Land Degradation Caused by Construction Activity: Investigation, Cause and Control Measures.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Soil Science
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Rapid global expansion of construction land results in loss of arable land and severe land degradation.
• China experiences significant conversion of farmland and open spaces to construction use annually.
• Construction activities degrade soil physico-chemical properties, notably reducing organic matter content.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the reduction in land amount and quality due to construction activities in China.
• To collect and review policies aimed at controlling land deterioration from construction.
• To propose effective measures for mitigating widespread land degradation hazards in China.

Main Methods:

• Statistical analysis of land use changes from 2001 to 2017.
• Field investigation of soil properties before and after construction.
• Collection and review of relevant land management policies.

Main Results:

• Annual growth of construction land averaged 43.64 × 10^4 hm² from 2001-2017.
• Approximately 38 × 10^4 hm² of cultivated land converted to construction land annually.
• Post-construction soil organic matter decreased by 257.4–879.8% compared to pre-construction levels.

Conclusions:

• Weak economic incentives, ineffective degradation control measures, and poor regulatory enforcement contribute to significant land degradation.
• Urgent need for enhanced policies and enforcement to control construction-induced land degradation.
• Proposed measures aim to improve efficiency and success in mitigating these widespread hazards.