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July 21, 2026Agriculture0 citationsOpen Access

Spatially Varying Relationships Between Cropland Fragmentation and Water Use Efficiency in Northern China

YCYao CuiWuhan University HSHongrui SunNingxia University YSYongsheng ShiNingxia University

Key Points

The study aims to explore the relationship between cropland fragmentation and water use efficiency (WUE) in northern China from 2005 to 2020.
Analyzed cropland fragmentation using a 'size–shape–configuration' framework from 2005 to 2020
Applied a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model to identify spatial relationships between fragmentation and WUE
Evaluated data across 1027 analysis units
Over half of northern China showed intensified cropland fragmentation, with low fragmentation in the North and Northeast China Plains
The mean WUE increased across the analysis, from 0.962 to 1.071, though 220 units faced a decline
FI_config negatively correlated with WUE, while FI_size and FI_shape showed positive associations, primarily in the North China Plain

Abstract

Improving water use efficiency (WUE) is a crucial approach to addressing agricultural water scarcity and promoting the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. Although extensive research has been conducted on the factors associated with cropland WUE, the relationship between cropland fragmentation and WUE remains poorly understood. This study focused on northern China and employed an integrated “size–shape–configuration” framework to measure cropland fragmentation from 2005 to 2020. A geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was then applied to analyze the spatially varying relationships between cropland fragmentation and WUE. The results showed that over half of northern China experienced intensified cropland fragmentation. Noticeable spatial heterogeneity was observed, with relatively low fragmentation in the North China Plain and the Northeast China Plain and higher levels in the topographically complex northwestern region. Throughout the study period, the size-based fragmentation index (FIₛize) consistently exhibited higher mean values than the shape-based (FIₛhape) and configuration-based (FIconfig) indices. The mean cropland WUE across the 1027 analysis units increased from 0. 962 to 1. 071, although 220 units—mainly distributed in the three northeastern provinces—experienced a decline. Among the analysis units with statistically significant local coefficients, FIconfig was predominantly negatively associated with WUE, whereas FIₛize and FIₛhape were predominantly positively associated with WUE, with the positive associations mainly concentrated in the North China Plain. Moreover, FIconfig exhibited larger absolute local coefficient magnitudes and greater spatial variability than the other two fragmentation dimensions. Environmental factors also showed distinct spatial associations with WUE, with annual precipitation and NDVI being predominantly positively associated with WUE, whereas soil erodibility and slope were mainly negatively associated. These findings highlight the need for region-specific management of cropland landscape patterns. This study provides preliminary quantitative evidence of the relationships between cropland fragmentation and WUE, offering valuable insights for improving WUE and promoting sustainable agricultural management.

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