Large-scale ecological infrastructures enhance the productivity of agro-socio-ecological systems by reducing soil erosion in the Loess Plateau.

Agro-socio-ecological systems are a crucial link connecting urbanization, agricultural development and environmental evolution. However, there is no effective research on realizing regional collaborative development and environmental governance of the agricultural social-system collaborative governance model, especially spatial differentiation governance. In this study, the region with the most severe soil erosion in the world was selected as the research area. We used socio-economic statistical data and remote sensing data, combined with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, to provide analytical evidence in different sub-regions. Results showed that the soil erosion rate of the Loess Plateau has dropped significantly during the past three decades, with an average decreasing rate of 0.46 t ha−1 yr−2 or 2.33%. Large-scale investments in ecological infrastructure (e.g., check dams) increase agro-socio-ecological productivity by reducing soil erosion. The productivity of social-ecological systems increased significantly, especially after 2000, with the grain production capacity and gross primary productivity rising by 84.28% and 18.06% from 1990 to 2017. The decrease in grain yield caused by the ecological return of upland cropland and the occupation of high-quality cropland will be raised to a better level. Large-scale investment in ecological infrastructure enabled farmers to obtain ecological compensation, and agricultural income resulting from land productivity improvement brought about by infrastructure investment. This study further confirms the dual benefits of ecological infrastructure in controlling erosion and improving land productivity, and provides sustainable support for achieving coordinated economic growth and ecological environmental protection through effective management of agricultural ecosystems. • Large-scale ecological infrastructure controls soil erosion through water conservation and farmland protection. • Regions reliant on resource development can achieve growth through collaborative governance of agricultural social-ecosystems. • Enhancing agricultural social-ecosystem productivity mitigates prime farmland loss from rapid urbanization. • Urbanization and ecological infrastructures promoted a win-win for ecology and production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]