China's Cultivated Land Decreasing Rapidly, Threatening Food Security.
China's cultivated land has been changing due to economic development. From 1996 to 2004, 9.3% of cultivated land was converted to other types, while 2.93% increased. Overall, 12.24% of cultivated land changed during this period. Farmland turning into forest or grassland caused the decrease, while land exploitation and agricultural changes led to increases. Urban construction, especially in developed regions, is taking over cultivated land, affecting food security. It's important to use land resources efficiently to support China's economic growth.