Using a settlement connectivity‐based framework to map the farmland abandonment risk: A case study on the World Heritage of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces

A novel framework, FARBSC, effectively maps farmland abandonment risk using settlement connectivity and least-cost path modeling. Applied to the UNESCO-listed Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in China, it identified 13.5% of land as high-risk, with 43.3%, 36.7%, and 6.5% classified as weakly stable, stable, and highly stable zones respectively. This approach outperforms traditional methods like composite indicators or buffer zone analysis, offering a data-efficient solution for remote mountainous regions. The study demonstrates how landscape ecology principles can enhance agricultural sustainability in heritage sites.

Jiao, Y., Liu, Z., Ding, Y., Xu, Q., Yang, Y., Liu, C., & Liao, H. (2023). Using a settlement connectivity‐based framework to map the farmland abandonment risk: A case study on the World Heritage of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces. Land Degradation & Development, 34(12), 3755–3768. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4718