Here, we describe research on farmland fragmentation using the summary and comparison analysis approaches. The definition of farmland fragmentation, main research fields and measurement methods are reviewed. The connotation of farmland fragmentation is clear and has been widely recognized, but methods for determining fragmentation require further work. Farmland fragmentation research in China mainly focuses on the causes and its effect on agricultural production, particularly the negative impacts. The relationship between farmland fragmentation and land consolidation has received increasing attention; the relationship between farmland fragmentation and land transfer less so. Research in this area mainly draws on economic research methods, and geographical spatial analyses are absent. Several suggestions are made, including additional comparative studies across different areas based on different economic and social backgrounds; strengthening research on the relationship between farmland fragmentation and the comprehensive regulation of rural land; and adoption of RS and GIS methods.
