The Advances and Problems of Land Use and Land Cover Change Research in China

Land use and land cover change (LUCC) is one of the important focuses in the area of global change research because it is not only the significant component but also the major reason of global change. Some results of LUCC research, such as causes, driving forces, LUCC modeling and effects on environment, have been reported in China, but many aspects need to be further studied, compared with international research on it. Based on reviewing them, this paper presents that the following contents should be emphasized and put priority in LUCC study in the coming period of time. (1) The united theory system of LUCC research. (2) More advanced and dynamic LUCC models of various scale of spatiality which should include data processing and better understanding the interaction of LUCC and driving forces. (3) Relations between LUCC and global change or sustainable development, especially to pay more attention to local and regional effects on environment.