Ecotourism and sustainable development: a scientometric review of global research trends

Comprehensive evaluation model of ecotourism, economic development and ecological environment-taking Shennongjia National Park as an example

Introduction

This study investigates the interaction between ecotourism and economic development, and their impact on the ecological environment within national parks. Shennongjia National Park serves as a case study for this analysis.

Methods

A comprehensive evaluation model was constructed, comprising the Ecotourism Development Index (ETI), Economic Development Index (EDI), and Ecological Pressure Index (EPI). The coupling coordination degree model (D) and the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) were employed to quantify synergistic effects and spatial interaction mechanisms among these systems. Multi-source data from 2016 to 2022 were utilized.

Results

Ecotourism development exhibits a significant positive impact on regional economic growth (elasticity coefficient 0.68, p < 0.01). However, increased tourist numbers correlate with heightened ecological pressure, notably vegetation degradation and water quality decline in core scenic areas (e.g., Shennongding). Spatial analysis reveals significant positive correlations among ecotourism, economic growth, and ecological pressure (global Moran's Index), with "high-high" and "low-low" clustering patterns. Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) identify Muyu Town as a high-value cluster and Xiagu Township as a low-value cluster. The coupling coordination degree improved from near imbalance (D = 0.48) in 2016 to intermediate coordination ((D = 0.75) in 2022. A prominent ecological-environmental lagging contradiction (ETI > EPI) is observed, attributed to tourist overload and insufficient ecological restoration funding.

Discussion

The findings indicate that while ecotourism significantly drives economic growth, it also increases ecological pressure. Spatial dependencies highlight the need for regional coordination in development strategies. Addressing the ecological-environmental lag, particularly through managing tourist capacity and increasing investment in ecological restoration, is crucial for achieving sustainable development. The study proposes development pathways and strategies to promote the coordinated advancement of ecotourism, economic growth, and ecological environmental protection.

Bibliometric analysis and systematic review on the electrokinetic remediation of contaminated soil and sediment

Electrokinetic remediation (EKR) is a proficient, environmentally friendly separation technology for in-situ removal of contaminants in soil/sediment, distinguished for its ease of implementation and minimal prerequisites compared to other remediation technologies. To comprehensively understand the research focus and progress related to EKR of contaminated soil/sediment, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on 1593 publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. This analysis utilized data mining and knowledge discovery techniques through Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace software. The results revealed a rising trend in annual publication numbers, with China leading in the number of publications. The primary journals in this field included the Journal of Hazardous Materials, Chemosphere, and Separation and Purification Technology. The primary disciplines contributed to this field included "Environmental Sciences", "Engineering, Environmental", "Engineering, Chemical", and "Electrochemistry". Keyword co-occurrence and burst analysis indicated that current EKR-related research mainly focuses on the remediation of soil/sediments contaminated by heavy metals (HMs) and organic pollutants (OPs). Furthermore, the EKR remediation improvement method emerged as the prevailing and future research hotspots and development directions. Future research could integrate numerical simulations and various methodologies to predict and assess the migration of pollutants and the efficiency of remediation efforts. Additionally, these studies could explore the effects of EKR on the physicochemical properties and microbial diversity of soil/sediment to provide a theoretical foundation for applying EKR in soil/sediment remediation.

Mismatched online public concern and tick-borne disease risk in China

Introduction

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are increasing public health concerns in China. This study examines public awareness and concern using data from the People Cloud, a national public opinion data platform.

Methods

We analyzed 358,862 posts related to ticks, tick bites, Lyme disease, and tick-borne encephalitis from October 2022 to November 2023. Temporal trends and geographic distribution were assessed to identify patterns of public interest.

Results

Public concern peaked in April, coinciding with tick season, with "ticks" being the most mentioned term, particularly on social media platforms, such as WeChat. High search activity was concentrated in southeastern and northern provinces, especially Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Jiangsu. Lyme disease posts were more dispersed, while tick-borne encephalitis posts clustered in southern areas.

Conclusion

Public interest in ticks follows seasonal and regional trends, reflecting tick activity but not always matching disease risk or tick distribution. Monitoring public opinion data can guide targeted health interventions and improve disease prevention efforts.

Exploring the nexus of smart technologies and sustainable ecotourism: A systematic review

Sustainable smart ecotourism, utilizing smart technologies like smartphones, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), aims to minimize harm to natural and cultural ecosystems, promoting education and environmental conservation. This review aims to examine the concept of sustainable smart ecotourism, analyzing existing literature to gain insights into the significance, components, challenges, and contributions to sustainable development on a global scale. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate sustainable smart ecotourism using PRISMA guidelines. The review focused on scholarly, peer-reviewed studies from developing countries, using databases like ScienceDirect, Jstor, Taylor & Francis, and IEEE. The study used Joanna Briggs Institute and Cochrane Risk of Bias tools to assess study quality. Thematic analysis techniques were used to extract and synthesize data, identifying patterns and trends relevant to smart ecotourism sustainability. Dual analyst verification ensured data integrity and reliability. After conducting a thorough quality evaluation using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, we identified 29 studies of exceptional quality from an original pool of 9583 records. The use of thematic analysis sheds light on the diverse and important role of the IoT in promoting sustainable ecotourism. This study uncovered both the obstacles and possibilities associated with this technology. The findings provide important insights into the worldwide implementation of smart ecotourism techniques and highlight the significant impact of technology in promoting sustainable tourism models. Smart ecotourism involves multiple stakeholders to enhance environmental impact. Key characteristics include dynamic interactions, co-creation of value, sustainable development, resource sharing, and innovation services. Technology like IoT is crucial for sustainable tourism management. Collaboration with governments, local stakeholders, and organizations is recommended for sustainable policies. As a result of this study, sustainable ecotourism policies result from a collaborative effort between local communities, government agencies, and practitioners in the industry. Smart technologies, including AR/VR and AI, have the potential to enhance operational efficiency while reducing environmental concerns. Ecotourism, partnerships, and education are key to successful implementation and capacity building.

Mapping sustainable supply chain innovation: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis

This comprehensive bibliometric study investigates Sustainable Supply Chain Innovation (SSCI) research, examining its evolution, identifying key contributors, and unveiling emerging trends. Analyzing 1158 English-language SSCI articles using the robust Scopus dataset exposes noteworthy journals, authors, institutions, and global contributions. The findings suggest a consistent increase in research output since 1999, with a notable surge in the past decade. Network analysis and density-based spatial clustering identified six SSCI research clusters: Sustainability and Responsibility in Business, Navigating Innovation and Disruption, Sustainable Business Strategies, Environmental Sustainability and Innovation, Sustainable Food Systems and Environmental Impact, and Sustainable Business Dynamics. These clusters highlight the diverse nature of the evolving Sustainability and Supply Chain Management (SCM) field, contributing to a thorough understanding of the SSCI research landscape and emphasizing interconnections between sustainability and SCM themes, potentially leading to more comprehensive theoretical models. Furthermore, this understanding aids businesses in anticipating emerging trends and implementing optimal practices in SSCI. Moreover, recognizing active institutions and global contributors provides practical insights for fostering strategic collaborations.

Eco-tourism, climate change, and environmental policies: empirical evidence from developing economies

Developing ecotourism services is a suitable solution to help developing countries improve the status of sustainable development indicators and protect their environment. The primary purpose of this paper is to find out the effects of green governance variables and carbon dioxide emissions on ecotourism for 40 developing economies from 2010 to 2021. The results confirmed a uni-directional causal relationship between the green governance indicator and the inflation rate of the ecotourism indicator. In addition, with a 1% improvement in the green governance index of developing countries, the ecotourism of these countries will increase by 0.43%. In comparison, with a 1% increase in the globalization index of these countries, ecotourism will increase by 0.32%. Moreover, ecotourism in developing countries is more sensitive to macroeconomic variables changes than in developed economies. Geopolitical risk is an influential factor in the developing process of ecotourism. The practical policies recommended by this research are developing the green financing market, establishing virtual tourism, granting green loans to small and medium enterprises, and government incentives to motivate active businesses.