Spatial differentiation identification of influencing factors of agricultural carbon productivity at city level in Taihu lake basin, China

Improving carbon productivity is the main way to deal with climate change under China's targets for carbon emissions to peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. This study identified the spatial differentiation of influencing factors of agricultural carbon productivity at the city level in Taihu lake basin, and formed differentiated agricultural management strategies. The results show that: (1) Spatial differentiation of agricultural carbon productivity is obvious at city level. It can be divided into three echelons: the first echelon is Shanghai and Hangzhou (agricultural carbon productivity>_10,000 Yuan/t in 2019 with a growth rate >_ 600% compared with 1992), the second echelon is Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou (9000 Yuan/t <_ agricultural carbon productivity<10,000 Yuan/t in 2019 with 381% <_ growth rate < 600% compared with 1992), and the third echelon is Zhenjiang, Huzhou and Jiaxing (agricultural carbon productivity<9000 Yuan/t in 2019 or a growth rate < 381% compared with 1992). (2) There is a synergetic evolution law between agricultural carbon productivity and agricultural economy, that is, agricultural economic development level is the first factor affecting agricultural carbon productivity, whether in the whole basin or in the city level. (3) There are significant differences in the influencing factors of agricultural carbon productivity at the city level. Finally, according to the spatial differentiation characteristics of influencing factors of agricultural carbon productivity at the city level in Taihu lake basin, we put forward different emphases of agricultural development in different cities. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study identified significant spatial differentiation of agricultural carbon productivity at the city level in the Taihu lake basin, with different echelons based on productivity levels. It also found a synergetic evolution law between agricultural carbon productivity and agricultural economy, highlighting the importance of economic development level in influencing carbon productivity. Additionally, there were notable differences in the influencing factors of agricultural carbon productivity at the city level.