The spatial pattern of winter farmland in Guizhou Province determined using GIS

Winter farmland utilization in 61 counties within Guizhou Province was determined using a questionnaire survey and GIS technology. The utilization rates, land use practices, and factors influencing winter farmlands were examined. The results revealed that 46.4% of farmland in Guizhou Province was utilized during winter and that the main land uses were the planting of oilseed rape and other vegetables, as these crops can produce higher and direct economic benefits. The extent of Guizhou Province winter farmland utilization was found to be proportional to the available household labor force, and a reduction in labor will probably lead to the extensive management of arable land. There was no significant correlation between land utilization and climatic factors, including temperature, precipitation, altitude, and solar radiation. However, land use methods were found to differ under different climatic conditions. Guizhou Province can be divided into four winter farmland regions, namely the northeast cabbage, south oilseed rape, low-temperature northwest potato, and high-rainfall southeast aquaculture region. In the future, to enhance local farmers' incomes and promote the efficient utilization of winter farmland in Guizhou Province, appropriate agricultural extension measures, determined by local socioeconomic conditions, household labor force structure, and climatic conditions, should be adopted for the four farmland regions of Guizhou Province.