Search Results (150)

The growth of rural residents’ disposable income is essential for narrowing the income gap between urban and rural areas and promoting integrated development. This study explores how China’s National Main Functional Zoning Plan influences rural household income through its regulatory impact on construction land expansion. Using data from county−level administrative units across China, the research identified the construction land regulation index as a key mediating variable linking zoning policy to changes in household income. By shifting the analytical perspective from a traditional urban–rural classification to a framework aligned with the National Main Functional Zoning Plan, the study reveals how spatial planning tools, particularly differentiated land quota allocations, influence household income. The empirical results confirm a structured causal chain in which zoning policy affects land development intensity, which in turn drives rural income growth. This relationship varies across different functional zones. In key development zones, strict land control limits income potential by constraining land supply. In main agricultural production zones, moderate regulatory control enhances land use efficiency and contributes to higher income levels. In key ecological function zones, ecological constraints require diverse approaches to value realization. The investigation contributes both theoretical and practical insights by elucidating the microeconomic effects of national spatial planning policies and offering actionable guidance for optimizing land use regulation to support income growth tailored to regional functions. Full article

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

Although measurements of urban shrinkage in China have received much attention, most have relied on statistical yearbook data based on political–administrative city boundaries, and remote-sensing-based quantification is mainly one-dimensional. This has caused problems in incorporating rural areas and spatiotemporal inconsistencies, as well as an inadequate understanding, which has subsequently resulted in an inaccurate shrinkage identification. This study merely utilized the latest multisensory and time-series remote sensing data, including nighttime light, land use, and population grids, to quantify the spatiotemporal patterns of multidimensional shrinkage based on the county-level urban entity mapping of Yangtze River Delta urban agglomerations (YRD-UAs) from 2003 to 2023. County-level urban entities were acquired from a pioneering mapping effort that utilized city-specific commuting distance and land use maps. The results demonstrated that urban entities in 215 counties grew at a generally slowing pace. The degree of economic, population, and space shrinkage was mainly slight, and the shrinking trajectory was dominated by temporary shrinkage. Most counties experienced population shrinkage in their coastal-oriented distribution, whereas economic shrinkage affected the fewest counties, with the lowest spatial clustering occurring northward. Population shrinkage also displayed the highest spatial autocorrelation, but its agglomeration weakened against space shrinkage clustering. This study concluded that the exclusive utilization of remote sensing products to measure urban-entity-based multidimensional shrinkage reduced the uncertainty associated with rural area inclusion and resulted in satisfactory assessment accuracy. The spatiotemporal patterns of multidimensional shrinkage suggested strengthening ecological land allocation within urban entities across the entire region, implementing polycentric development strategies in the north, as well as enhancing county-level economic governance in the northwest. This study presents a spatiotemporally comparable methodology for quantifying the multidimensional shrinking of county-level urban entities at a large scale and contributes to further optimizing the developments of YRD-UAs. Full article

Arid and semi-arid regions serve as crucial ecological barriers in China, making the spatiotemporal evolution of their ecological environmental quality (EEQ) scientifically significant. This study developed a Modified Remote Sensing Ecological Index (MRSEI) by innovatively integrating the Comprehensive Salinity Indicator (CSI) into the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) and applied it to systematically evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution of EEQ (2014–2023) in Yinchuan City, a typical arid region of northwest China along the upper Yellow River. The study revealed the spatiotemporal evolution patterns through the Theil–Sen (T-S) estimator and Mann–Kendall (M-K) test, and adopted the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) combined with the Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) to quantify the contributions of ten natural and anthropogenic driving factors. The results suggest that (1) the MRSEI outperformed the RSEI, showing 0.41% higher entropy and 5.63% greater contrast, better characterizing the arid region’s heterogeneity. (2) The EEQ showed marked spatial heterogeneity. High-quality areas are concentrated in the Helan Mountains and the integrated urban/rural development demonstration zone, while the core functional zone of the provincial capital, the Helan Mountains ecological corridor, and the eastern eco-economic pilot zone showed lower EEQ. (3) A total of 87.92% of the area (7609.23 km²) remained stable with no significant changes. Notably, degraded areas (934.52 km², 10.80%) exceeded improved zones (111.04 km², 1.28%), demonstrating an overall ecological deterioration trend. (4) This study applied LightGBM with SHAP to analyze the driving factors of EEQ. The results demonstrated that Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) was the predominant driver, contributing 41.52%, followed by the Digital Elevation Model (DEM, 18.26%) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP, 12.63%). This study offers a novel framework for arid ecological monitoring, supporting evidence-based conservation and sustainable development in the Yellow River Basin. Full article

Balancing ecological conservation and rural livelihoods in protected areas remains a global challenge, particularly under strict land use regulations and economic development constraints. Territorial spatial planning (TSP) in an ecological function area (EFA) faces constraints such as land use restrictions, ecological redlines, and economic development limits. This study investigates how ecological land resources influence farmers’ incomes in ecological function areas (EFAs), with a focus on the moderating role of advanced livelihoods (ALI). Using an integrated Fixed-Effects–SVM–Genetic Algorithm framework, we quantify nonlinear policy-livelihood interactions and simulate multi-scenario governmental interventions (e.g., ecological investment, returning farmland to forest/RFF) across Beijing’s EFA, which can obtain the key findings as follows: (a) Ecological land resources have a significant positive effect on farmers’ incomes due to production-manner adjustment guided by governmental green strategy and corresponding TSP in an ecological restoration area of an EFA, while they have a non-significant impact in the core ecological reserve areas on account of the strict environmental protection restrictions on economic activities. (b) Differences in financial support between lower and higher economic development zones can bring about adverse impact results on farmers’ incomes in an EFA. (c) ALI significantly amplifies the positive impact of ecological land use on farmers’ incomes, demonstrating its critical role in bridging ecological and economic goals. (d) Sensitivity analysis results under RFF, targeted government investment, and ALI can maximize income gains through policy interaction from the government and farmer sides jointly. The above obtained results are beneficial to balance ecological protection and economic interests of farmers’ sustainably in an EFA. Full article

Agricultural modernization is the key path and core strategy for the transformation from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture, and it constitutes the cornerstone of China’s modernization system. Gansu Province is a typical ecologically fragile area, and a multi-ethnic province in the northwest of China. In recent years, through the application of efficient water-saving technologies, the industrialization of characteristic agriculture and institutional innovation, it has initially achieved the coordinated increase in production and ecological benefits. However, the lagging infrastructure and low efficiency of factor allocation still restrict its systematic transformation process. Based on the panel data of 14 prefectures and cities in Gansu Province from 2013 to 2022, this paper constructs an evaluation index system for agricultural modernization, and reveals the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of agricultural modernization in Gansu Province. Further, this paper combines the Theil index and the obstacle degree model to analyze the regional differences and development bottlenecks of agricultural modernization in Gansu Province. The research finds that the overall level of agricultural modernization in Gansu Province has improved but is still in a stage of continuous development. Spatially, the western and central regions have a higher level of development, while the southern region is relatively lower. The time series analysis results show that the overall regional differences in agricultural modernization in Gansu Province have narrowed. From 2013 to 2018, the differences within the regions were dominant; after 2018, they were jointly affected by both within-region and between-region differences. The results of the obstacle factor analysis show that the modernization of agricultural industrial operation is the main obstacle factor, followed by the green modernization of agriculture. Based on these findings, this paper proposes suggestions such as strengthening regional coordination, enhancing production and operation capabilities, and promoting ecological construction. It is expected that, through the continuous development of the level of agricultural modernization, the coordinated development of agricultural modernization in Gansu Province can be promoted, and further, the well-being of the people can be enhanced, and the rural revitalization strategy can be advanced in depth. Full article

Amid global climate warming, agricultural low-carbon transition is critical for ecological governance. In China’s ecologically fragile contiguous karst areas of Yunnan–Guizhou, intensifying rural population decline poses unique challenges to emission reduction. This study analyzes population and agricultural production data from 25 cities (prefectures) (2013–2022) to quantify rural population decline rates and agricultural carbon emission efficiency. We map their spatiotemporal evolution patterns, apply spatial autocorrelation models to assess spatial dependencies, and investigate mechanisms through a mediation model integrated with agricultural modernization’s three core systems: industrial, production, and management. Key findings reveal (1) divergent trajectories of carbon emission efficiency across regions with varying population decline types; (2) a global Moran’s I of −0.3519, indicating significant negative spatial correlation between population decline intensity and emission efficiency; and (3) dual impact mechanisms where population decline directly alters emission efficiency and indirectly modulates it through interactions with agricultural systems, with mechanism heterogeneity across decline patterns. To reconcile carbon reduction and agricultural growth, region-specific strategies must align population decline gradients with dynamic adjustments to agricultural systems, ensuring synchronized demographic transition and modernization. Full article

Amid global rural tourism growth and rural revitalization policies, traditional villages’ resource protection and tourism development have drawn international academic attention. To guide villages’ resource planning and management, this study constructed an evaluation index system of cultural, ecological, industrial, talent, and organizational amenities in traditional villages from the perspective of tourists’ perceptions using grounded theory and measured the spatial agglomeration differences, synergistic effects and their influencing factors of traditional village amenities by using location entropy, spatial autocorrelation, and gray correlation degree analysis. The results show that (1) the spatial distributions of cultural, ecological, industrial, and organizational amenities are more balanced, while talent amenities exhibit a more concentrated distribution. (2) The spatial concentration of amenities in traditional villages has a strong positive spatial correlation, the agglomeration level of the high-high type of concentration is distributed in clusters, the low–low type tends to be contiguous, and the low–high type is distributed sporadically around the high–high type; significant synergy between ecological and industrial amenities, and organizations play a supportive role in the spatial agglomeration of cultural, ecological, ecological and talent amenities. (3) Gross regional product, slope, and distance to 3A and above scenic spots significantly influence the spatial agglomeration of amenities. This study provides reference for the sustainable development of traditional villages from the perspectives of exerting agglomeration and radiation effects, synergistically promoting villages’ development, constructing the memory symbol system, and integrating the resource structural system based on the spatial agglomeration difference characteristics of traditional village amenities. Full article

An urban–rural–natural imbalance is evident; investigating the spatiotemporal evolution of the transitional geo-space (TG) between them facilitates the integration of urban–rural land use planning. In this study, we proposed a complex system model to explore the interactive dynamics between the social–economic systems and natural ecosystems of Changning County, Southwest China, with the TG being identified and classified across the two systems. Based on a three-dimensional “direction–speed–pattern” framework, we further quantified production–living–ecological space (PLE) changes and examined the impacts of these changes on the TG from 2000 to 2022. The results are as follows: (1) The TG was classified into five categories that were stratified according to the coupling intensity and orientation of the socioeconomic system and natural ecosystems in Changning County. (2) The transition type with the most complex socio-ecological coupling was the type of semi-socioeconomic process–semi-natural ecological process, occupying 32.6% (309.4 km²) of the county’s total area in 2000 and demonstrating the most pronounced spatial dynamics, exhibiting a reduction of 78.6 km² during the study period. (3) Negative impacts on TG dynamics were observed for the conversion of ecological space into agricultural production space (p < 0.01; R² > 0.24) and the dynamic degree of PLE transformations (p < 0.01; R² > 0.13). (4) The impacts of trends in PLE on the TG varied significantly across temporal phases, whereas the CONTAG index exhibited consistently non-significant effects throughout all study periods. This study provides a new insight into understanding the optimization of spatial development patterns in urban–rural–natural regions and offers theoretical support for the governance of national land space and high-quality economic and social development in mountainous areas. Full article

Urban–rural fringe areas are critical transition zones where ecological functions and human activities interact intensely, often leading to complex spatial patterns and trade-offs among ecosystem services (ESs). Understanding these patterns and their socio-ecological drivers across multiple spatial scales is essential for sustainable land-use planning and ecosystem management. This study, using the urban–rural fringe (URF) of Beijing as an example, quantified eight representative ecosystem services at the 1 km grid, 3 km grid, and township scales. It employed hotspot analysis, Moran’s Index, and the Spearman correlation to analyze trade-offs and synergies (TOSs) among ESs. The study also applied a self-organizing map and the NbClust function to identify and determine the optimal number of ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) for ecological functional zoning. Redundancy analysis was used to explore the impacts of six socio-ecological drivers on the spatial distribution of ESs. The results revealed the following: (1) The spatial distribution of ESs in Beijing’s URF exhibits clustering and cross-scale variations, with spatial clustering intensifying as the scale expands. (2) TOSs among ESs vary in strength and direction across the three spatial scales. (3) The primary drivers of TOSs at all three scales are the normalized vegetation index and annual precipitation. (4) Based on the supply intensity of various ESs, the study area was classified into four types of ESBs across the three scales: ecologically restricted areas, food production areas, ecologically balanced areas, and high-quality ecological areas. The township scale is more conducive to planning and management, while the 1 km and 3 km grid scales are more helpful for understanding the relationship between land use and ESs. Full article

This study investigates the hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic responses of Ugii Lake—a freshwater body in semi-arid Central Mongolia—to climate variability and anthropogenic pressures. Seasonal field surveys conducted during the spring, summer, and fall of 2023–2024 revealed notable spatial and temporal variation in water quality, with pH ranging from 7.54 to 8.87, EC from 316 to 645 µS/cm, and turbidity between 0.36 and 5.76 NTU. Total dissolved solids (TDS) values and ionic compositions indicated increased salinization in some zones, particularly those exposed to high evaporation and shoreline disturbance. Heavy metal analysis identified elevated levels of aluminum, manganese, and zinc at several sampling points; however, concentrations generally remained within national environmental standards. Vegetation surveys showed that disturbed areas—especially those affected by grazing and tourism—exhibited reduced native plant diversity and dominance of invasive species. Socio-economic interviews with local herders and stakeholders indicated that 67.3% of households experienced declining livestock productivity, and 37.1% reported increased allergies or respiratory symptoms linked to deteriorating environmental conditions. Despite some ongoing conservation efforts, respondents expressed dissatisfaction with enforcement and impact. These findings highlight the need for community-driven, integrated lake management strategies that address environmental degradation, climate adaptation, and rural livelihood security. Full article

This study focuses on 67 counties in Guangdong Province, China, and investigates the spatial distribution patterns, regional differentiation characteristics, and functional zoning of rural areas based on the “Production–Living–Ecological” (PLE) functional synergy theoretical framework. Multiple quantitative methods, including the entropy method, spatial concentration degree, and functional identification, were employed. Key findings include: (1) Rural functions in Guangdong exhibit significant heterogeneous evolution. Production functions have generally weakened, showing a spatial pattern of “consolidation in the south and decline in the north”. Ecological functions demonstrate a U-shaped recovery trend, with high-value areas concentrating around the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration, indicating effective ecological protection policies. Living functions continue to decline due to population mobility and imbalanced public services. (2) Structural transformation of rural function types occurred: Weakly integrated counties decreased (2010–2019), dual function type counties (production–ecological and living–ecological) significantly increased, and ecology-dominant counties predominated, highlighting ecological polarization under policy interventions. (3) Functional evolution is driven by terrain gradients, policy regulation, and industrial relocation. The research provides empirical evidence for optimizing territorial spatial governance and coordinating urban–rural development. Recommendations include promoting dynamic PLE balance through high-standard farmland construction, ecological industrialization cultivation, and cross-regional compensation mechanisms to facilitate rural revitalization and sustainable development. Full article

The interaction between rural household livelihood strategies and land use behavior constitutes the core of the human–land relationship in a region, especially in protected area villages with high ecological sensitivity that require the integration of social–economic and ecological benefits. This study, grounded in the concept of sustainable livelihoods, utilizes survey data from 399 households in the Chang-Zhu-Tan Green Heart Ecological Protection Zone. By employing the entropy method to calculate indicator weights, a coupling coordination degree model is constructed to analyze the coupling degree, coordination degree, and spatial differentiation patterns between household livelihood strategies and land use behavior. The findings reveal that (1) there is a coupling relationship between household livelihood strategies and land use behavior in the protected area, characterized by moderate coupling coordination. (2) Agricultural sideline households exhibit the highest degree of coupling coordination. The sideline activities of these households not only enhance income but also exert positive impacts on the ecological environment while they are engaged in agricultural production. (3) There is a significant spatial differentiation in the coupling coordination degree of different types of households in the protected area: it increases with the distance from the urban center, with higher values in the central areas than in the peripheral regions. The results of this study provide a basis for understanding micro-level land use changes and guiding household land use behavior, as well as offering theoretical and practical references for improving sustainable livelihoods of households in the study area, promoting rural revitalization, and implementing ecological protection policies. Full article

The border effect on heritage protection, shaped by historical and physical factors, contributes to the formation of socio-territorial systems, particularly in relation to productive landscapes. This study focuses on the Portuguese–Spanish border between Andalusia and Extremadura, a region where inter-regional dynamics mirror international tensions due to the coexistence of differing legislative frameworks. The area is characterized by shared agricultural and ecological systems and fragmented transport networks, which complicate territorial integration. Methodologically, the study involves a selection of seven municipalities based on demographic vulnerability and rural identity, followed by historical and spatial analysis using legal sources, historical dictionaries, and digital platforms for heritage mapping. One of the key components was the identification and documentation of historical mills linked to the Ardilla River and its tributaries, using a combination of official heritage databases and user-generated platforms like Wikiloc and local websites. The twenty-one mills found highlight a significant presence of unprotected yet generally well-preserved mills that exemplify the agricultural and industrial legacy of the region. These assets, often overlooked in formal inventories, underline the potential for cross-border heritage recognition and call for a rethinking of protection strategies through the lens of cultural landscapes and community engagement. Full article

The expansion of anthropogenic activities drives changes in the composition, structure, and spatial configuration of natural landscapes, influencing both the taxonomic and functional diversity of bird communities. This pattern is evident in the Colombian Amazon, where agricultural and livestock expansion has altered ecological dynamics, avifaunal assemblages, and the provision of regulating ecosystem services. This study analyzed the influence of agroforestry (cocoa-based agroforestry systems—SAFc) and silvopastoral systems (SSP) on the functional diversity of birds and their potential impact on ecosystem services in eight productive landscape mosaics within the Colombian Amazon. Each mosaic consisted of a 1 km² grid, within which seven types of vegetation cover were classified, and seven landscape metrics were calculated. Bird communities were surveyed through visual observations and mist-net captures, during which functional traits were measured. Additionally, functional guilds were assigned to each species based on a literature review. Five multidimensional indices of functional diversity were computed, along with community-weighted means per guild. A total of 218 bird species were recorded across both land-use systems. Bird richness, abundance, and functional diversity—as well as the composition of functional guilds—varied according to vegetation cover. Functional diversity increased in mosaics containing closed vegetation patches with symmetrical configurations. Variations in functional guilds were linked to low functional redundancy, which may also lead to differences in the provision of regulating ecosystem services such as biological pest control and seed dispersal—both of which are critical for the regeneration and connectivity of productive rural landscapes. In conclusion, functional diversity contributes to the resilience of bird communities in landscapes with Amazonian agroforestry and silvopastoral systems, highlighting the need for landscape management that promotes structural heterogeneity to sustain regulating ecosystem services and ecological connectivity. Full article