Work

Evolution Characteristics of Agricultural Planting Structure in Northeast China (1950–1980) and Implications for Agricultural Carbon Emission Estimation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Agricultural carbon emissions, a key part of terrestrial carbon emissions, affect global carbon accounting, with historical data scarcity adding to calculation difficulty. Exploring agricultural planting structure evolution can supplement historical data and improve ac-counting accuracy. Based on local chronicles and statistics, this study reconstructs Northeast China’s planting structure of six major crops during the 1950s–1980s via threshold classification and transfer matrix methods. Results show high-carbon crops (corn in particular) expanded notably, while low-carbon crops (especially sorghum) de-clined. Planting patterns varied regionally, with the most complex structural changes oc-curring in the 1960s–1970s. Agricultural carbon emissions fluctuated in phases; the planting scale effect dominated emission growth, the intensity effect inhibited it, and the structural effect played a heterogeneous auxiliary role. This study provides a historical basis for low-carbon agricultural planning and differentiated carbon reduction policies.

Source: Earth

DOI: 10.3390/earth7020047

Authors: Zhenxin Xu, Yu Ye

Institution: Beijing Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,448