Cropland Resource Utilization Characteristics, Pattern Zoning, and Evolutionary Mechanisms in the Huang–Huai–Hai Region

Against the backdrop of industrialization and urbanization, China’s cropland resource utilization has changed significantly, yet existing research lacks integrated zoning and formation mechanisms. Taking the Huang–Huai–Hai region as a case, this study constructed an indicator system covering quantitative endowment, landscape morphology, natural background, and production functions from the perspective of dominant and recessive land-use transitions. Based on the general characteristics and spatiotemporal evolution of different cropland resource utilization forms, we used 3S technology and the CART algorithm to classify the 52 cities in the Huang–Huai–Hai region into five cropland resource utilization patterns. From 2000 to 2020, these patterns evolved from fragmented and extensive to large-scale, intensive, and functional. Market reforms and land tenure interventions were closely associated with this evolution, as they affected labor allocation, property rights, farming practices, technology, and farmers’ risk aversion. This study enriches cropland resource utilization theory and supports territorial optimization for high-quality agriculture in the region.