Is Land Expropriation to Keep Agricultural Use an Effective Strategy for the Conservation of an Urban Agricultural Heritage System? Evidence from China

Urbanization is one of the major threats to dynamic inheritance agricultural heritage system (AHS). The ability achieve sustainable development in intra-urban areas an essential proposition related innovation AHS conservation principles. Haizhu high bed-low ditch agroecosystem (HHBLDA), a China-Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage System site located at center Guangzhou City, taken as example this study. effect implementing Land Acquisition Keep Use (LAKAU) on assessed through literature collection and review, field survey, in-depth interviews. results show that LAKAU was implemented because three-decades-long struggle between ecological urban sprawl. Because important functions ecosystem services, can coexist with land use course rapid urbanization. mode ensure nature farmland remains unchanged, which effective strategy for AHS. resulting problems, such operating costs, insufficient outputs, local farmers off-farm opportunities, should be addressed by establishing self-sustaining mechanism. Realizing compatibility management concepts reserves, adapting changing role farmers, strengthening acceptance managers attract attention decision-makers.