Exploring an integrated framework for “dynamic-mechanism-clustering” of multiple cultivated land functions in the Yangtze River Delta region

Coordinating multiple cultivated land functions (CLFs) has become a key challenge for land system science. Identifying the dynamic evolution and mechanisms of multiple CLFs will help to formulate targeted cultivated land management policy for achieving the sustainable development of highly urbanized areas. This study quantified four primary CLFs, i.e., agricultural production function (APF), social security function (SSF), ecological service function (ESF), and landscape aesthetic function (LAF) at the prefecture-level cities of the Yangtze River Delta region and then explored an integrated framework for “dynamic-mechanism-clustering” of these CLFs. The results showed that four primary CLFs varied substantially across the prefecture-level cities and presented significant changes over time. The slope has a great negative impact on multiple CLFs. Precipitation was negatively correlated with APF and ESF, rural residents’ income and distance to the road showed negative correlations with SSF and LAF. The areas covered by large-scale contiguous cultivated land presented the strongest cultivated land multifunctionality, whereas the highly urbanized areas and the areas with considerable forest land showed weak cultivated land multifunctionality. We suggested that decision-makers should consider the underlying drivers of multiple CLFs for better cultivated land management and promoting the sustainable use of cultivated land.