Ecological Indicators (Jan 2024)
Coupling coordination analysis and obstacle factors identification of rural living-production-ecological functions in a farming-pastoral ecotone
Abstract
Living, production, and ecology are the core functions of multifunctional rural lands. However, these functions have not yet been quantitatively assessed in farming-pastoral ecotones. Moreover, the obstacle factors of each function remain unknown, which is required for the harmonious and sustainable development of these areas. We selected a farming-pastoral ecotone in the northern foothills of the Yinshan Mountains (FPNYM) in northern China as the study area. We constructed an evaluation index system with 25 factors to determine the living-production-ecological functions (LPEFs). A coupling coordination degree model was used to analyze the interaction relationship of each function. An obstacle model was used to identify the factors, which hinder the development of each function. The results show that the ecological function is the dominant function in the FPNYM, followed by the living and the production functions. There were significant spatial heterogeneities in all the functions. The living-production, living-ecological, production-ecological, and living-production-ecological functions were highly coupled and had a moderate degree of coordination. The per capita residential area, per capita gross domestic product, and forest coverage were critical factors affecting the LPEFs in the FPNYM. The effects of these factors on the functions differed significantly among the counties. The results also suggest that management strategies for these functions should be optimized according to regional resources and local natural conditions. This study provides a novel method for quantifying the coupling coordination between LPEFs in a farming-pastoral ecotone. This approach can be used as a decision-making tool to ensure the sustainable development of these areas.
