Evolution of social-ecological system resilience and its main obstacle factors in resource-based cities: A case study of Panzhihua

Abstract

[Objective] The aim of this study was to analyze the change of resilience and its main obstacle factors in resource-based cities from a social-ecological system (SES) perspective, clarify the relationships between system vulnerability, coping capacity, and resilience, and provide scientific evidence for the successful transformation of resource-based cities. [Methods] Using set pair analysis, ridge regression analysis, and obstacle degree models, we quantitatively measured and analyzed the vulnerability, coping capacity, and resilience of the SES of Panzhihua City and its social, economic, and ecological subsystems. We explored the effects of vulnerability and coping capacity on resilience and analyzed the driving mechanisms of SES resilience. [Results] (1) The vulnerability of Panzhihua City’s SES showed a fluctuating downward trend, remaining at a moderate level overall. Social vulnerability had a significant positive impact on resilience, ecological vulnerability had a significant negative impact, while economic vulnerability had no significant impact. (2) The coping capacities of Panzhihua City’s SES and its subsystems all showed upward trends. Social and economic coping capacities had significant positive impacts on resilience, whereas the positive impact of ecological coping capacity was relatively weak. (3) The resilience index of Panzhihua City’s SES increased steadily overall; the main vulnerability and coping capacity factors of each subsystem had significant impacts on resilience. (4) Obstacle degree analysis indicated that in the early stages, the main limiting factors for resilience were ecological environment constraints, which later shifted to factors related to technological upgrading of industries and coordinated economic development. [Conclusion] The vulnerability of Panzhihua City’s social-ecological system (SES) has exhibited a fluctuating downward trend, while its coping capacity has significantly improved, leading to a continuous enhancement of resilience. In the context of urban transformation and development, it is initially proposed that strengthening social and economic coping capacities and optimizing the ecological environment are critical measures for enhancing the resilience of Panzhihua City.

Keywords

• resource-based city|social-ecological system (ses)|resilience|obstacle factors|set pair analysis|panzhihua city