With the rapid development of urbanization and industrialization in China, the expansion of construction land and irrational utilization of cultivated land have led to issues such as cultivated land marginalization, extensive use, non-grain conversion, and non-agriculturalization. These issues are a major threat to sustainable agricultural development, but existing research suffers from limitations including failure to assess the multifunctionality of cultivated land (MCL) from the perspective of sustainable agricultural development. This study constructed an agricultural production function (APF)-social security function (SSF)-ecological maintenance function (EMF)-landscape aesthetic function (LAF) classification system. Using this comprehensive evaluation model, the MCL values for typical provinces in southwestern mountainous areas of China (Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan) were calculated in detail, and their spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics were explored. Concurrently, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, geographically weighted regression (GWR) and redundancy model were used to deeply explore the relationships among cultivated land functions and their influencing factors. The results showed three important points. (1) Over the past two decades, the comprehensive values and four sub-functional values of cultivated land in southwestern mountainous areas have shown increasing trends in the order of SSF > EMF > LAF > APF. The values and rates of change of each sub-functional value show obvious spatial variation. However, the spatial gap in cultivated land functions has adverse effects on sustainable agricultural development. (2) There are clear correlations between each pair of the four major functions of cultivated land during the study period, and the number of results reaching significance among the six correlations between the four main cultivated land functions increased significantly from 2000 to 2020. Simultaneously, there are noticeable spatiotemporal differences in the trade-offs and synergies among the MCLs. (3) The development of MCL is most significantly influenced by socioeconomic factors such as the per capita net income of rural residents. Therefore, formulating reasonable land protection policies is imperative for promoting the sustainable development of agriculture. The results of this study can provide guidance for the rational layout and coordinated development of MCL space, for promoting sustainable agricultural development and ensuring food security.

Rapid population growth, industrialization, and urbanization are driving an increasing demand for land in various industries, which is reducing the available cultivated land resources. This study used the Land-use Dynamic Degree Model and Geo-Detector to explore the spatial and temporal variations in cultivated land resources and the driving factors of cultivated land changes in Anhui Province from 2009 to 2018, using data on cultivated land area and socio-economic indicators. The findings showed reductions in both the total cultivated land area and the per capita cultivated land area in Anhui Province from 2009 to 2018. Most prefecture-level cities experienced reductions in their cultivated land area, with only a few showing increases. All prefecture-level cities except Wuhu City showed decreasing trends in per capita cultivated land area. The changes in the cultivated land area in Anhui Province have been influenced by various socio-economic factors. The impacts of interaction factors were more significant than those of any single factor during the study period. Among these interaction factors, the regional economic structure, level of agricultural technology, state of agricultural production, status of rural development, condition of the rural labor force, and governmental investment and regulation were shown to be crucial and prioritized. These factors significantly contributed to the variations in cultivated land area within Anhui Province. Therefore, balancing the relationship between economic growth and cultivated land preservation, especially strictly implementing cultivated land protection policies, is significantly beneficial for achieving sustainable socio-economic development.

Understanding and managing the changing landscape of our planet requires analyzing land use and land cover (LULC) transitions. This study combines remote sensing data and GIS analysis to uncover the intricate patterns and drivers behind these transitions. By integrating GIS analysis, we identify factors such as urbanization, agricultural expansion, deforestation, and natural resource management contributing to these changes. Accurate data preprocessing and calibration are emphasized to reduce errors and uncertainties in LULC maps. The study covers the period from 2017 to 2022, utilizing digitized LULC maps created with GIS tools and satellite data interpretation, specifically Sentinel-2 images. The landscape was classified into seven land cover types: agricultural land, built-up areas, barren or degraded land, flooded vegetation areas, forests, vegetation or shrub-covered areas, and waterbodies. Findings revealed a decrease of 1063.73 km² in barren land between 2017 and 2022. Agricultural land expanded by 228.93 km², forest land increased by 632.90 km², and waterbodies grew by 33.05 km². These changes suggest a conversion of areas likely influenced by the high intensity of rainfall between 2017 and 2022, leading to notable ecological consequences such as reduced soil erosion and improved biodiversity protection. The study's results have significant implications for land management, environmental protection, and sustainable development. The extensive analysis of spatial and temporal data equips policymakers, urban planners, and researchers with crucial knowledge to make well-informed decisions. This research provides a solid basis for monitoring and managing LULC transitions, offering valuable methodologies and insights to promote a resilient and harmonious coexistence between human activities and the environment.