The coordination and evolution of farmland multifunctionality based on a mechanical model: A case study of the Pearl River Delta

In order to grasp the evolution and coordination characteristics of farmland multifunctionality in economically fast-developing areas, a study was conducted in the Pearl River Delta wherein the evaluation index system of farmland functions was constructed, and a mechanical model was introduced to analyze the spatial pattern of the farmland and coordination relationship among its sub-functions. The results showed that in the 15-year observation period from 2000 to 2015, the economic function, social function, and ecological function indices of farmland in the Pearl River Delta region showed a downward trend. However, after 2010, this downward trend began to slow down. There was a significant spatial difference in the degree of coordination between the various functions of farmland. The areas with high coordination were mainly in the suburbs of central cities and towns with high industrialization and modernization, while the imbalanced areas were distributed in traditional agricultural production areas. According to the degree of deviation from the coordination function of farmland, three types of quadrant were used to divide the study area. We have identified the short-term characteristics of farmland in each type of area, and put forward corresponding development suggestions. This study provides an effective method and case support for the systematic study of farmland multifunctionality.