Urban sprawl in Guangzhou threatens farmland and fragments landscape patterns.
Rapid urbanization in Guangzhou, China has led to significant changes in land use over the past two decades. By using GIS and remote sensing technology, researchers found that urban land has increased while farmland has decreased. The main drivers of change were the conversion of rural land to non-agricultural use and the redevelopment of low-efficiency land. The fragmentation of landscape patterns also increased initially but improved later due to defined urban development areas, the growth of small towns into urban centers, and the establishment of greenways. Overall, the study shows how human activities impact land use and highlights the importance of sustainable urban development.