Farmland protection policies and rapid urbanization in China: A case study for Changzhou City

[Display omitted] •We analyzed the farmland fragmentation in a developed area with rapid urbanization of China.•The theories of ecology were cited to the driving forces analysis.•We analyzed the driving forces from multiple scales and different spatial angles.•Policy is the key factor to prevent farmland loss and fragmentation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of farmland loss and fragmentation and to explore factors that may influence that loss and fragmentation. The study examined changes to farmland in a context of rapid urbanization in Changzhou City, China. It also examined farmland changes in the suburban areas outside the city and in the exurban regions. Time series data from 2004 to 2011 were used to conduct spatial analysis using landscape indices and to perform a redundancy analysis. The results found that farmland was steadily declining during the study period. Farmland also became increasingly fragmented and it moved from low elevation and a gentle slope terrain to higher elevation and a steep slope terrain while its center of gravity generally moved northward. China’s farmland protection policy, agricultural production level, and terrain conditions contributed most to farmland loss and fragmentation in the city. Farmland loss and fragmentation in the suburbs and exurbs were influenced mostly by prime farmland area, total population, and per capita net income of rural residents. To control farmland loss and fragmentation, laws regarding its conversion to built-up environments should be enforced. China’s overall land-use plan and laws of farmland protection are presently the best ways to effectively protect farmland loss and fragmentation.