A1 Journal article (refereed)
A multi-criteria evaluation system for arable land resource assessment (2020)

Li, F., Liu, W., Lu, Z., Mao, L., & Xiao, Y. (2020). A multi-criteria evaluation system for arable land resource assessment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192, Article 79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-8023-x

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Li, Feipeng; Liu, Wei; Lu, Zhibo; Mao, Lingchen; Xiao, Yihua

Journal or series: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

ISSN: 0167-6369

eISSN: 1573-2959

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 192

Article number: 79

Publisher: Springer

Publication country: Netherlands

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-8023-x

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67466

Abstract

This study proposed a multi-criteria evaluation system for arable land resources by combining the soil integrated fertility index (IFI) with a soil cleanliness index (based on heavy metals and metalloid content). A total of 16 typical arable land units in Chongming District, China, were evaluated using the proposed evaluation system based on 104 collected soil samples in 16 towns. The comprehensive soil evaluation scores of arable lands in 16 towns were in the range of 90.7 to 99.2 with a mean of 96.2, indicating that the arable land in all 16 towns was at the level of excellent (≥ 90.0). Lower cleanliness indices had a significant impact on the final evaluation score. In comparison with single-index evaluation systems (i.e., the IFI or soil cleanliness index), the proposed multi-criteria system better reflects the quality of the soil. In the practice of arable land requisition and subsidy policy, the proposed multi-criteria evaluation system not only encourages farmers to preserve arable lands during farming but also helps agricultural authorities make effective and reliable management decisions.

Keywords: evaluation methods; fertility; soil protection; heavy metals

Free keywords: multi-criteria evaluation system; arable land resource; integrated fertility index (IFI); soil cleanliness index; heavy metals; comprehensive soil evaluation score

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 1