The couple model of ecological conservation and high quality production for urban agriculture of arid areas in Northwestern China

Urban agriculture undertakes a dual function of ecological conservation and economic development in arid regions in Western China.Traditional urban agriculture has not been able to adapt to the demands of urban-rural integration,which have changed from a single production function to the multiple functions in production, ecology, landscape, and culture. Here, we design couple models based on functional coupling, industry coupling, and spatial coupling of urban agriculture in Xifeng District of Qingyang City in Gansu Province, according to natural resource features, development status, functional orientation, and spatial layout of agriculture. These models assess efficient vegetation restoration and ecological conservation, high-quality productive agriculture and livestock, and leisure and cultural development. The modern urban agriculture system is based on soil and water conservation and ecological conservation,development-oriented of efficient high quality production,various means of agriculture, and forestry and animal husbandry through 3 modes of integrated application in the Xifeng District of Qingyang City in Gansu Province.