The Spatial Distribution of Land Consolidation Projects in China from 2006 to 2012

In order to determine the spatial distribution characteristic of land consolidation projects since 2006,changes in the spatial distribution of land consolidation projects were studied. Based on land consolidation project data at the county level, a gravity center model and gravity center moving model, we found remarkably different features at different spatial scales. The spatial distribution of land consolidation projects was largely limited to eastern and central China. Projects were distributed mainly at the mid and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and northeastern China. The share of land development project was in a dominant position and fluctuated frequently year after year, land reclamation projects second, and land arrangement project last. The land development project shift route was inclined to the southwest of China; the gravity center was mainly located in Hunan and Hubei province. The land arrangement project shift route deviated to the northwest and southwest of China, and its gravity center to east. Our findings suggest China needs to adjust the policy of land consolidation,and land arrangement or reclamation project should be appropriately encouraged. Land development projects on uncultivated arable land should be restricted for the sake of ecological protection. Government should strengthen the top-level design of the regional distribution of land consolidation projects; state and local governments must develop proper policy to guide the sustainable development of land consolidation projects and realize a balanced spatial distribution of land consolidation.