Identification of Cultivated Land Optimization and Adjustment Zones Based on Orchard Land Quality Evaluation: A Case Study of Citrus Orchards in Xinfeng County, Jiangxi Province

This study aims to develop a multi-dimensional framework to systematically identify optimal adjustment zones for converting orchard land into cultivated land, thereby providing a reference for spatial optimization of cultivated land within the context of integrating diverse land occupation activities into the requisition–compensation balance system. The research incorporates land quality evaluation, land-use conversion cost assessment, ecological loss analysis, and scenario-based simulations. The study demonstrates that (1) compared to the common practice of directly converting orchard land to cultivated land by only considering the slope, our multi-scenario optimization model for cultivated land reduces both economic and ecological losses. (2) For cities prioritizing ecological or economic development, selecting strategies under corresponding priority scenarios can maximize the protection of local ecological environments or maintain economic levels, thereby providing reserve resources for cultivated land optimization and adjustment. (3) Under the MMEG (EG: Ecological priority scenario) and MMEM (EM: Economic priority scenario) scenarios (MM: conversion of medium-low-grade orchard land to medium-high-grade cultivated land), the area of cultivated land optimal adjustment zones is the largest. The method of comprehensively identifying cultivated land optimal adjustment zones through multi-dimensional scenario settings is more comprehensive than the conventional approach that only considers slope. This method enhances cultivated land quality more effectively and protects both the ecosystem and the economy.