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Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological...
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Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological Conservation and Socioeconomic Development, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 16 March 2026 | Viewed by 4534

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fanglei Zhong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Economics, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: sustainable development goals; residential energy consumption transition; natural resource management; ecological economics; biological and cultural diversity; shared socio-economic pathways scenarios; peak carbon emissions and carbon neutral pathways
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Lihua Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Interests: ecological economics and regional sustainable development; environmental policy and management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The diverse climatic, locational, and historical contexts of national parks necessitate a nuanced understanding of their conservation challenges and priorities. Since the 1980s, the trade-offs between ecological preservation and regional economic development have sparked extensive debate, underlining the complex interplay between environmental conservation and human well-being. This Special Issue seeks, therefore, to highlight the importance of identifying the key factors in the diverse natural environments of national parks and to understand the socioeconomic impacts of conservation policies on local communities. National parks have historically faced challenges in balancing ecological protection with the socioeconomic needs of adjacent communities, often leading to conflicts that affect both the parks' conservation goals and the quality of life of local residents.

Following the success of our first edition, this Special Issue continues to explore the intricate balance between preserving natural environments and fostering socioeconomic welfare within and around national parks. Building on this foundation, this second edition seeks to delve deeper into innovative and forward-looking solutions and aims to both highlight the key factors in the diverse natural environments of national parks and understand the socioeconomic impacts of conservation policies on local communities.

We are looking for contributions that assess and improve National Park protection, both broadly and in detail. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • The socioeconomic impacts of national parks on local communities;
  • Strategies for balancing conservation efforts with regional economic development;
  • The influence of political, economic, and cultural traditions on national park policies and practices;
  • Innovations in governance and management models;
  • Interdisciplinary and integrative approaches;
  • Global and comparative perspectives;
  • Historical, current, and future perspectives on the role of national parks in societal and economic systems.

We encourage contributions in the form of original research articles, reviews, case studies, and perspective pieces that shed light on the multifaceted role of national parks in ecological and socioeconomic systems.

Dr. Fanglei Zhong
Prof. Dr. Lihua Zhou
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Land 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 2600 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

  • sustainable development goals
  • national parks
  • mode of management
  • socioeconomic development
  • conservation

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 1327 KB  
Article
Economic Impacts and Spatial Spillovers of the National Park Pilot Policy: Evidence from Yunnan, China
by Yingying Pan, Guang Yang, Hui Wang, Wenhui Chen, Xiaoyan Wei and Junsong Zhou
Land 2026, 15(2), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15020222 - 28 Jan 2026
Abstract
National parks are a key institutional tool for coordinating ecological conservation and sustainable development. This paper takes the pilot national park program in Yunnan Province, China, as a case study. Using panel data from 127 counties between 2001 and 2023, we empirically examine [...] Read more.
National parks are a key institutional tool for coordinating ecological conservation and sustainable development. This paper takes the pilot national park program in Yunnan Province, China, as a case study. Using panel data from 127 counties between 2001 and 2023, we empirically examine the economic impact of the national park pilot program using a Time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) approach and a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM). The study finds that (1) the pilot policy significantly increased per capita GDP in the counties by approximately 5057 RMB, with a 4- to 5-year lag effect and a long-term marginally increasing trend; (2) the policy drives economic growth through three main channels: increased fiscal transfers from higher levels of government, induced industrial upgrading, and the stimulation of fixed-asset investment; (3) the policy’s impact is more significant in areas with low economic levels, high altitudes, and high ecological quality; (4) national parks not only stimulate local economic growth but also promote coordinated development in surrounding regions through significant spatial spillover effects. This paper confirms the feasibility of transforming ecological advantages into economic advantages and provides empirical evidence for optimizing spatial governance in “Global South” countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological Conservation and Socioeconomic Development, 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 2618 KB  
Article
Exploring the Residents’ Perceptions of Ecosystem Services and Disservices in Three-River-Source National Park
by Aiqing Li, Huaju Xue, Yanqin Wang, Xiaofen Wang and Jinhe Zhang
Land 2026, 15(1), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010148 - 11 Jan 2026
Viewed by 235
Abstract
Understanding residents’ perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS) is crucial for protected areas governance. This study, conducted in China’s Three-River-Source National Park (TNP), employed participatory rural appraisal and household questionnaires to examine local cognitive patterns of ES and EDS, along [...] Read more.
Understanding residents’ perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS) is crucial for protected areas governance. This study, conducted in China’s Three-River-Source National Park (TNP), employed participatory rural appraisal and household questionnaires to examine local cognitive patterns of ES and EDS, along with their socio-spatial heterogeneity and perceived synergies and trade-offs among them. The key findings are as follows: (1) Cultural services received the highest scores, followed by regulating services, whereas provisioning services, especially food provisioning, were rated as relatively inadequate. Safety threats were considered the most severe EDS. Overall, a Matthew Effect emerged: services with high current perception scores showed an improving trend, while those with low scores deteriorated. (2) Spatially, ES/EDS evaluation scores exhibited a “core zone < general control zone < peripheral zone” gradient. Socio-demographic and economic factors also influenced residents’ perceptions; women and the elderly were especially more concerned about food and energy supply shortages and safety issues. (3) The relationships among the various ES and EDS are primarily synergistic rather than trade-offs. Specifically, gains in regulating services were associated with enhanced cultural services, while declines in provisioning services and intensified safety threats coincided with the deterioration of material EDS. These findings offer a scientific basis for managing protected areas in high-altitude, ecologically fragile regions and provide practical insights for balancing ecological conservation with community development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological Conservation and Socioeconomic Development, 2nd Edition)
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30 pages, 3759 KB  
Article
Revealing “Unequal Natures”—The Paradox of Water Vulnerability for People on the Periphery of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
by Grecia Casanova-Madera, Tlacaelel Rivera-Núñez, Birgit Schmook, Sophie Calmé, Dolores Ofelia Molina-Rosales and Rehema M. White
Land 2026, 15(1), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010124 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 892
Abstract
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, in southeastern Mexico, is a major conservation area known for its tropical forests, emblematic wildlife species, and long history of Maya occupation. Established in 1989 as a federal Natural Protected Area, it was incorporated into UNESCO’s Man and the [...] Read more.
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, in southeastern Mexico, is a major conservation area known for its tropical forests, emblematic wildlife species, and long history of Maya occupation. Established in 1989 as a federal Natural Protected Area, it was incorporated into UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program in 1993 and designated a mixed World Heritage Site in 2014. Its socioecological trajectory is distinctive: conservation efforts advanced alongside the contemporary rural settlement resulting from agrarian reform and subsequent development and welfare policies. This article examines the persistent imbalance between ecological conservation and socioeconomic development surrounding the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, focusing on water vulnerability in adjacent communities. The study integrates environmental history with household-level survey data on water access and vulnerability among 200 households in eight communities in the Biosphere Reserve’s transition zone, complemented by interviews with key water-management stakeholders. We document the consolidation of conservation through management plans, advisory councils, payments for ecosystem services, scientific research, and expanding voluntary conservation areas. Yet these advances contrast sharply with everyday socioeconomic realities: 68% of households face prolonged water scarcity, with an average of more than 30 days annually without water. Calakmul’s case highlights structural mismatch between conservation and local human well-being in Natural Protected Areas contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological Conservation and Socioeconomic Development, 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 1943 KB  
Article
Quality Evaluation of Ecological Experience Resources and Optimization of Resource Management Policies in National Parks: Taking the Laohegou Area of Giant Panda National Park as an Example
by Huizhi Zhang, Zhi Wang, Yixing Bi, Ying Nie, Jiang Zhao and Baorong Huang
Land 2025, 14(12), 2414; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14122414 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 423
Abstract
National parks are the core carriers for implementing the concept of “ecological protection first, public welfare for all”. This study used the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to evaluate the ecological experience resource quality of the Laohegou area in Giant Panda National Park of [...] Read more.
National parks are the core carriers for implementing the concept of “ecological protection first, public welfare for all”. This study used the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to evaluate the ecological experience resource quality of the Laohegou area in Giant Panda National Park of China. Based on the standardized psychological assessment scale and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, we have established an evaluation model for the psychological health benefits, quantifying the psychological health benefits of tourists in the ecological experience of national parks. At the same time, the relationship between the demographic characteristics, ecological experience characteristics, psychological health level, and psychological health benefits of visitors was analyzed. The ecological environment in Laohegou area is excellent (evaluated as “excellent” in multiple key indicators), with outstanding resource and value characteristics (evaluated as “good” in multiple indicators), and has the ability to provide high-quality public ecological experiences, which has significant benefits in promoting tourists’ mental health. The ecological experience within national parks could bring high psychological health benefits to visitors. The educational background, age, and income of visitors had a significant impact on the psychological health benefits of their ecological experience. Therefore, ecological experience products within national parks should be designed in layers based on age, income, and other factors, and spaces should be controlled at different levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological Conservation and Socioeconomic Development, 2nd Edition)
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33 pages, 2141 KB  
Article
An Empirical Study Using a Structural Equation Model to Examine the Multiple Driving Mechanisms of Farmers’ Conservation Practices in the Communities Around Nature Reserves in China
by Zihan Wang, Ao Li, Haifei Liu and Changhai Wang
Land 2025, 14(12), 2353; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14122353 - 30 Nov 2025
Viewed by 546
Abstract
This study employed a structural equation model to explore the multiple driving mechanisms of ecological protection behaviors of farmers in the surrounding nature reserves. Using field survey data from 400 households across eight nature reserves in Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces and applying a [...] Read more.
This study employed a structural equation model to explore the multiple driving mechanisms of ecological protection behaviors of farmers in the surrounding nature reserves. Using field survey data from 400 households across eight nature reserves in Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces and applying a structural equation model (SEM), this study finds farmers’ perceptions of objective environmental improvement exert the strongest direct influence on protective behaviors, whereas the direct effect of subjective attitude, though significant, is comparatively weaker. This article also reveals that social norms not only directly shape protective attitudes but also indirectly promote protective behaviors through attitude mediation. Although the perceived benefits of ecological compensation benefits can significantly enhance farmers’ protective attitudes, a complete intermediary chain has not been established. It is worth noting that the impact of perceived costs on both attitudes and behaviors did not passed the significance test. This study confirmed the effectiveness of the “normal–attitude–behavior” transmission pathway and, at the same time, revealed that environmental improvement mainly influences behavior through direct paths rather than attitude mediators. This result provides a scientific basis for optimizing ecological compensation policies, emphasizing that a long-term mechanism for ecological and environmental protection should be established by combining environmental monitoring feedback with community standardized construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological Conservation and Socioeconomic Development, 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 2199 KB  
Article
Economic Resilience as a Mediator: Assessing the Impact of China’s Grazing Withdrawal Project on Herders’ Well-Being in the Yellow River Source Region
by Cuizhen Xia, Lihua Zhou, Xiaodong Pei and Ya Wang
Land 2025, 14(11), 2108; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14112108 - 23 Oct 2025
Viewed by 458
Abstract
Investigating how China’s most extensive grassland conservation program, the Grazing Withdrawal Project, impacts herders’ resilience and welfare levels is crucial for promoting sustainable grassland protection and enabling herders to withstand external shocks. However, few empirical studies have linked policy measures, economic resilience, and [...] Read more.
Investigating how China’s most extensive grassland conservation program, the Grazing Withdrawal Project, impacts herders’ resilience and welfare levels is crucial for promoting sustainable grassland protection and enabling herders to withstand external shocks. However, few empirical studies have linked policy measures, economic resilience, and subjective well-being. Based on 266 questionnaires from the Yellow River Source Region, we constructed an indicator system for evaluating economic resilience and employed multiple linear regression to explore the key variables affecting herders’ economic resilience and subjective well-being under the context of the project and to clarify the mediating effect of resilience in translating government interventions into enhanced welfare. The results reveal that households in the Yellow River Source Region were characterized by “low economic resilience yet high subjective well-being.” Among the three resilience dimensions, recovery capacity and reorganization capacities were comparatively weak. Economic resilience had a significant positive impact on herders’ well-being, partially mediating the relationship between policy variables and subjective well-being. Compared with other policy measures, subsidy adequacy and emergency support remained the primary drivers of subjective well-being. Future policy should innovate a diversified subsidy regime that maintains herders’ subjective well-being while making up for the shortcomings of reorganization capacity, thereby securing the sustainability of livelihoods alongside ecological conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological Conservation and Socioeconomic Development, 2nd Edition)
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24 pages, 11317 KB  
Article
Rural Property Subdivision: Land Use Change Patterns and Water Rights Around Cerro Castillo National Park, Chilean Patagonia
by Andrés Adiego, Trace Gale, Luis Alberto Longares Aladrén, Andrea Báez-Montenegro and Ángela Hernández-Moreno
Land 2025, 14(9), 1877; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091877 - 13 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1484
Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic pressures under global change scenarios, with surrounding land subdivision and land use/land cover change (LULCC) dynamics often undermining their conservation goals and intensifying demand for basic services such as water availability. This study analyzed the [...] Read more.
Protected areas (PAs) are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic pressures under global change scenarios, with surrounding land subdivision and land use/land cover change (LULCC) dynamics often undermining their conservation goals and intensifying demand for basic services such as water availability. This study analyzed the buffer zone around Cerro Castillo National Park in Chilean Patagonia to assess the evolution of rural private properties, considering their subdivision, LULCC, and legal water demand dynamics. Using cadastral records, Landsat 8 imagery, and official water rights databases, we quantified property subdivision and analyzed LULCC and water rights distribution patterns through spatial overlap analysis. Results indicate a nearly fourfold increase in subdivisions between 2011 and 2023, with 304 properties divided into 3237 units occupying 43.7% of the private land area. LULCC analysis revealed a net recovery of native forest (+10%) alongside notable increases in urban coverage (+152%) and exotic plantations (+245%). Legal water demand almost doubled, with 68% of consumptive rights concentrated in subdivided properties. These findings highlight property subdivision as an important factor influencing socioecological change in the territories that surround PAs. We argue that subdivision dynamics can serve as an early indicator for anticipating land use pressures and can complement integrated landscape-scale planning, consistent with the transformative change approaches advocated by international biodiversity frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological Conservation and Socioeconomic Development, 2nd Edition)
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