The rapid processes of industrialization and urbanization, coupled with the challenges of land degradation, pollution, and low land use efficiency resulting from climate change, pose significant obstacles to global land use, agriculture, and food security. The IGU Commission on Agricultural Geography and Land Engineering (IGU-AGLE) has introduced the innovative concept and technology of land engineering into agricultural production systems. It adheres to the principles of land ecological suitability and crop physiological adaptability, thereby scientifically advancing order-based land consolidation to meet the requirements of modern agriculture. Through land consolidation, soil construction, soil remediation, and other complex techniques, the conditions for agricultural production can be fundamentally altered, enhancing soil quality and land use efficiency, and ensuring the cultivation of good seeds in fertile soil.
In comparison with other IGU commissions, the research focus of IGU-AGLE is highly innovative, aiming in part to develop a series of engineering measures that directly contribute to national strategy and local development. Consequently, it also encounters significant challenges. Since its establishment in 2016, under the guidance and support of IGU, we have actively engaged in various academic exchanges, conference organization, field investigations, and experimental work to establish a robust academic exchange platform for the scientific research of agricultural geography and land engineering, which are as follows:
- Conference Organization: Five international academic conferences have been successfully conducted in China, Sweden, Indonesia, France, and other regions, with a participation of over 2,000 researchers from around the world. These conferences have significantly advanced the research in international agricultural geography and land engineering, with a primary focus on sustainable agriculture, land use, and rural development.
- Networking and Collaboration: Members of the IGU-AGLE Commission actively collaborate with other IGU commissions (such as Land Use and Land Cover Change, Land Degradation and Desertification, and Sustainability of Rural Systems). They organize sub-sessions and sub-forums within international geography-related conferences to facilitate academic exchanges and conferences with scholars worldwide.
- Field Investigation: Leveraging the cooperation platform, thousands of international scholars have been mobilized to conduct field research on agriculture and rural areas in key regions of China, including Yulin City in Shaanxi Province and Lingbao City in Henan Province. These initiatives have focused on advancing scientific research in agricultural geoengineering.
- Field Experiment: In China five research demonstration bases have been established in Yucheng City, Shandong Province; Yulin, Yan'an, and Yang County in Shaanxi Province; and Fuping County in Hebei Province. These bases continuously conduct research and development on agricultural geographic engineering technologies and field experiments. They seek to explore and promote modern agriculture and rural geographic engineering and technological innovation, leveraging the advantages of comprehensive geography and systematic engineering.
- Publications and Archival Contributions: Centered around sustainable agricultural development and land use, four special issues have been organized, featuring over 200 papers and books. Notably, we participated in the writing of chapters for the book "Research Directions, Challenges, and Achievements of Modern Geography" edited by Prof. J. Banski and Prof. M. Meadows. This work introduced the innovative concept of Modern Agricultural Geographic Engineering for the first time. Additionally, the IGU-AGLE commission contributed six news items to the IGU website.
- Honors and Awards: Through our significant scientific research contributions, the commission members have received numerous awards and honors. Prof. Yansui Liu has been honored with the TWAS Prize, IGU Distinguished Geographical Practice Award, National Innovation Forefront Award, Technology Development Promotion Prize from CAS, and has been featured in an interview by the Global Times. Additionally, Prof. Guy Robinson has been appointed as Vice-President of the Royal South Australian Geographical Society. He has also been made a LISA Fellow in the Lab for Interdisciplinary Spatial Analysis (LISA), Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge.
In conclusion, leveraging the IGU-AGLE platform, we have achieved significant results in academic exchanges, promoting scientific research, and have innovatively introduced the field of Agricultural Geographic Engineering since the establishment of the IGU-AGLE in December 2016. Moving forward, we aim to strengthen collaboration with other IGU commissions, organize regular conferences and thematic workshops, and conduct experiments in land engineering and agriculture across various geographical regions worldwide, establishing experimental sites in different countries. Additionally, we will establish a Human-Earth System Science Award, collaborate on professional scientific investigations and apply for international projects, and publish academic reports. These activities align with the overarching goal of the commission and contribute to advancing knowledge and practices in land engineering and agricultural geography.
Chair： Yansui Liu
Co-chair：Guy M Robinson
For more information on the IGU-AGLE Commission Work Report, please download the following attachment.
