Analysis of quantitative change and driving forces of cultivated land in Wuhan city

According to statistical data from 1978 to 1999, dynamic changes of quantitative and regional differences of cultivated land in Wuhan city during the last 22 years are analyzed. Based upon which, the major driving forces that influence the changes of cultivated land are discussed. The results indicate that the general trend of cultivated land during the past 22 years was decreasing and regional differences of cultivated land was very notable. Economic development and the population growth are the inner driving forces that caused cultivated land changes where as driven economic benefit and land policies are exogenous driving forces.