Search Results (252)

The rapid urbanization process has accelerated the degradation of ecosystem services (ESs) in peri-urban rural areas of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), leading to increasing landscape ecological risks (LERs). Establishing a scientifically grounded landscape ecological risk assessment (LERA) system and corresponding control strategies is therefore imperative. Using rural areas of Jiangning District, Nanjing as a case study, this research proposes an optimized dual-dimensional coupling assessment framework that integrates ecosystem service value (ESV) and ecological risk probability. The spatiotemporal evolution of LER in 2000, 2010, and 2020 and its key driving factors were further studied by using spatial autocorrelation analysis and geodetector methods. The results show the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, cultivated land remained dominant, but its proportion decreased by 10.87%, while construction land increased by 26.52%, with minimal changes in other land use types. (2) The total ESV increased by CNY 1.67 × 10⁹, with regulating services accounting for over 82%, among which water bodies contributed the most. (3) LER showed an overall increasing trend, with medium- to highest-risk areas expanding by 55.37%, lowest-risk areas increasing by 10.10%, and lower-risk areas decreasing by 65.48%. (4) Key driving factors include landscape vulnerability, vegetation coverage, and ecological land connectivity, with the influence of distance to road becoming increasingly significant. This study reveals the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of LER in typical peri-urban villages. Based on the LERA results, combined with terrain features and ecological pressure intensity, the study area was divided into three ecological management zones: ecological conservation, ecological restoration, and ecological enhancement. Corresponding zoning strategies were proposed to guide rural ecological governance and support regional sustainable development. Full article

The spatial genes of rural settlements show a lot of different traditional settlement traits, which makes them a great starting point for studying rural spatial morphology. However, qualitative and macro-regional statistical indicators are usually used to find and extract rural settlement spatial genes. Taking Yubei Village in the Nanxi River Basin as an example, this study combined remote sensing images, real-time drone mapping, GIS (geographic information system), and space syntax, extracted 12 key indicators from five dimensions (landform and water features (environment), boundary morphology, spatial structure, street scale, and building scale), and quantitatively “decoded” the spatial genes of the settlement. The results showed that (1) the settlement is a “three mountains and one water” pattern, with cultivated land accounting for 37.4% and forest land accounting for 34.3% of the area within the 500 m buffer zone, while the landscape spatial diversity index (LSDI) is 0.708. (2) The boundary morphology is compact and agglomerated, and locally complex but overall orderly, with an aspect ratio of 1.04, a comprehensive morphological index of 1.53, and a comprehensive fractal dimension of 1.31. (3) The settlement is a “clan core–radial lane” network: the global integration degree of the axis to the holy hall is the highest (0.707), and the local integration degree R3 peak of the six-room ancestral hall reaches 2.255. Most lane widths are concentrated between 1.2 and 2.8 m, and the eaves are mostly higher than 4 m, forming a typical “narrow lanes and high houses” water town streetscape. (4) The architectural style is a combination of black bricks and gray tiles, gable roofs and horsehead walls, and “I”-shaped planes (63.95%). This study ultimately constructed a settlement space gene map and digital library, providing a replicable quantitative process for the diagnosis of Jiangnan water town settlements and heritage protection planning. Full article

Fire spread between buildings is the primary cause of extensive fire damage in traditional village timber structure clusters. Accurately assessing fire spread risk is crucial for the preservation of these architectural ensembles. During the development and conservation of traditional villages, fire risk dynamics may shift due to fire-resistant retrofits or layout modifications, necessitating repeated risk reevaluations. To address challenges such as the computational intensity of fire spread simulations, high costs, and data acquisition difficulties, this study proposes a directed graph-based method for fire spread risk analysis and risk level classification in timber structure clusters, accounting for their unique fire propagation characteristics. First, localized fire spread paths and propagation times between nodes (buildings) are determined through fire spread simulations, constructing an adjacency matrix for the directed graph of the building cluster. Path search algorithms then identify the spread range and velocity under specific fire scenarios. Subsequently, a zoned risk assessment model for individual buildings is developed based on critical fire spread loss and velocity, integrating each building’s fire resistance and its probability of exposure to different risk zones to determine the overall cluster’s fire spread risk level. The method is validated using a case study of a typical village in Yunnan Province. Results demonstrate that the approach efficiently computes fire spread characteristics across different scenarios and quantitatively evaluates risk levels, enabling targeted fire safety interventions based on village-specific spread patterns. Case analysis reveals significant variations in fire spread behavior: Village 1, Village 2, and Village 3 exhibit fire resistance indices of 0.59, 0.757, and 0.493, corresponding to high, moderate, and high fire spread risk levels, respectively. Full article

To address the issues of poor thermal performance and high energy consumption in rural dwellings in cold regions of China, this study investigates multi-type energy-efficient retrofitting strategies for rural houses in the Hebei–Tianjin region. By utilizing a two-step cluster analysis method, 458 rural dwellings from 32 villages were classified based on household demographics, architectural features, and energy consumption patterns, identifying three typical categories: pre-1980s adobe dwellings, 1980s–1990s brick–wood structures, and post-1990s brick–concrete houses. Tailored sunspace design strategies were proposed through simulation: low-cost plastic film sunspaces for adobe dwellings (dynamic payback period: 2.8 years; net present value: CNY 2343), 10 mm hollow polycarbonate (PC) panels for brick–wood structures (cost–benefit ratio: 1.72), and high-efficiency broken bridge aluminum Low-e sunspaces for brick–concrete houses (annual natural gas savings: 345.24 m³). Economic analysis confirmed the feasibility of the selected strategies, with positive net present values and cost–benefit ratios exceeding 1. The findings demonstrate that classification-based retrofitting strategies effectively balance energy-saving benefits with economic costs, providing a scientific hierarchical implementation framework for rural residential energy efficiency improvements in cold regions. Full article

The application of livelihood resilience theory in mining-under village relocation areas, coupled with the assessment of the coupling coordination degree between farming household livelihood resilience and ecological livability, is crucial for advancing sustainable development in mining regions and revitalizing rural communities. To examine whether a synergistic enhancement effect exists between the livelihood resilience and ecological livability of relocated farming households, this study utilizes a dataset of 1027 survey responses from farming households in typical mining-under-relocated villages within the eastern plain mining region of China. A measurement index system for farming household livelihood resilience was developed, encompassing three dimensions: buffering capacity, self-organization capacity, and learning capacity. Simultaneously, an evaluation index system for farming household ecological livability was constructed, focusing on three key dimensions: green production, green living, and green ecology. Using these frameworks, the coupling coordination degree between farming household livelihood resilience and ecological livability, along with its influencing factors, was analyzed. The findings reveal the following: (1) The overall livelihood resilience of relocated farming households in mining-under villages is relatively low, with the ranking being buffering capacity > learning capability > self-organization ability. The central village aggregation model demonstrates significantly greater resilience compared to the mine-village integration model. (2) The ecological livability across different relocation models is generally high, and farming households in the town-dependent village construction model, the central village aggregation model, and the suburban community model exhibit significantly higher ecological livability levels compared to those in the mine-village integration model. (3) The coupling coordination degree between livelihood resilience and ecological livability varies across relocation modes, with most modes demonstrating moderate to high-quality coordination. (4) Leadership potential and the presence of water-flush toilets are the most significant factors influencing the coupling coordination degree between livelihood resilience and ecological livability. This study provides valuable insights into the interplay between livelihood resilience and ecological livability in relocated farming households, offering practical implications for sustainable development and rural revitalization in mining regions. Full article

The sustainable development of minority characteristic villages (MCVs) is crucial to regional diversity, equality, and inclusion. However, it also faces multi-dimensional challenges, especially spatial imbalance. Taking Qiandongnan, China as a typical case, this study employed multiple methods to assess the sustainability of MCVs. First, this study constructed a comprehensive resistance surface integrating social, economic, and environmental dimensions based on the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model and conducted a systematic assessment of the sustainability of MCVs in Qiandongnan. Second, this study evaluated the spatial distribution characteristics of MCV’s sustainability based on the kernel density analysis and the gravity model. Finally, this study proposed a targeted spatial optimization pathway. The results reveal there are significant spatial differences in MCVs; villages in the central, southern, and central-western Qiandongnan exhibit stronger sustainability, whereas the southwest and eastern regions are weak. Seven core villages and one key node were identified. Five sustainable development corridors were established to enhance spatial connectivity. This study provides novel insights for optimizing the spatial governance of MCVs for achieving regional sustainable development and enriches the knowledge body of global rural revitalization. Full article

Addressing the urgent need for sustainable energy transitions in rural development while achieving the dual carbon goals, this study focuses on resolving critical challenges in agricultural photovoltaic (PV) applications, including land-use conflicts, compound energy demands (electricity, heating, cooling), and financial constraints among farmers. To tackle these issues, a dual-mode cost–benefit analysis framework was developed, integrating two distinct investment models: self-invested construction (SIC), where farmers independently finance and manage the system, and energy performance contracting (EPC), where third-party investors fund infrastructure through shared energy-saving or revenue agreements. Then, an integrated photovoltaic-storage agricultural greenhouse (PSAG) microgrid optimization model is established, synergizing renewable energy generation, battery storage, and demand-side management while incorporating operational mode selection. The proposed model is validated through a real-world case study of a village agricultural greenhouse in Gannan, China, characterized by typical rural energy profiles and climatic conditions. Simulation results demonstrate that the optimal system configuration requires 27.91 kWh energy storage capacity and 18.67 kW peak output, with annualized post-depreciation costs of 81,083.69 yuan (SIC) and 74,216.22 yuan (EPC). The key findings reveal that energy storage integration reduces operational costs by 8.5% compared to non-storage scenarios, with the EPC model achieving 9.3% greater cost-effectiveness than SIC through shared-investment mechanisms. The findings suggest that incorporating an energy storage system reduces costs for farmers, with the EPC model offering greater cost savings. Full article

A typical county for traditional village conservation in China is Songyang County. It is renowned for its ancient rammed earth dwellings, which exhibit a unique microclimate and possess significant historical value. However, high precipitation and acid rain under the subtropical monsoon climate have caused severe surface erosion, including cracking and spalling. This study focuses on traditional rammed earth dwellings in Chenjiapeng Village, Songyang County, combining field surveys, experimental analysis, and microscopic characterization to systematically investigate erosion mechanisms and protection strategies. Techniques, such as drone aerial photography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and microbial diversity detection, were employed to elucidate the anti-erosion mechanisms of gray–green biological crusts on rammed earth surfaces. The results indicate that algal crusts enhance surface compressive strength and shear resistance through macroscopic coverage (reducing raindrop kinetic energy and moisture retention) and microscopic extracellular polysaccharide-cemented soil particles forming a three-dimensional network. However, acidic environments induce metabolic acid release from algae, dissolving cementing materials and creating a “surface protection-internal damage” paradox. To address this, a “transparent film-biofiber-acid inhibition layer” composite biofilm design is proposed, integrating a biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) mesh, algal attachment substrates, and calcium carbonate microparticles to dynamically neutralize acidic substances, achieving synergistic ecological protection and cultural heritage authenticity. This study provides innovative solutions for the anti-erosion protection of traditional rammed earth structures, emphasizing environmental compatibility and sustainability. Full article

The ethnic villages in karst regions, where the ecosystem and social systems are intricately linked, face the dual challenges of poverty and ecological sustainability. Tourism, as an emerging strategy adopted for poverty alleviation, has inevitably posed complex impacts on social–ecological systems (SES). However, due to the particularity of the SES in this region, the mechanisms through which tourism influences social–ecological systems remain unclear, hindering the achievement of eco-friendly economic growth. In this study, we first applied the vulnerability spectrum diagram (VSD) model assessment framework to various remotely sensed and socially sensed data to evaluate ecological and social vulnerability, taking Leishan County, a typical karst region in Guizhou, southwest China as a case study. Then, advanced geospatial analysis methods were adopted to investigate the spatial characteristics of the vulnerability index. Finally, we utilized the geographical detector to identify influencing factors and investigated their synergistic effects. Our results reveal that, within the studied area, social vulnerability is generally lower in the north than the south, while ecological vulnerability shows the other way around. Social vulnerability is significantly influenced by several tourism-related factors, such as transportation convenience and the preservation of traditional dwellings. These factors collectively exert a pronounced effect on social vulnerability mitigation. Moreover, ecological vulnerability, with the exception of rocky desertification, shows significant co-directional changes with social vulnerability, reflecting the fact that tourism factors indirectly shape the ecosystem. The development of ethnic village tourism in villages with better socio-economic conditions tends to effectively improve the quality of the ecological environment, whereas those with poorer conditions tend to exacerbate ecological damage. The findings drawn from this study convey important practical implications that assist in identifying key vulnerable areas in karst ethnic villages and support their sustainable development goals. Full article

Flash floods, typically triggered by natural events such as heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and dam failures, are characterized by abrupt onset, destructive power, unpredictability, and challenges in mitigation. This study investigates the spatial distribution patterns and driving mechanisms of rainstorm-induced flash flood disasters in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin (YTRB) by integrating topography, hydrometeorology, human activity data, and historical disaster records. Through a multi-method spatial analysis framework—including kernel density estimation, standard deviation ellipse, spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I and Getis–Ord Gi*), and the optimal parameter geographic detector (OPGD) model (integrating univariate analysis and interaction detection)—we reveal multiscale disaster dynamics across county, township, and small catchment levels. Key findings indicate that finer spatial resolution (e.g., small catchment scale) enhances precision when identifying high-risk zones. Temporally, the number of rainstorm-induced flash floods increased significantly and disaster-affected areas expanded significantly from the 1980s to the 2010s, with a peak spatial dispersion observed during 2010–2019, reflecting a westward shift in disaster distribution. Spatial aggregation of flash floods persisted throughout the study period, concentrated in the central basin. Village density (TD) was identified as the predominant human activity factor, exhibiting nonlinear amplification through interactions with short-duration heavy rainfall (particularly 3 h [P3] and 6 h [P6] maximum precipitations) and GDP. These precipitation durations demonstrated compounding risk effects, where sustained rainfall intensity progressively heightened disaster potential. Topographic and ecological interactions, particularly between elevation (DEM) and vegetation type (VT), further modulate disaster intensity. These findings provide critical insights for risk zonation and targeted prevention strategies in high-altitude river basins. Full article

Rural industrial integration land has emerged with the rise of new industries in rural China, exhibiting spatial distribution patterns distinct from traditional industrial land. However, research on this land use remains limited. This paper offers an exploratory definition of rural industrial integration land, takes three typical villages in Qingdao, Shandong Province as examples, establishes a model for measuring the diversity, complexity, and compatibility of land for industrial integration development based on the Hill numbers diversity measurement model, the information entropy index, and the mixedness index (WVMDI_i) to explore the spatial layout characteristics of rural industrial integration land, and introduces the grey relational model to analyze its driving mechanism. The findings reveal that: (1) Rural industrial integration land is marked by structural diversity, multifunctionality, and compatibility in use. (2) From 2015 to 2023, the land’s diversity, complexity, and compatibility increased. The spatial layout characteristics of rural industrial integration land in the three villages, which integrates its diversity, complexity, and compatibility, increased from 1.3842, 1.5786, and 1.2127 to 1.8500, 1.9123, and 2.0224. (3) Between 2015 and 2019, key factors influencing spatial distribution included resource endowment, industrial foundation, and socioeconomic conditions. From 2019 to 2023, the most significant factors shifted to industrial foundation, farmers’ demand, and regional policies. Understanding the spatial distribution of rural industrial integration land is essential for guiding rural industrial spatial planning and promoting rural industrial revitalization. Full article

Urban–rural integration (URI) is essential to achieving sustainable development. However, the rural areas surrounding large cities typically have a large scale and significant differences in development conditions. It is necessary to formulate rural development policies by category to better promote the integrated development between urban and rural areas, stimulate rural vitality, and create more significant opportunities for rural development. This study constructs an evaluation system for rural areas under URI, using the Xi’an metropolitan area as a case study. A clustering algorithm enhanced by the random forest (RF)–principal component analysis (PCA)–partitioning around medoids (PAM) method is applied to evaluate rural integration comprehensively. Key findings in this study include the following: (i) URI should be decoupled from administrative divisions, considering the complex impacts of multi-town functional spillover; (ii) ecological environment, economic development, public service allocation, and construction land supply are key factors influencing URI; (iii) the overall URI index in the Xi’an metropolitan area presents a “high in the center, low in the east and west” pattern. The rural areas with high URI index are around Xi’an and Xianyang, while other cities show insufficient communication with neighboring villages; (iv) rural areas can be categorized into four types of integration: ecological, ecological–economic, ecological–social–spatial, and ecological–economic–social–spatial, which exhibit an outward expansion of layers and extension along the east–west axis in the spatial structure of integration. Finally, differential development policies and suggestions for promoting urban–rural integration are put forward because of the different types of rural villages. This paper provides a framework for formulating rural development policies, significantly deepening urban–rural integration. Full article

Thermal comfort is an important criterion affecting the comfort evaluation of public spaces in villages. However, related studies remain scarce because of the intricate climates of seafront villages. In this study, the effect of landscape elements on thermal comfort within public spaces in seafront villages was examined. The spatial gene method was employed to extract the layout characteristics of typical public spaces and identify villages with the most comprehensive spatial elements as simulation subjects to enhance our understanding. The Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) was selected to quantitatively assess the effect of landscape elements on thermal comfort. The analysis results revealed varying thermal mitigation capacities across different types of landscape elements. Plants, notably in plazas and courtyards, along with buildings on beaches, emerged as the most significant contributors to thermal comfort. Moreover, a diurnal variation in the influence of landscape elements on thermal comfort was observed, attributed to the unique climatic conditions of seafront villages. During daytime, structural elements exerted the most substantial effect on PET in public spaces, accounting for more than 60%, whereas their influence waned in the evening. In contrast, as the sea breeze intensified in the evening, the planting method contributed over 71% to PET. Full article

This paper investigates the impact of a lack of electricity services on social and economic development in the context of patriarchal, rural Sudan. Quantitative data were gathered from key informant interviews in four rural villages across three different states (n = 240). Not having access to electricity adversely affects four main variables: (i) health, (ii) education, (iii) gender equality, and (iv) income generation. A multiple logistic regression model assessed school attendance of all boys or girls in a household as a function of declared household income, survey respondent education level, number of children, number of hours per day of household chores, and hours per day of biomass collection (a task that girls usually undertake). Boys are observed to be more likely to attend school than girls regardless of household income; their attendance likelihood increases with the number of children in the household (which we attribute to the greater likelihood of girls being in a household to undertake tasks). Increased biomass collection time is seen to increase the likelihood of boys’ attendance to school as this is typically seen as a female task. Girls are primarily required to undertake chores which reduces school attendance. Girls’ attendance also appears dependent on a higher household income (Odds Ratio 1.24, p value 0.052). The likelihood of attendance at school for each additional hour of required household chores was reduced by 22% for boys and 10% for girls. In relation to accessing health services, (traditional vs. modern), we observed no influence of household income suggesting social norms play a strong role here. Full article

The relative influence of climate and Indigenous cultural burning on past forest composition in southern New England, US, remains debated. Employing varied analyses, this study compared data on Indigenous settlements from over 5000 years before present (YBP) with relative tree abundances estimated from pollen and land survey records. Results suggested that fire-tolerant vegetation, mainly oak (Quercus spp.), was more abundant near Indigenous settlements from 4955 to 205 YBP (i.e., 86–91% fire-tolerant trees), and significantly (p < 0.05) higher from 3205 to 205 YBP; fire-tolerant vegetation was less abundant away from settlements, where it also experienced greater fluctuations. Correlative models showed that warmer temperatures and distance to Indigenous settlement, which are both indicators of fire, were important predictors in the 17th–18th centuries of fire-tolerant tree abundance; soil variables were less important and their relationships with vegetation were unclear. A marked increase in oak abundance occurred above 8 °C mean annual temperature and within 16 km of major Indigenous settlements. Pyrophilic vegetation was most correlated with distance to Indigenous villages in areas with 7–9 °C mean annual temperature, typical of higher latitudes and elevations that usually supported northern hardwoods. Widespread burning in warmer areas potentially weakened relationships between distance and pyrophilic abundance. Indigenous land use imprinted upon warmer areas conducive to burning created patterns in fire-tolerant vegetation in southern New England, plausibly affecting most low-elevation areas. Results imply that restoration of fire-dependent species and of barrens, savannas, and woodlands of oak in southern New England benefit from cultural burning. Full article