Impact of the rural population aging on land ecological security

The trend of demographic change is irreversible, and the aging of the rural population has become a significant factor undermining the foundations of food security. The relationship between this phenomenon and land ecosystems has not yet been thoroughly explored. To address this research gap, this study constructs an analytical framework of 'aging-factor allocation-ecological security' to empirically examine the impact of rural population aging on land ecological security and its underlying mechanisms. The results indicate that aging exerts a significant negative impact on land ecological security; however, within the pathway through which aging influence land ecological security, aging promotes land ecological security by facilitating the adoption of agricultural production services, increasing land transfers, expanding large-scale farming operations, and adjusting crop patterns. The results of the heterogeneity analysis indicate that the impact of rural population aging on land ecological security varies. The negative impact of aging on land ecological security is more pronounced in western regions, areas with rugged terrain, among those with a medium level of education, and in sample groups not experiencing a low birth rate. This finding provides a rationale for policy interventions, suggesting that increasing inputs into productive agricultural services, promoting land transfer and large-scale operations, and increasing subsidies for planting food may be important pathways to improving land ecology and increasing food security.