Abstract
Agricultural land use(ALU)critically influences food production and water resource allocation.This study examines the dynamics of ALU in the North China Plain(NCP),a region characterized by intensive agri-culture and severe groundwater over-exploitation,focusing on the multidimensional drivers and their implications for water resource management.By employing an elaborate classification scheme based on satellite imagery and extensive first-hand field data,we identified significant shifts in crop patterns.From 2013 to 2017,there was a notable transition from double crops(primarily wheat-maize)to single crops(primarily maize),covering 4600 km2 and accounting for 42%of single crops in 2013.From 2017 to 2022,there was a shift from single crops to economic forests,encompassing 3600 km2 and 22%of eco-nomic forests in 2017,including orchards,timber trees,and shelter forest belts.These shifts resulted in an 11%decrease in grain acreage(6800 km2)but an 11%increase in crop water consumption(6.3 km3)during 2013-2022.Notably,water consumption by economic forests increased by 126%(9.4 km3)during this period.This study highlights the critical need to balance competing demands for food and water security,providing valuable insights applicable to other agriculturally intensive regions worldwide.