S. (Shuyi) Ren

Shuyi’s PhD project leverages his multidisciplinary background in human geography, geographic information science, agricultural land management, and ecology to investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics, driving mechanisms of cropland fragmentation (CLF) in China. The project aims to uncover how CLF influences agricultural intensification, nitrogen use efficiency, food security, and environmental quality. Integrating geospatial analysis, ecological insights, and socioeconomic perspectives, the research addresses several key areas:

• Spatio-temporal Patterns and Land Tenure: Characterizing the evolution and distribution of CLF across China, with a focus on how land tenure influences these dynamics at large scales.
• Land and Crop Sensitivity: Evaluating the roles of various land types and crops in shaping CLF and determining their respective sensitivities.
• Multifactorial Drivers and Regional Variations: Analyzing the complex, nonlinear interplay of economic, social, and environmental factors that drive CLF, and how these relationships differ regionally.
• Nitrogen Inputs and Crop Productivity: Investigating the impacts of CLF on nitrogen input dynamics and crop productivity, and assessing if targeted management can simultaneously enhance productivity and sustainability.
• Optimized Management Strategies and Policy Development: Formulating actionable, scenario-based strategies and policy recommendations for managing CLF, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural development.

By employing advanced spatial analysis techniques, robust statistical modeling, and comprehensive scenario simulations, Shuyi’s PhD research aspires to provide high-resolution assessments and practical frameworks that empower policymakers and stakeholders to boost agricultural productivity while strengthening ecological resilience.