The configuration of multifunctional cultivated land is critical for its protection. Although studies on multifunctional cultivated land have been conducted, there is a lack of information regarding the spatiotemporal characteristics and tradeoff synergy relationship of cultivated‐land functions at the same time on a nonadministrative unit scale. The purpose of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and the tradeoff synergy areas from the perspective of multifunctional cultivated land for efficient use of land resources to minimize the conflict between people and nature. The fuzzy optimization model and spatial autocorrelation analysis method were used to study spatial distribution characteristics and the tradeoff synergy spatial patterns, respectively. The results showed that (a) the implementation of different improvement measures for the spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated‐land functions could also accelerate the coordinated development of cultivated‐land functions, (b) multiple functions of cultivated land not only had a synergy trend in time, but they also had a heterogeneity and fluctuation in spatial distribution, providing a direction for the new development or management pattern of cultivated land, and (c) results on the multifunctional evaluation and tradeoff synergy relationship of cultivated land provided the foundation for determining the short‐board function and upgrading direction of cultivated land. At the grid scale, the evolution of functional distribution characteristics and functional relationships are helpful for decision‐makers to implement accurately farmland protection policies and formulate farmland regulation rules.

Assessing the temporal and spatial characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation is necessary to identify management practices that can reduce negative environmental effects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to use principal component analysis and spatial autocorrelation to analyze the dynamic characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in different landform areas in Liaoning Province, China, in terms of time and space. An additional objective was to match the changes with the natural and social environment to support the sustainable development of fragmented cultivated land. The results indicated that the evolutionary trends of cultivated land fragmentation in the central plain area showed a weakening trend, contrary to those observed in the western hilly and eastern mountainous areas. Moreover, the spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the western hilly area were generally "external low, internal high," primarily because of the edge density of cultivated land patches. The spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the central plain area were generally "external high, internal low," primarily because of the number and division of cultivated land patches. The spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the eastern mountainous area were generally "south low, north high" because of the division of cultivated land patches. These results can provide guidelines for planners, managers, decision-makers and others to formulate regulatory policies, identify land remediation areas, and promote the sustainable development of cultivated land.

This a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary.