Spatial Correlation and Impact of Arable Land Fragmentation and Ecological Security in the Western Hilly Region

ABSTRACT The persistent issue of arable land fragmentation (ALF) has increasingly highlighted the vulnerability of arable ecosystems. Investigating the mechanisms through which ALF impacts ecological security is crucial for ensuring the long‐term stability of these ecosystems. In this study, we separately evaluated the ecological security of arable land and the extent of ALF in the Western Hilly region. We then analyzed the spatial correlation between these two factors. Additionally, an econometric model was employed to examine the impact of ALF on ecological security. The findings revealed that the average values for ALF and ecological security in the Western Hilly region of Liaoning Province were 0.13 and 0.26, respectively, indicating overall low levels. A significant negative correlation was observed, with a correlation coefficient of −0.25 between ALF and ecological security. Specifically, area fragmentation (AFI), shape fragmentation (SFI), and distribution fragmentation (DFI) all adversely affected ecological security, with DFI having the most pronounced negative impact. For every 1‐unit increase in the DFI index, ecological security decreased by 0.05 units. This study aims to address the issue of arable land fragmentation, thereby enhancing the ecological security of arable land. The results hold significant implications for the sustainable development of arable land resources.