Search Results (90)

Land consolidation (LC) is a sustainability-oriented policy tool designed to address land fragmentation, inefficient spatial organization, and ecological degradation in rural areas. This research proposes a Production–Living–Ecological (PLE) spatial utilization efficiency evaluation system, based on an integrated methodological framework combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Entropy Weight Method (EWM), Attribute-Weighting Method (AWM), Linear Weighted Sum Method (LWSM), Threshold-Verification Coefficient Method (TVCM), Jenks Natural Breaks (JNB) classification, and the Obstacle Degree Model (ODM). The framework is applied to Qian County, located in the Guanzhong Plain in Shaanxi Province. The results reveal three key findings: (1) PLE efficiency exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity. Production efficiency shows a spatial pattern characterized by high values in the central region that gradually decrease toward the surrounding areas. In contrast, the living efficiency demonstrates higher values in the eastern and western regions, while remaining relatively low in the central area. Moreover, ecological efficiency shows a marked advantage in the northern region, indicating a distinct south–north gradient. (2) Integrated efficiency consolidation potential zones present distinct spatial distributions. Preliminary consolidation zones are primarily located in the western region; priority zones are concentrated in the south; and intensive consolidation zones are clustered in the central and southeastern areas, with sporadic distributions in the west and north. (3) Five primary obstacle factors hinder land use efficiency: intensive utilization of production land (PC1), agricultural land reutilization intensity (PC2), livability of living spaces (PC4), ecological space security (PC7), and ecological space fragmentation (PC8). These findings provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for formulating tar-gated LC strategies, optimizing rural spatial structures, and advancing sustainable development in similar regions. Full article

The exploration of the coupling trend between urban agglomeration development (UAD) and land surface temperature (LST) expansion is of great significance, and it is of scientific value for the regulation of the thermal environment of urban agglomerations, the optimization of urban spatial planning, and the achievement of sustainable urban development. This study employs an array of remote sensing datasets from multiple sources—employing a multi-faceted approach encompassing an overall coupling situation analysis model, a coordination and evaluation system, a geographically weighted spatial autocorrelation algorithm, and landscape pattern quantification indicators—to explore the mutual feedback mechanism and spatial coupling characterization of LST and UAD in the Guanzhong Plain Urban Agglomeration (GZPUA). The results of the study can provide data support for urban spatial planning and thermal environment regulation. The results indicate the following findings: (1) In the GZPUA, the nighttime light (NTL) and land surface temperature (LST) centroids show a significant tendency toward approaching one another, with a spatial offset decreasing from 45.0 km to 9.1 km at the end, indicating a strengthening trend in the photothermal system’s coupling synergy. (2) The coordination of light and heat in the study area exhibits significant non-equilibrium development, with a dynamic trend of urban development space shifting towards the southwest. It confirms the typical regional response law of rapid urbanization. (3) The Moran’s I index of the photothermal system in the study area increased from 0.289 to 0.335, an increase of 15.9%. The proportion of “high–high” (H-H)/“low–low” (L-L)-type regions with clustering distribution of cold and hot spots reaches 58.01%, and their spatial continuity characteristics are significantly enhanced, indicating a significant trend of spatial structural integration between urban heat island effect and construction land expansion. Full article

The rural population shrinkage caused by China’s imbalanced regional development poses challenges to infrastructure configuration and operation. Traditional centralized sewage treatment models face issues in cost-effectiveness, facility utilization rates, and sustainable maintenance, necessitating the exploration of adaptive governance technologies under new demographic conditions. The utilization-driven governance approach is recognized as an emerging method for rural domestic sewage management. This study selects Heyang County, a representative agricultural area in Guanzhong Plain, as a case study. Through mixed-methods research integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches, we analyze the correlation between the Population Shrinkage Index (PSI) and facility operational efficiency, investigate the impact of resident population dynamics on rural sewage treatment patterns, and establish a theoretical “Source–Transmission–Sink” framework. Synthesizing local traditional governance practices with modern technological solutions, we propose a resource-oriented treatment system adapted to population shrinkage trends, comprising three technical components: source process reduction, transmission process interception, and sink process attenuation. This research emphasizes adjusting green water infrastructure (GWI) spatial configurations according to village characteristics in production–living–ecological spaces, forming a hierarchical attenuation mechanism through circular transmission pathways. This facilitates the transition from gray-infrastructure-dependent models to holistic pollution control systems with resource recovery capabilities. The findings provide theoretical foundations for policymaking and infrastructure planning in rural sewage management, offering significant references for sustainable rural water resource governance. Full article

This study incorporated ecological footprint (EF) consumption into a framework to assess ecological well-being. A model and implementation framework for characterizing regional net ecological well-being were then developed. Using the Guanzhong Plain Urban Agglomeration (GPUA) as a case study, land use data from 2000 to 2020 were utilized to calculate the ecosystem service value (ESV), representing the supply side of regional ecological functions. Simultaneously, the regional EF consumption was assessed as the demand side. Taking into account the level of regional economic development and the characteristics of people’s living, a regional net ecological well-being evaluation model was constructed to arrive at a deficit or surplus ecological situation. The results indicated that: (1) The overall ESV of the GPUA follows a trend of initial growth followed by a decline. Woodland, grassland, and farmland are the main contributors to the total ESV, with regulating and supporting services accounting for more than 80% of the total ecosystem value. (2) EF consumption in the GPUA shows a significant upward trend, increasing by over 70% on average. The level of ecological carrying capacity has slightly increased, with the biologically productive area that can support human activities expanding to 1909.49 million hectares. Additionally, the carrying capacity of the urban agglomeration cities has tended to stabilize since 2015. (3) Since 2010, anthropogenic consumption in the GPUA has continued to exceed the regional ecological capacity, resulting in an ecological well-being deficit. The average ecological well-being compensation per hectare in the urban agglomeration increased from 35.588 CNY to 187.110 CNY. This study offers a theoretical foundation for expanding the definition and research framework of regional ecological well-being by providing a more accurate assessment of regional ecological service supply and consumption at multiple scales. It is expected that this approach will help reduce the opportunity costs associated with ecological protection, while promoting a balanced approach to economic development and ecological preservation. Full article

The Guanzhong–Tianshui economic zone is a strategic link in China’s Belt and Road network, faces the contradiction between ecological protection and economic development, and urgently needs to construct an ecological security pattern based on ecosystem services to permit sustainable development. In this study, we evaluated the ecological services of net primary productivity (NPP), water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), habitat quality (HQ), and food production (FP). We explored the trade-offs and synergies between services using correlation analysis and geographically weighted regression and constructed an ecological security pattern through circuit theory. NPP, WY, SC, and FP increased during the study period, whereas HQ decreased. The NPP × WY, WY × SC, and WY × HQ shifted from synergies to trade-offs; NPP × SC, NPP × HQ, and SC × HQ were always synergies; NPP × FP, SC × FP, and FP × HQ were always trade-offs; and WY × FP shifted from trade-offs to synergies. We selected service bundles with significant synergies among NPP, SC, and HQ as ecological sources, which were mainly in the Qinling and Weibei mountains, comprising 47 ecological patches. We identified 58 ecological corridors, 330.83 km² of pinch points, and 401.30 km² of barriers, which form a mesh structure covering the study area, proposing a development pattern of six zones and one belt. Our results provide a framework for ecological protection and restoration, which may serve as a scientific foundation for upcoming regional land management initiatives. Full article

During the Middle-to-Late Neolithic period (7000–3800 BP), Shaanxi Province served as a critical juncture in the transmission of crops. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum), and rice (Oryza sativa) spread westwards into the Gansu–Qinghai region and southwards into the Sichuan basin, whilst wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) were transmitted through the Shaanxi region to the middle and lower Yellow River regions. Neolithic settlements are found in all three of the main geomorphic settings in Shaanxi: the Loess Plateau, plains, and mountainous areas. While the extent to which crop diffusion and distribution were influenced by environmental changes has previously been highlighted, the strategies of crop utilization in different geomorphic contexts have not been specified. Based on crop-remains data from 33 archaeological sites in Shaanxi, this study uses statistical modeling and ArcGIS-based spatial analysis to investigate prehistoric crop utilization in Shaanxi during the Neolithic period and its environmental determinants. Our results indicate the following: (1) The dominant crops in the Neolithic Shaanxi were foxtail millet and broomcorn millet, with the proportion of foxtail millet increasing over time. (2) The Guanzhong Plain was the earliest region in Shaanxi to adopt millet and rice (~7000–3800 BP). Subsequently, millet and rice had influenced the Qinba Mountains by ~5000 BP at the latest. By ~3800 BP, millet had affected the entire northern Shaanxi Plateau, with rice only found at the Shimao site around 4000 BP. Finally, wheat and barley influenced the Guanzhong region and the Qinba region in Shaanxi around 4000 BP. In addition, rice, wheat, and barley mainly enhanced agricultural diversity in the Guanzhong Plain and Qinba Mountains but had limited impact in the Northern Plateau, where cattle and sheep have enriched subsistence strategies since about 4500 BP. (3) Environmental factors affected the distribution of crops to different extents—elevation and river proximity had minimal effects on foxtail millet and broomcorn millet but significantly influenced the presence of rice, wheat, and barley. These factors led to a spatial pattern where millet dominated in the Northern Plateau, while the Guanzhong Plain and Qinba Mountains developed mixed farming systems incorporating all four seed types. This study provides new insights into the environmental mechanisms influencing crop diffusion and prehistoric human adaptation during the Neolithic period in Shaanxi. Full article

The Yellow River Basin is a critical region for ecological environment protection and social and economic development in China. It is of great significance to study vegetation dynamics for the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. In this study, based on the data of NDVI and precipitation datasets in the growing season (June to September) from 2000 to 2019, we used a Sen+Mann–Kendall trend analysis and other methods to study the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of precipitation and vegetation cover in the Shaanxi section of the Yellow River Basin and to assess the regional vegetation quality change characteristics based on estimating the rain-use efficiency (RUE). The results show the following: (1) The precipitation in the study area showed a spatial distribution pattern of more in the south and less in the north, in which Yulin City had the lowest precipitation overall, but it was an area with significant increasing precipitation. (2) The NDVI value of the Shaanxi section of the Yellow River Basin showed an overall upward trend from 2000 to 2019, with a growth rate of 0.327/10a. The vegetation cover showed the spatial characteristics of high in the south and low in the north, which showed that the vegetation growth condition was poor in the wind-sand grassland area at the southern edge of the Mu Us Sandland in the northwestern part of Yulin City and the construction areas in the Guanzhong Plain. Meanwhile, the vegetation grew well in Yan’an City and the area close to the Qinba Mountains. Moreover, the NDVI of the study area increased with the increase in precipitation. (3) The vegetation quality in the study area showed fluctuating interannual changes and a weak upward trend. More than 80% of the vegetation in the study area was in a state of improvement, and the areas with more significant improvement were mainly located in the northern part of the study area, while the vegetation was degraded in the urban and urban suburb areas in the Guanzhong Plain. The results of this study are of great practical significance for promoting the socio-economic development of the Yellow River Basin in coordination with ecological environmental protection. Full article

Urban agglomerations are pivotal to industrial co-agglomeration, underscoring the significance of efficient road networks and economic growth. This study examines the spatial spillover effects of infrastructure resilience on industrial co-agglomeration at varying mobility levels in the Guanzhong Plain, China, utilizing origin–destination (OD) and traffic flow networks in highways. Guanzhong contributes 88% of the GDP and covers 25% of land, and its prime location was the initial point of the ancient Silk Road in China. Our analysis yields several novel insights. Industrial co-agglomeration displays negative (from −0.175 to −0.207) spatial autocorrelation among neighboring regions, indicating pronounced regional competition. In the OD network, both connectivity and efficiency resilience positively influence (0.189 and 0.397) local industrial co-agglomeration but adversely affect connected regions (−0.383 and –0.915), with the impact of efficiency resilience increasing at higher mobility levels. The highway network intensifies spatial spillover effects and exacerbates competition and disparities in industrial co-agglomeration across counties. The network resilience of highways exhibits distinct spatial distribution patterns, with critical nodes concentrated along the central economic axis of the urban agglomeration. Furthermore, the influence of highway network resilience on industrial co-agglomeration varies between OD and traffic flow networks, which implies different impacts under some mobility scenarios. These findings advance our understanding of the intricate relationship between road networks and industrial co-agglomeration, offering valuable insights for crafting balanced regional development strategies and informing transportation planning to foster local and regional coordination. Full article

Urban agglomeration (UA) is a highly developed spatial form of urban complex, which is one of the important carriers of regional economic cooperation, international industrial division of labor, and flow of capital and information elements. In China, urban agglomerations (UAs) have become the spatial subject of the national new-type urbanization strategy since the early 21st century and have made irreplaceable contributions to China’s urbanization and economic development. The Guanzhong Plain urban agglomeration (GPUA) is an important economic growth pole in northwest China and a key node in China’s open-door pattern. Exploring the spatial and temporal characteristics and driving factors of its economic development will be an important revelation for the promotion of high-quality economic development of the GPUA. This paper characterizes the level of economic development of GPUA with a long series of nighttime light data between 2002 and 2022. The standard deviation ellipse, spatial autocorrelation analysis, the economic difference index, and grey correlation analysis are used to analyze the characteristics of spatio-temporal evolution, internal diversity, and driving factors of economic development of the GPUA. The results show that the economic development level of the GPUA continued to increase from 2002 to 2022. The spatial distribution of the GPUA economy is “northeast-southwest” axial distribution, and the center of gravity of economic development gradually moves westward. The differences in the level of economic development within the GPUA show a typical core–periphery structure, but the degree of difference tends to weaken over time. The internal expansion force and economic promotion force were the dominant factors for the economic development of the GPUA in the early years. However, with the passage of time, scientific and technological support and government support have gradually become the main influencing factors for the economic development of the GPUA nowadays. Full article

Rapid urbanization poses a serious threat to China’s ecological security. However, the current single-spatio-temporal-scenario ecological network constructed based on the current situation of natural resources and land use ignores the dynamic changes in network and urban development, and its stability and connectivity lack verification feedback. On the basis of constructing the existing ecological network, the paper forecasts the expansion of future urban land use and optimizes the overall ecological network of the study area from three aspects: ecological source areas, corridors, and ecological nodes. The results showed the following: (1) From 1990 to 2020, a large amount of forest land in the Guanzhong region was converted into cultivated land, while a large amount of cultivated land was converted into urban land, and the same applies to 2020–2050. From 1990 to 2050, the overall habitat quality in the Guanzhong region shows a downward trend, exhibiting a gradual decrease from the center towards the edges. (2) The ecological source area in the Guanzhong region decreases by 775.38 km², and the number of potential ecological corridors increases, but their length decreases by 1.75 km. The overall connectivity of the ecological network during the two periods is not high, and the degree of network closure is relatively low. (3) Comparative analysis before and after optimization shows that the optimized ecological network has greater ecological stability and landscape connectivity. In other words, the optimized ecological network can supplement and improve the original ecological network, thereby making it more sustainable and in line with the regional characteristics of the study area. Full article

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) is an important grain production base, and exploring the spatiotemporal heterogeneity and driving factors of soil erosion in the YRB is of great significance to the ecological environment and sustainable agricultural development. In this study, we employed the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in conjunction with Transport-Limited Sediment Delivery (TLSD) to explore a modified RUSLE-TLSD for use assessing net water erosion. This modification was performed using sediment data, and the explanatory power of driving factors was assessed utilizing an optimal parameters-based geographical detector (OPGD). The results demonstrated that the modified RUSLE-TLSD can accurately simulate the spatiotemporal distribution of net water erosion (NSE = 0.5766; R² = 0.6708). From 2000 to 2020, the net water erosion modulus in the YRB ranged between 1.62 and 5.33 t/(ha·a). Specifically, the net water erosion modulus decreased in the YRB and the middle reaches of the YRB (MYRB), but it increased in the upper reaches of the YRB (UYRB). The erosion occurred mainly in the Loess Plateau region, while the deposition occurred mainly in the Hetao Plain and Guanzhong Plain. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and slope emerged as significant driving factors, and their interaction explained 31.36% of YRB net water erosion. In addition, the redistribution of precipitation by vegetation and the slope weakened the impact of precipitation on the spatial pattern of net water erosion. This study provides a reference, offering insights to aid in the development of soil erosion control strategies within the YRB. Full article

This study examined the decline of traditional villages due to urbanization, focusing on their spatial patterns and architectural characteristics in China, particularly in the Guanzhong region. Using ArcGIS tools, kernel density and nearest-neighbor analyses quantitatively assessed the spatial distribution of these villages at macro- and micro-levels. Additionally, 3D laser scanning was employed to qualitatively analyze architectural features. The study demonstrated that (1) traditional villages are unevenly clustered nationwide, primarily in the southeast and southwest, creating a “three cores and multiple points” spatial pattern. (2) In the Guanzhong region, traditional village distribution also shows clustering with diverse patterns, including regiment, belt, and point formations. Higher densities are found in the eastern and northern regions, while the west and south are sparsely populated. Most villages are located at altitudes of 501–700 m, on slopes of 6–15°, and near water sources. (3) The basic residential structures in Guanzhong included the single, vertical multi-entry, and horizontal coupled courtyards, as well as the vertical and horizontal interleaved layouts; these buildings typically featured the foundations and walls made of earth, stone, and brick, combined with various wooden frames and single- or double-sloped roofs. This study overcomes the limitations of the traditional literature and field surveys by quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing the spatial patterns of traditional villages and the architectural forms of residential buildings from an architectural perspective. It graphically presents the data to provide an efficient and practical theoretical basis for the heritage preservation and development of traditional villages. Full article

Drought, as a natural disaster with wide-ranging impacts and long duration, has an adverse effect on the global economy and ecosystems. In this paper, four remote sensing drought indices, namely the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI), Vegetation Supply Water Index (VSWI), Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), are selected for drought analysis. The correlation analysis is carried out with the self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (sc-PDSI), and based on the optimal index (CWSI), the spatiotemporal characteristics of drought in Shaanxi Province from 2001 to 2021 were studied by SEN trend analysis, Mann–Kendall test, and a center of gravity migration model. The results show that (1) the CWSI performs best in drought monitoring in Shaanxi Province and is suitable for drought studies in this region. (2) Drought in Shaanxi Province shows a decreasing trend from 2001 to 2021; the main manifestation of this phenomenon is the decrease in the occurrence of severe drought, with severe drought covering less than 10% of the area in 2010 and subsequent years. The most severely affected regions in the province are the northern Loess Plateau region and Guanzhong Plain region. In terms of the overall trend, only 0.21% of the area shows an increase in drought, primarily concentrated in the Guanzhong Plain region and the outskirts of the Qinling–Bashan mountainous region. (3) Drought conditions are generally improving, with the droughts’ center of gravity moving northeastward at a rate of 3.31 km per year. The results of this paper can provide a theoretical basis and a practical reference for drought control and decision-making in Shaanxi Province. Full article

The significant increase in ambient ozone (O₃) levels across China highlights the urgent need to investigate the sources and mechanisms driving regional O₃ events, particularly in densely populated urban areas. This study focuses on Xi’an, located in northwestern China on the Guanzhong Plain near the Qinling Mountains, where the unique topography contributes to pollutant accumulation. Urbanization and industrial activities have significantly increased pollutant emissions. Utilizing the Weather Research and Forecasting–Community Multiscale Air Quality Model (WRF-CMAQ), we analyzed the contributions of specific regional and industrial sources to rising O₃ levels, particularly during an atypical winter event characterized by unusually high concentrations. Our findings indicated that boundary conditions were the primary contributor to elevated O₃ levels during this event. Notably, Xianyang and Baoji accounted for 30% and 22% of the increased O₃ levels in Xi’an, respectively. Additionally, residential sources and transportation accounted for 31% and 28% of the O₃ increase. Within the Xi’an metropolitan area, Baqiao District (18–27%) and Weiyang District (23–30%) emerged as leading contributors. The primary industries contributing to this rise included residential sources (28–37%) and transportation (35–43%). These insights underscore the need for targeted regulatory measures to mitigate O₃ pollution in urban settings. Full article

To ascertain the effects of conventional hydrochemical components on the presence of endogenous fine loess particles (EFLPs) in groundwater over loess regions, Na⁺, NO₃⁻ and Cu²⁺, as conventional hydrochemical components, were employed in batch tests with EFLPs from a typical loess as aquifer media in Guanzhong Plain, China. The results showed that EFLPs had high zeta potential (ζ) and remained suspended over 40 h, indicating their good dispersity and potential to be suspended in groundwater. ζ was employed to replace electrostatic repulsion in the DLVO equation to determine the critical coagulation concentrations for Cu(NO₃)₂ and NaF as 0.1 mmol/L and 50 mmol/L for 1.1 µm D₅₀ EFLPs, which were almost consistent with the batch test results and greater than those in the groundwater, respectively, further implying that EFLPs are likely to be suspended in groundwater. The multi-factor tests showed that the key factors including particle size, hydro-chemical component and concentration interacted with each other and their relative magnitudes varied in the test processes, where the effects of concentration strengthened while those of the component weakened. So, hydrogeochemical conditions were beneficial to the suspension of EFLPs and the benefit got strong along the groundwater flow path, which is conducive to the cotransport of EFLPs with pollutants in groundwater over loess regions. Full article