, D, Huang, X, Liu, Y, Guan, Y & Heiskanen, J 2025, 'County-level cropland fragmentation in China (1990–2023): a bidirectional transformation perspective', Environmental Research Letters, vol. 20, no. 10, 104021. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ae0050RIS: urn:BDD5A96858167236CE9D568660A5DF3Fhttp://hdl.handle.net/10138/600647Cropland fragmentation (CLF) studies often overlook bidirectional land transformations. This study reassesses county-level CLF in China (1990–2023) using a 30 m-resolution Landsat-based dataset and a novel Modified Landscape Division Index to capture both cropland gains (transfer-in) and losses (transfer-out). We find pronounced CLF increases in urbanized plains, notably the Huang–Huai–Hai Plain (6.13 × 10−2 y), Northeast China Plain (3.69 × 10−2 y), and Sichuan Basin (4.97 × 10−2 y), driven primarily by urbanization (39.5% contribution to CLF from impervious surfaces). Conversely, cropland gains from forests and grasslands mitigate fragmentation, with forest-to-cropland conversion reducing CLF by 40.3%. Counties with CLF increases due to losses outnumber those with decreases by 5.5 times. Regression analysis reveals strong correlations between area changes and CLF (p < 0.01). These insights are relevant for urbanizing regions globally, such as Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the need for policies like zoning regulations and reforestation incentives to balance urban expansion with cropland restoration for sustainable land use and food security.Cropland fragmentation (CLF) studies often overlook bidirectional land transformations. This study reassesses county-level CLF in China (1990-2023) using a 30 m-resolution Landsat-based dataset and a novel Modified Landscape Division Index to capture both cropland gains (transfer-in) and losses (transfer-out). We find pronounced CLF increases in urbanized plains, notably the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain (6.13 x 10(-2) y), Northeast China Plain (3.69 x 10(-2) y), and Sichuan Basin (4.97 x 10(-2) y), driven primarily by urbanization (39.5% contribution to CLF from impervious surfaces). Conversely, cropland gains from forests and grasslands mitigate fragmentation, with forest-to-cropland conversion reducing CLF by 40.3%. Counties with CLF increases due to losses outnumber those with decreases by 5.5 times. Regression analysis reveals strong correlations between area changes and CLF (p < 0.01). These insights are relevant for urbanizing regions globally, such as Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the need for policies like zoning regulations and reforestation incentives to balance urban expansion with cropland restoration for sustainable land use and food security.11engcc_byinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessGeosciencesModified Landscape Division Index (MLDI)Bidirectional transformationcropland fragmentation (CLF)Sustainable land useUrbanizationLetteropenAccess256d17f9-55d1-45a3-b14c-1fcdf80a4487001567090000001