Analysis of spatial distribution and factors influencing productivity of cultivated land in Zhonglou District of Changzhou City, China

Productivity assessment of cultivated land has important practical significance for the protection and improvement of cultivated land. Based on the reconstruction of a cultivated land productivity evaluation system, we used spatial autocorrelation and principal component regression analysis to analyze the spatial distribution and factors influencing productivity of cultivated land in the Zhonglou District of Changzhou City. The results revealed that:The evaluation system for determining the productivity of cultivated land based on comprehensive indicators of climate, natural factors, and technical level had limited applicability and operational value. The production capacity of the cultivated land in Zhonglou District was classified as 6 and 7 ratings. The proportion of the 6th land reached 97.55%. Lower productivity were found to be distributed in the urban street area than in the surrounding areas. The overall spatial agglomeration characteristics of the productivity of cultivated land was significant. All streets (townships) showed strong spatial autocorrelation; positive correlation (HH and LL types) appeared in groups and negative correlation (LH and HL types) was scattered. The natural quality and technical level of cultivated land were the key factors affecting the spatial distribution of productivity of cultivated land in the Zhonglou District. The four dominant factors were tillage layer thickness, organic matter content, barrier layer depth and soil nutrients. The three secondary factors were pH, reliable irrigation, and drainage conditions. Therefore, targeted measures to increase the productivity of cultivated land should be formulated based on enhancing the natural quality of cultivated land and improving the technical practices of cultivated land