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Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development
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Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Economics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (12 April 2023) | Viewed by 19479

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xinlin Zhang

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Guest Editor
School of Geography, Geomatics and Planning, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: ecological economy; industrial green transformation; regioal sustaiable development; carbon emissions
Prof. Dr. Fangdao Qiu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Geography Science, Jiangsu Second Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: economic geography; carbon emissions; regional sustainable development; transformation of resource-based cities
Dr. Chuanhe Xiong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210042, China
Interests: regional sustainable development; utilization and metabolism of urban resources
Dr. Xin Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Population Research Institute, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210042, China
Interests: economic geography; environment and health; health geography; regional sustainable development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization, urban population agglomeration, rapid economic growth, and accelerated spatial expansion have led to resource shortage, ecological imbalance, environmental deterioration, haze and other problems, which have had a negative impact on human society. Regional sustainable development is hindered by the contradiction between resources, environment, and social–economic development. How to realize the healthy development of economy, industrialization, and urbanization under the situation of tighter resource constraints and environmental deterioration is a practical problem that needs to be discussed and solved. Ecological economy is a modern economic system that can realize the coordinated development of economy, society, resources, and environment under the guidance of sustainable development. Developing ecological economy is an important means to promote regional sustainable development. Ecological economy discusses the contradictions between economic systems and ecological systems, reveals the inner relation and development rule of the system composed of economy, ecology, society, and nature, and probes into the harmonious development path of each subsystem. Thus, this Special Issue in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development and we hope relevant scholars can carry out research. New research papers, reviews, and case reports are welcome for this Issue.

Dr. Xinlin Zhang
Prof. Dr. Fangdao Qiu
Dr. Chuanhe Xiong
Dr. Xin Xu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ecological economics
  • ecological efficiency
  • ecological and economic benefits
  • ecological values
  • ecological footprint
  • green economy
  • carbon reduction
  • risk assessment and management
  • health and environment
  • adaptive management of ecosystems

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 11017 KiB  
Article
The Outlook of Green Building Development in China during the “Fourteenth Five-Year Plan” Period
by Suyang Xue, Jiaming Na, Libin Wang, Shuangjun Wang and Xiaoxiao Xu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5122; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065122 - 14 Mar 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2296
Abstract
To achieve the “Double Carbon” target, China is paying increasing attention to green building development. Thus, this study selected 26 regional green building development planning documents that have been put into practice since the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan and analyzed different [...] Read more.
To achieve the “Double Carbon” target, China is paying increasing attention to green building development. Thus, this study selected 26 regional green building development planning documents that have been put into practice since the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan and analyzed different development goals and common development barriers and paths presented in regional documents by conducting qualitative research. After the analysis of common goals and goals with regional characteristics, this study verified that spatial imbalances did exist in the development targets of green building in each region during the “14th Five-Year Plan”, and the development priorities also varied from region to region. Due to the relation between development goals and the current situation, this study can also illustrate the spatial imbalances of the development situation between different regions. The results of this study can assist regional governments in gaining a clear self-positioning to judge whether they keep pace with the national development level of green buildings and encourage them to take measures to guarantee the stable development of green buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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23 pages, 3570 KiB  
Article
Horizontal CO2 Compensation in the Yangtze River Delta Based on CO2 Footprints and CO2 Emissions Efficiency
by Luwei Wang, Yizhen Zhang, Qing Zhao, Chuantang Ren, Yu Fu and Tao Wang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021369 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1395
Abstract
Purpose: In this study, we attempted to reduce the negative economic externalities related to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in the Yangtze River Delta region (YRD) and designed a cross-municipality responsibility-sharing mechanism. Methods: We estimated the municipal CO2 footprints in the [...] Read more.
Purpose: In this study, we attempted to reduce the negative economic externalities related to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in the Yangtze River Delta region (YRD) and designed a cross-municipality responsibility-sharing mechanism. Methods: We estimated the municipal CO2 footprints in the YRD from 2000 to 2019 based on nighttime light data and measured CO2 emissions efficiency using a super slack-based measurement (super-SBM) model. Based on this, we designed a scenario of horizontal CO2 compensation among the YRD’s municipalities from the perspectives of both CO2 footprints and CO2 trading (CO2 unit prices in trading were determined based on CO2 emissions efficiency). Results: The results showed the following: (1) The CO2 footprints evolution of the YRD municipalities could be divided into four categories, among which, eleven municipalities showed a decreasing trend. Thirteen municipalities stabilized their CO2 footprints. Thirteen municipalities exhibited strong growth in their CO2 footprints, whereas four municipalities maintained a low level of slow growth. (2) Spatially, CO2 emissions efficiency evolved from a broad distribution of low values to a mosaic distribution of multi-type zones. (3) After 2011, the ratio of CO2 footprint compensation amounts to local Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in most municipalities was less than 0.01%, with its center of gravity shifting cyclically. It was appropriate to start charging the CO2 footprint compensation amounts after 2011, with a dynamic adjustment of 3 years. (4) After 2007, the supply–demand relationship of CO2 trading continued to deteriorate, and it eased in 2016. However, its operational mechanism was still very fragile and highly dependent on a few pioneering municipalities. Innovations: In this study, we designed a horizontal CO2 compensation mechanism from the binary perspective of CO2 footprints and CO2 trading. In this mechanism, the former determines the CO2 footprint compensation amounts paid by each municipality based on whether the CO2 footprint exceeds its CO2 allowance. The latter determines the CO2 trading compensation amounts paid by the purchasing municipalities based on their CO2 emissions efficiency. This system balances equity and efficiency and provides new ideas for horizontal CO2 compensation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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15 pages, 1137 KiB  
Article
Research on the Spatial Correlation of China’s Haze Pollution and the Government’s Cooperative Governance Competitive Strategy
by Shijin Wang, Guirong Ji, Zhaolian Hu and Fangdao Qiu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010013 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1082
Abstract
A government’s choice of environmental strategy plays an important role in the coordinated governance of regional air pollution. Based on changes in China’s environmental policies and on changes in environmental indicators over the years, this paper selects regional haze data from the years [...] Read more.
A government’s choice of environmental strategy plays an important role in the coordinated governance of regional air pollution. Based on changes in China’s environmental policies and on changes in environmental indicators over the years, this paper selects regional haze data from the years 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017; uses social network analysis to describe the structural characteristics of a spatial correlation network in China; measures the level of coordination using a population gravity model; and further analyzes the influence of the overall structural characteristics of spatial networks on the level of coordination. The results show that the spatial association of regional haze presents a typical “central edge” network structure. The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and the Yangtze River Delta region are the largest emitters in China. The coordination level of haze control in China showed a fluctuating upward trend, but the overall level of coordination is relatively low, and there is still great room for improvement. Based on the above characteristics, using the provincial panel data from 2005–2017, a two-zone spatial Durbin model was built to empirically test the impact of changes to the environmental performance assessment system on local coordinated haze-control decisions and their stage characteristics. The overall sample results show that there was a “race to the bottom” among Chinese provinces during the study period. When the haze control intensity in neighboring areas was relaxed, the regional governments also tended to relax their own environmental regulation intensity. The time-based analysis results further show that with the improvement of the environmental performance assessment system, the strategy selection of coordinated governmental haze-management presents the possibility of a “race to the top”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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15 pages, 994 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Air Pollution Control Auditing on Reducing Carbon Emissions: Evidence from China
by Chen Zhao, Jiaxuan Zhu, Zhiyao Xu, Yixuan Wang, Bin Liu, Lu Yuan, Xiaowen Wang, Jiali Xiong and Yiming Zhao
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 17019; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417019 - 18 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1912
Abstract
Analyzing the carbon-emission-reduction mechanism from the perspective of air pollution control auditing is of great practical significance for China to implement the dual-carbon strategy. Based on the panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2004 to 2018, we examine whether and how the [...] Read more.
Analyzing the carbon-emission-reduction mechanism from the perspective of air pollution control auditing is of great practical significance for China to implement the dual-carbon strategy. Based on the panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2004 to 2018, we examine whether and how the auditing of air pollution control has an impact on carbon emission reduction by using multiple regression method and the mediating analysis. Our analyses show that air pollution control auditing can significantly restrain carbon emissions but has no impact on carbon emission intensity. Further research suggests that (1) the bottom-up audit represented by local audit institutions is more effective than the top-down audit represented by the National Audit Office; (2) air pollution control auditing follows a simple and direct method to curb carbon emissions by output reduction, regulation, and shutdown, rather than promoting technological progress and green transformation of enterprises in a high-quality development mode. Those findings provide an improvement direction for air pollution control auditing to contribute to carbon emission reduction and supply relevant policy references for implementing the dual carbon strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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24 pages, 1655 KiB  
Article
Pro-Environmental Behavior: Examining the Role of Ecological Value Cognition, Environmental Attitude, and Place Attachment among Rural Farmers in China
by Lin Meng and Wentao Si
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 17011; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417011 - 18 Dec 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2684
Abstract
Studies on the factors that influence farmers’ pro-environmental behavior could promote environmental management in rural areas. Jinan of China was selected as the case study area in this study. A structural equation model and multiple hierarchical regression analysis were applied to analyze the [...] Read more.
Studies on the factors that influence farmers’ pro-environmental behavior could promote environmental management in rural areas. Jinan of China was selected as the case study area in this study. A structural equation model and multiple hierarchical regression analysis were applied to analyze the influence mechanism of ecological value cognition on pro-environmental behavior. Environmental attitudes were set as the mediating variable and place attachment was selected as the moderating variable. The results showed that (1) ecological value cognition exhibited a positive influence on pro-environmental behavior in both direct and indirect ways. The indirect influence was mediated by environmental attitude. (2) Place identity and place dependence showed a positive direct influence on pro-environmental behavior. (3) It is suggested that in order to improve pro-environmental behavior, enhancing ecological value cognition, cultivating farmers’ positive environmental attitude, increasing farmers’ place attachment, and releasing reward and punishment measures are good strategies. The findings in this study are important to the improvement of the rural ecological environment and the quality of life of farmers. Meanwhile, the findings shed light on the construction process of ecological civilization and the improvement of public welfare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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14 pages, 743 KiB  
Article
Impact of Internet Development on Carbon Emissions in Jiangsu, China
by Shijin Wang and Fan Tong
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16681; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416681 - 12 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1113
Abstract
Based on STIRPAT and panel threshold models, this study empirically tested the impact of Internet development on carbon emissions using panel data of Jiangsu Province from 2007 to 2020. The results showed that the carbon emissions intensity of the Internet development level had [...] Read more.
Based on STIRPAT and panel threshold models, this study empirically tested the impact of Internet development on carbon emissions using panel data of Jiangsu Province from 2007 to 2020. The results showed that the carbon emissions intensity of the Internet development level had a significant promotion effect, while the carbon emissions intensity of technological progress showed a significant inhibition effect, but this inhibition effect is less than the promotion effect brought about by internet development. Considering the threshold effect, the development of the Internet had a double-threshold effect on carbon emissions in northern and central Jiangsu. Jiangsu Province should further accelerate the pace of Internet development and cross the threshold value as soon as possible. Finally, this study constructed a prediction model of emissions reduction to predict the future emissions reduction potential of Jiangsu Province and found that there was still much room for improvement regarding carbon emissions reduction in Jiangsu Province. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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22 pages, 8324 KiB  
Article
Construction, Evaluation, and Optimization of a Regional Ecological Security Pattern Based on MSPA–Circuit Theory Approach
by Chunguang Hu, Zhiyong Wang, Gaoliu Huang and Yichen Ding
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16184; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316184 - 3 Dec 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1527
Abstract
Ecological security is crucial for regional sustainable development; however, as modern urbanization highlights ecological security challenges, major challenges have arisen. In this paper, we take the ecological region around Taihu Lake, China, as a typical research site, extract important ecological sources and key [...] Read more.
Ecological security is crucial for regional sustainable development; however, as modern urbanization highlights ecological security challenges, major challenges have arisen. In this paper, we take the ecological region around Taihu Lake, China, as a typical research site, extract important ecological sources and key nodes using morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and circuit theory, and propose a regulatory framework for the ecological security pattern (ESP) of the ecological region based on the spatial characteristics of sources, corridors, and nodes. We obtained the following results: (1) The ESP includes 20 ecological sources, 37 ecological corridors, 36 critical ecological protection nodes, and 24 key ecological restoration nodes. (2) Most ecological sources are large and concentrated in western Zhejiang and west of Taihu Lake, which are both important ecological sources and ecological resistance surfaces. (3) The ecological corridors spread east, west, and south from Taihu Lake, with high network connectivity. (4) Shanghai serves as the central node, with the Su-Xi-Chang town cluster and the Qiantang River town cluster serving as the extension axes for the ecological resistance hot-spot area. The center of the elliptical ecological resistance surface (standard deviation) lies in Suzhou City, located on the east shore of Taihu Lake. (5) Ecological nodes were mostly located in ecological corridors or junctions. A “four zones and one belt” pattern is suggested in order to make the land around Taihu Lake more connected and stable ecologically. This study can be used as a guide for building and improving an ecological safety network. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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17 pages, 2942 KiB  
Article
Coupling and Coordination Relationship between the Tourism Economy and Ecosystem Service Value in Southern Jiangsu, China
by Bin Wang, Chunguang Hu and Jianxiong Li
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16136; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316136 - 2 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1609
Abstract
The relationship between the tourism economy and the ecosystem service value (ESV) is crucial for sustainable regional development. This study takes southern Jiangsu as a research object. Firstly, the development level of the tourism economy and ecosystem service value in southern Jiangsu from [...] Read more.
The relationship between the tourism economy and the ecosystem service value (ESV) is crucial for sustainable regional development. This study takes southern Jiangsu as a research object. Firstly, the development level of the tourism economy and ecosystem service value in southern Jiangsu from 2000 to 2020 are evaluated with the entropy method, ecosystem service value is estimated and the dynamic degree of land use is computed. Secondly, the coupling coordination degree model is used to explore the coupling coordination degree between the two systems. Finally, the interaction mechanism between the tourism economy and ecosystem service function is elaborated. The result shows that: (1) There are disparities in the levels of a comprehensive tourism economy in different cities, and the overall development level of the tourism economy in southern Jiangsu shows a cyclical fluctuation pattern. (2) Spatial variation of ecosystem service value exists in different cities in southern Jiangsu, with an overall trend of increasing in the beginning followed by a decline. (3) The coupling coordination degree between the tourism economic system and ecosystem service functions in southern Jiangsu demonstrates an inverted U-shaped development pattern from 2000 to 2020, evolving from mild disorder to intermediate coordination and then back to mild disorder, and the development of two subsystems is unstable and imbalanced. Within the region, Nanjing, Suzhou and Zhenjiang have experienced a rise in coupling coordination degree followed by a decline. This study also reveals the coupling mechanism between ecological service functions and the tourism economic system, and provides suggestions for ecological preservation and sustainable development of tourism industry in southern Jiangsu. This research can be a reference for tourism and regional development in southern Jiangsu and the whole Yangtze Delta region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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16 pages, 1566 KiB  
Article
Spatial Differentiation of Digital Rural Development and Influencing Factors in the Yellow River Basin, China
by Jiamin Ren, Chenrouyu Zheng, Fuyou Guo, Hongbo Zhao, Shuang Ma and Yu Cheng
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16111; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316111 - 1 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1408
Abstract
The new development mode represented by the digital economy has provided new ideas for sustainable rural development. To comprehensively understand the status of digital rural development and propose scientific measures of rural revitalization in the Yellow River Basin (YRB), this study used counties [...] Read more.
The new development mode represented by the digital economy has provided new ideas for sustainable rural development. To comprehensively understand the status of digital rural development and propose scientific measures of rural revitalization in the Yellow River Basin (YRB), this study used counties as the research unit and data from 2020 to analyze the spatial differentiation characteristics and influencing factors by employing the Theil index, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and a geodetector model. The results showed that the digital rural development index in the YRB is slightly higher than it is in China overall, but the sub-index for the digital economy is lagging. The levels of digital rural development in the different reaches were lower reaches > middle reaches > upper reaches. Additionally, municipal districts and county-level cities have higher statuses than t general counties. Moreover, the decomposition of the Theil index shows that the intra-group differences in the upper reaches and general counties are the most important cause of the total differences. Moreover, the levels of digital rural development demonstrate spatial differences, with high and low levels in the east and west, respectively. An obvious reliable spatial correlation exists, and the spatial agglomeration featured with a similar level is significant. Finally, the influencing factors of spatial heterogeneity of digital rural development in the YRB and different reaches were different, with government expenditure being the main leading factor in the YRB and its upper reaches, while educational attainment and industrial structure are the leading factors in the middle reaches and lower reaches, respectively. The explanatory power of the interactions between the factors far exceeds that of a single factor, as shown through double-factor and nonlinear enhancement. This study provides a scientific reference for facilitating more targeted policy measures to achieving the goal of digital China and rural revitalization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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22 pages, 19729 KiB  
Article
Spatial-Temporal Patterns of Ecosystem Services Supply-Demand and Influencing Factors: A Case Study of Resource-Based Cities in the Yellow River Basin, China
by Li Ming, Jiang Chang, Cheng Li, Yedong Chen and Cankun Li
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316100 - 1 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1873
Abstract
The aim of this study was to reveal the spatiotemporal pattern of the supply and demand of ecosystem services (ESs), as well as the significant driving factors for understanding the impact of human activities on the natural ecosystem. To provide a scientific basis [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to reveal the spatiotemporal pattern of the supply and demand of ecosystem services (ESs), as well as the significant driving factors for understanding the impact of human activities on the natural ecosystem. To provide a scientific basis for formulating regional sustainable development strategies that enhance human well-being, resource-based cities in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) were selected as the case study. The supply and demand of ecosystem services in these cities from 2000 to 2020 were measured. The spatiotemporal evolution of the supply-demand relationship was illustrated by taking its coordination degree. In addition, geographical detector and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models were applied to quantify the spatiotemporally varying effects of natural and socioeconomic factors on the ES supply--demand relationship. The results showed that resource-based cities in the YRB were experiencing expansion in supply and demand overall, but the supply-demand relationship tended to be tense. The northwest YRB had higher coordination values of supply-demand, while lower values were found in the southeast YRB. Moreover, the relationship between supply and demand was significantly affected by natural and socioeconomic factors, such as elevation, slope, precipitation, land-use type, population density, and gross domestic product (GDP) per land. Furthermore, the GWR model suggested that the effects of driving factors on the supply-demand relationship had notable spatial heterogeneity. The coordination of ES supply-demand in the resource-based cities of southeast YRB was mainly influenced by socioeconomic factors, while that of the west YRB was mainly influenced by natural factors. Our study suggested that it is necessary to enhance the awareness of environmental protection, pay attention to ecological restoration, and avoid unreasonable human disturbance to the ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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22 pages, 4752 KiB  
Article
Spatio-Temporal Patterns of County Population Shrinkage and Influencing Factors in the North–South Transitional Zone of China
by Tong Wu, Beibei Ma and Yongyong Song
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15801; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315801 - 27 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1375
Abstract
Population is the foundation of socio-economic development. However, continued population shrinkage has made the problem of unbalanced and insufficient regional development more prominent, threatening human well-being. How to solve the contradiction between population shrinkage and regional development has become an urgent scientific problem. [...] Read more.
Population is the foundation of socio-economic development. However, continued population shrinkage has made the problem of unbalanced and insufficient regional development more prominent, threatening human well-being. How to solve the contradiction between population shrinkage and regional development has become an urgent scientific problem. Therefore, taking a typical underdeveloped mountainous region, the North–South Transitional Zone of China, as an example, we analyzed the spatial and temporal evolution of regional population shrinkage from 2000 to 2020, classified the types of regional population shrinkage, and revealed the key influencing factors and driving mechanisms for the formation of population shrinkage patterns in poor mountainous counties. The results showed that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the number of counties in the North–South Transitional Zone of China with population shrinkage grew, and the degree of shrinkage increased. The shrinking counties were mainly municipal counties, and the shrinkage types were mainly continuous shrinkage and expansion followed by shrinkage. (2) Spatially, the shrinking counties had significant and strengthening spatial autocorrelation, with obvious characteristics of the contiguous shrinkage of county units, and the shrinkage center of gravity and shrinkage agglomeration areas showed an evolutionary trend of shifting from east to west. The shrinking counties had obvious divergence in both the “east–west” and “north–south” directions. (3) Natural factors had an endogenous rooting role, while human factors had a strong driving role, and the impact of different influencing factors varied significantly. (4) The formation and evolution of the spatial pattern of county population shrinkage was subject to the synergistic effect of natural factors and human factors. The interaction between natural and human factors had a non-linear enhancement effect and a two-factor enhancement effect. The results of this study are expected to provide a scientific basis for coordinating regional human–land relations in order to optimize population-flow governance and sustainable regional development in the North–South Transitional Zone and less-developed regions of China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Ecological Economy and Regional Sustainable Development)
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