RESUMO
Exploring the ecological utility of cultivated land's carbon metabolism offers policy insights for ensuring its healthy operation and promote the dual carbon goals (carbon peak and carbon neutrality). We employed ecological network analysis (ENA) and kernel density estimation to conduct an empirical study, taking Hubei Province from 2000 to 2020 as an example. The results revealed apparent negative effects of carbon metabolic flow on regional carbon balance. Specifically, cultivated land conversion into transportation and industrial land contributed significantly to the harmful carbon flow. Ecological relationships showed fierce competition for carbon storage, leading to overall adverse ecological effects. The ecological utility indicated detrimental impacts on the orderly functioning of land-use carbon metabolism. Cultivated land's carbon metabolism will be essential in achieving land-use carbon neutrality. Therefore, territorial spatial low-carbon optimization should be implemented to realize its green and sustainable development.