Navigating Trade–Offs and Synergies of Cultivated Land Values in China’s Poverty–Alleviated Area During Rural Transformation: A Case Study of the Liupan Mountain Area in Northwestern China

Significant rural transformation has occurred in China’s formerly impoverished areas due to targeted poverty alleviation and rural revitalization strategies. In these areas, the coordinated development of the economic and ecological values of cultivated land resources is essential for rural transformation. This study focuses on the Liupan Mountain area, a typical poverty alleviation demonstration zone and Ecological and economic fragile area in Northwestern China. By collecting statistical yearbook data and raster data, it establishes a valuation system for cultivated land resources, transforming these resources into quantifiable poverty alleviation capital. This approach provides support for the long–term consolidation of targeted poverty alleviation policies. By integrating the Production Possibility Frontier (PPF) method with GIS spatial analysis, we developed a workflow to analyze value correlations and spatial patterns. The results showed the following: (1) While ecological values grew steadily from 2007 to 2022, economic value increased initially and then decreased, with both exhibiting significant spatial heterogeneity. (2) The relationship between economic value and ecological value evolved into a continuously strengthening synergy. (3) The integration of PPF curves with GIS visualization technology enabled the identification of underutilized, overutilized, and optimally utilized areas, revealing a distinct “π–shaped” overutilization zone. This study elucidates the trade–offs, synergies, and spatial characteristics of cultivated land values, providing critical insights for sustainable land resource management in post–poverty transformation areas.