Spatiotemporal dynamics of environmental impacts from food production in China

China is confronting trade-offs and the need for harmonization between food security and sustainable agricultural development. It is crucial to quantify changes in the sustainability of food production from multiple perspectives and assess the effectiveness of policy implementation. This study integrates data from various sources, including remote sensing, statistical surveys, and model simulations, to evaluate four key environmental indicators of crop production in China: water usage for irrigation, nitrogen and phosphorus surpluses, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts is provided. The results indicate that from 2010 to 2020, crop kcal yield increased by 23%, accompanied by a 15% rise in irrigation water usage. However, nitrogen and phosphorus surpluses decreased by 14% and 15%, respectively, while GHG emissions declined by 8%. The intensity of these environmental indicators per kcal yield and their combined impact also decreased by 14%. Despite the overall mitigation of environmental impacts, significant regional differences highlight the complexity of localized environmental pressures. This study offers a scientific foundation for developing regionally differentiated policies to promote sustainable agricultural development.