Sustainable poverty alleviation and green development in China’s underdeveloped areas

Exploring the evolution of ecosystem health and sustainable zoning: A perspective based on the contributions of climate change and human activities

Maintaining ecosystem health (EH) in watersheds is crucial for building a national pattern of ecological security. However, a comprehensive diagnosis of watershed EH and an exploration of its driving mechanisms are still lacking. This study proposed an EH assessment model from a vitality-organization-resilience-service-environment (VORSE) perspective. Taking the Yellow River Basin of Shaanxi Province (YRBS), China, as a research object, the spatiotemporal evolution trend of EH from 2000 to 2020 was quantified. At the same time, we also quantified the respective contributions of climate change (CC) and human activities (HA) to the EH dynamics based on residual analysis. The results showed that EH in the YRBS increased by 11.80 % from 2000 to 2020, and the spatial distribution of the EH was higher in the southern region than in the northern part. At the pixel scale, areas with improving trends accounted for 90.57 % of the YRBS, while 9.43 % deteriorated, with the improving areas mainly in northern Shaanxi and the deteriorating areas in the Guanzhong region. The correlation between the EH and precipitation was primarily positive, while the correlation between the EH and temperature was mainly negative. The residual analysis showed that the contribution rate of CC to EH changes was 78.54 %, while that of HA was 21.46 %, indicating that CC was the dominant driver of EH changes in the YRBS. Specifically, 82.64 % of the improvement in EH was attributed to CC and 17.36 % to HA. Conversely, 65.30 % of the deterioration in EH was attributed to CC and 34.70 % to HA. Furthermore, CC, HA, and CC&HA dominated EH changes in 26.85 %, 3.77 %, and 69.38 % of the YRBS area, respectively. In addition, the Hurst exponent analysis identified six types of future EH development scenarios, each requiring different restoration strategies. This study provides valuable insights for future EH diagnosis, EH restoration efforts, and the formulation of sustainable development goals in other watersheds.

The formation and evolution of vulnerability risk of rural poor groups under the perspective of social support -- based on the analysis of "sensitivity-resilience"

The anticipated sensitivity and resilience practices of the poor groups expose them to significant vulnerability risks, with social support actions arising from the return to poverty posing additional interference. To comprehensively prevent and mitigate vulnerability risks, breakthroughs in corresponding social support are essential. This study, through questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews, collected original data from 750 impoverished households in Lantian County, northwest China. Using a bottom-up approach, it constructed a "sensitivity-resilience" framework to assess the vulnerability and resilience mechanisms of the relatively poor groups. The research reveals that vulnerability and resilience interact in response to risk shocks. The strong livelihood dependence, capital accumulation deficiency, and sensitivity characteristics of social marginalization among rural relatively poor groups, coupled with fragmented and inefficient social support, exacerbate the degree of vulnerability risks, leading to an amplification of sensitivity and a reduction in resilience. Based on these findings, targeted at the characteristics of vulnerability risks and the fatigue factors of social support, this study proposes policy recommendations at two levels: system reengineering to reduce sensitivity and long-term reengineering to enhance resilience, aiming to prevent large-scale return to poverty.

Spatio-temporal heterogeneity and coupling effect of mining economy, social governance and environmental conservation: Evidence from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

In order to solve the problem of coordinated development among mining economy, social governance and environmental conservation in global resource-based cities, we choose Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as the research area. The advantage of resource endowment and resource industry was measured by location quotient and input-output method. The panel data related to mining governance from 2010 to 2021 were selected to build the evaluation and coupling analysis model between mining economic, social governance and environmental conservation, and the spatial-temporal heterogeneity and coupling effect of them were analyzed by comprehensive empowerment evaluation, spatial autocorrelation analysis and barrier degree methods. The results show that: (1) Except for the overall upward trend of social governance, the development level of mining economy and environmental conservation are basically stable; (2) The resource-rich areas have obvious mining economic advantages, and the central cities have good social governance capabilities, and the environmental conservation effectiveness is uncertain; (3) The coupling effect between mining economy and social governance is stronger than that between mining economy and environment conservation, and the synergistic coupling effect of the three is relatively random. Finally, we put forward some policy response strategies to Guangxi, and theoretical and practical reference would be provided for resource-based cities around the world.

The coupling coordination between tourism urbanization and ecosystem services value and its obstacle factors in ecologically fragile areas: a case study of the Wuling Mountain area of Hunan Province, China

The interrelationship between tourism urbanization (TU) and the ecological environment is extremely complex. Some studies have analyzed the interaction between them but ignored the ecosystem services. Therefore, exploring the coupling coordination relationship between TU and ecosystem services value (ESV) is significant. In this research, we established a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model between TU and ESV and used exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), spatial variogram model, and obstacle degree model to evaluate the evolution characteristics of CCD and its obstacle factors in the Wuling Mountain area of Hunan Province (WMAHP). The results are as follows: (1) the comprehensive TU level shows an upward trend, and TU levels in the west are generally higher than in the east. The total ESV shows a fluctuating upward trend, and the average ESV is relatively low in the west and southeast. (2) The comprehensive CCD shows an increasing trend, and the coupling coordination relationship has changed from uncoordinated to coordinated in most counties. Spatially, the global spatial autocorrelation and spatial variation degree of CCD are insignificant. Wulingyuan and Yongding are uplift areas, and a subsidence area is in the southeast. It is worth noting that the problem of TU lag generally exists. (3) For the whole area, TU and economy are always the primary obstacle factors in the system and category layer, respectively, but the obstacle degree of the population has gradually increased. At the county level, TU restricts the CCD improvement in most counties, and the proportion of counties where the economy is the primary obstacle in the criterion layer exceeds 60%. Policymakers need to formulate targeted promotion strategies based on the coupling coordination and relative development level between TU and ESV for different counties. This paper provides valuable references for achieving coordinated development between TU and ESV in ecologically fragile areas worldwide.

Data evaluation algorithm for compensation litigation for ecotope pollution damage in the Yellow River valley caused by industrial wastewater from the perspective of green development

Since the reform and opening up, China's economy has achieved amazing growth. At the same time of industrialization transformation, the traditional high-energy consumption and external growth model has brought serious environmental problems, and the pollution control situation is facing many difficulties. The Yellow River Valley gives birth to the Chinese civilization. With the formulation of the national strategy for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin and the demand for green development, the control of industrial pollution has become the main task of environmental protection in the Yellow River Basin. However, the research on the ecotope pollution in the Yellow River Valley mainly stays in the theory and strategy. In response to the above problems, this paper would carry out scientific data analysis and high-dimensional research on the ecotope pollution in the Yellow River Valley from the perspective of green development and data analysis algorithms. The research results showed that the reconstruction probability of the Threshold-based Sparsity Adaptive Matching Pursuit (TSAMP) algorithm remained 100% when K was less than 50.

Evolution and stages of China's economic inequality from 1978 to 2018

Regional economic inequality has long been a prominent problem in China's national economic and social development. In this study, the centre of gravity (CG) model is employed to reveal the spatiotemporal patterns and stages of China's economic inequality in 1978-2018, and the characteristics of different stages are explored. The results show that China's economy achieved rapid growth at an average annual growth rate of 9.4% in 1978-2018. Due to the spatial heterogeneity of the location and the unbalanced development strategy, there was a significant economic gradient between eastern and western China. Spatially, there was a notable increase in the agglomeration of GDP and the added value of the three industries, and their CGs moved southwestward as a whole. According to the evolution of regional differentiation characteristics, combined with key historical events, China's economic inequality from 1978 to 2018 could be divided into four stages, i.e., the stages of economic inequality led by institutional reform (1978-1991), market mechanisms (1992-2003), regional coordination (2004-2012), and socioeconomic transformation (2013-2018). The alternation of these four stages reflects how to scientifically deal with the relationship between efficiency and equity in economic development.

An inter-district analysis of health infrastructure disparities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

Achieving socioeconomic growth can be done by enhancing national health. The availability and provision of health infrastructure in an administrative territory affect the health of ordinary people. People's access to healthcare is inversely correlated with the availability of a region's health infrastructure. This study investigates inter-district health infrastructure disparities in the newly created Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir. Using principal component analysis, this study developed a district-level health infrastructure index (HII) for 2018-2019. The study demonstrates the existence of inter-district disparities in the Union Territory's health infrastructure. Regarding health infrastructure, Doda has the highest HII and has been designated a 'developed' district. Doda is followed by Jammu, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Ramban, Samba, Reasi and Kulgam, which also fall into the 'developed' districts category. Backward districts include Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Budgam, Shopian, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Anantnag. Srinagar district, with the lowest HII, was identified as the most backward district in the Jammu and Kashmir UT. All of the districts of the Kashmir division, apart from Kulgam, are classified as being 'backward' or 'very backward'. Therefore, it is evident that the Jammu division of UT has a better health infrastructure than the Kashmir division.

Using the Sustainable Development Capacity of Key Counties to Guide Rural Revitalization in China

Counties are the basic unit for addressing unbalanced development in a region, revitalizing rural areas, and promoting the integrated development of urban and rural areas. Despite the importance of county-level research, few studies have been conducted research at such a small scale. To address this gap in knowledge, this study constructs an evaluation system to measure the county sustainable development capacity (CSDC) of counties in China, identify constraints to development, and provide policy suggestions to promote the counties' long-term stable development. Specifically, the CSDC indicator system was based on the regional theory of sustainable development and included economic aggregation capacity, social development capacity, and environmental carrying capacity. This framework was applied to 103 key counties to receive assistance in pursuing rural revitalization in 10 provinces in western China. The AHP-Entropy Weighting Method and TOPSIS model were employed to inform the scores of CSDC and its secondary indicators, and ArcGIS 10.8 was used to portray the spatial distribution of CSDC and to classify these key counties into categories that guided specific policy recommendations. The results demonstrate a high degree of unbalanced and inadequate development in these counties and that rural revitalization efforts can be targeted to increase the speed of development. It is crucial to follow the recommendations that conclude this paper to promote sustainable development in areas that have been lifted out of poverty and to revive rural areas.

Identification of Multi-Dimensional Relative Poverty and Governance Path at the Village Scale in an Alpine-Gorge Region: A Case Study in Nujiang, China

Absolute poverty has historically been solved in China, and the focus on poor areas has shifted to addressing relative poverty. To realize the organic combination of the rural revitalization strategy and relative poverty governance, multi-dimensional relative poverty identification and governance path research at the village scale in an alpine-gorge region is required. For this study, the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture's research area in a typical alpine-gorge was chosen. This paper constructed an evaluation index system for the rural regional system based on location conditions, ecological environment, productive resources, economic base, and public service, based on the theory of multi-dimensional regional poverty and the human-land relationship. The level of poverty, types of poverty, and spatial distribution characteristics of 255 administrative villages were systematically analyzed, and poverty governance paths were proposed. The results show that: (1) There were 215 multi-dimensional relative poverty villages in Nujiang Prefecture, accounting for 84.31% of the total. The relatively poor villages with poverty grades I and II, which are classified as mild poverty, account for 77.21% of all poor villages; this demonstrated that the relatively poor villages in Nujiang Prefecture had a high potential for poverty alleviation. (2) There are 19 different types of constraints in poor villages. Grades III and IV poor villages were mostly found in high-altitude areas. The economic foundation was very weak, the infrastructure was imperfect, the land use type was relatively single, and traffic conditions were relatively backward. (3) The priority model accounted for 16.67% of relative poverty governance, the steady improvement accounted for 28.79%, and key support accounted for 54.54%. Relative poverty governance paths for various counties have been proposed, including rural revitalization priority demonstration, ecological environment governance, eco-tourism, modern agriculture + mountain agroforestry, and improved people's livelihood and well-being. The findings provided scientific support and direction for future research on the mode and course of relative poverty governance in poor villages in the alpine-gorge area, as well as the rural revitalization strategy's implementation.

The predicaments of environmental impact assessment (EIA) for transport infrastructure: an examination of policy stagnation and progress

Purpose

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) for transport infrastructure should consider geological constraints, legislative regulations, public policy and other strategic considerations. These strategic considerations and constraints that are often seen as the most challenging issues facing transportation planners are critically reviewed. Subsequently, this study aims to evaluate the enviromnetal impacts of civil transport infrastructure.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed-method approach, this study examines the EIA and environmental impact statement (EIS) dimensions of transportation infrastructure.

Findings

Through the development of the EIA and EIS policy framework for transport infrastructure, this paper found that to better enhance the EIA and to effectively calculate various indicator variables, a hybrid approach to the method, known as input–output analysis (IOA), needs to be adopted. Knowing that a feasible cost breakdown is usually available within projects, it can be concluded that it is plausible to add an input–output (I–O) model into an existing EIS to obtain results not only for on-site effects but also for off-site effects. Moreover, some of the benefits of implementing a hybrid IOA can significantly improve the completeness of any conventional EIS for a range of quantifiable indicators, improve the ability to rank alternative options and provide a valuable overview of indirect impacts to be used for streamlining the EIA audit. For these reasons, input–output techniques could be incorporated as optional elements into the EIA standards.

Practical implications

With input from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and national I–O tables of the industry sector, this research was able to determine that indirect effects within transport projects are not being considered for what they are worth. This enables us to answer key questions dealing with the effects of EIAs on the transportation sector. This, in turn, can assist with planning through the commissioning of such projects.

Originality/value

The I–O model introduced in this paper will ultimately lead to better incorporation of various environmental elements. The findings of the paper can thus assist transportation planners in better aligning environmental impacts with EIA. This, in turn, can result in improvements in the completeness of any conventional EIS, enhance the ability to rank alternative options and provide a valuable overview of indirect impacts to be used for streamlining the EIA audit.

Explicating the responses of NDVI and GDP to the poverty alleviation policy in poverty areas of China in the 21st century

The economy in the poverty-stricken areas of China has grown rapidly in response to poverty alleviation policies in the 21st century. To explicate the response of the eco-environment to rapid economic growth in the 14 contiguous areas of dire poverty in China, we developed a method of evaluating the impact of poverty alleviation policies on ecological health. Based on the yearly data of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from 2000 to 2019, the dynamic changes in NDVI and GDP were calculated, and the development patterns in the 14 contiguous areas of dire poverty were evaluated and classified. The results show that both annual GDP per capita and average annual NDVI exhibited an increasing trend, increasing by 43.81% and 0.84% per year, respectively. The development of the 14 contiguous areas of dire poverty all presented a coordinated and sustainable (A) development pattern during the period from 2000 to 2019. The consistency of economic and ecological health development between 2000 and 2013 was less than that between 2014 and 2019. Moreover, the result indicates that it is necessary to make timely adjustments to poverty alleviation strategies based on the positive consistency between economic growth and ecological health.

Study on Rural Development Evaluation and Drivers of Sustainable Development: Evidence from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region of China

Rural areas are the basic units of social development and contain residents’ production and living activities, so understanding the nature of rural development has essential theoretical and practical significance. This paper first constructs a rural development evaluation index system, then analyzes the changes in the development level and development pattern of rural areas in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei from 2009 to 2020 in five aspects: prosperous industry, eco-friendly, civilized countryside, effective governance, and affluent living, and then further explore the changes in their comprehensive rural development level and development pattern. Finally, the main drivers of sustainable development in rural areas and their dynamic impacts are studied and analyzed using the boosted regression trees method. The research results show that: (1) from 2009 to 2020, all five aspects of rural development in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei rural areas have progressed to different degrees, among which the development level of affluent living has progressed very significantly and is the primary driver of sustainable rural development in the region; (2) the development level of rural areas in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region has improved in general, but the development speed of major agricultural areas such as Baoding, Xingtai and Handan slower; (3) improving rural medical and health conditions, narrowing the urban–rural gap, and activating farmers’ vitality are the main ways to promote sustainable rural development. The results of the study help to gain an in-depth understanding of the rural development in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and also have important reference significance for sustainable rural development in other countries or regions.

Sustainable Agricultural Development Models of the Ecologically Vulnerable Karst Areas in Southeast Yunnan from the Perspective of Human–Earth Areal System

Rocky desertification in ecologically-fragile karst areas limit regional socio-economic development in the face of significant human–earth conflict. Coordination of ecological restoration and agricultural development is critical for sustainable development in karst areas. From the perspective of the human–earth areal system, the framework of sustainable agricultural development was proposed in typically karst areas. We integrated principles of ecological vulnerability, resource and environmental carrying capacity, agricultural foundation, suitability of agricultural land, and the farmers’ willingness. In this study, we found the ecological vulnerability of Guangnan County was slight, but the proportion of moderate and severe vulnerability areas was high, with significant differences between the two sides of the line “Zhe (Zhetu)-Lian (Liancheng)-Yang (Yang Liu-jing)-Ban (Banbang)”. Then, we divided Guangnan County into three ecologically vulnerable zones. Following that, we proposed sustainable agricultural models for various zones. In slightly to mildly vulnerable zones, we propose constructing economic–ecological agricultural models, including woody oil, plateau characteristic fruiting forest, ecological tea plantations, suburban agriculture, and cultural–ecological tourism. In moderately to severely vulnerable zones, we recommend developing a stereoscopic agriculture model that combines planting and breeding, vegetation restoration, and herbivorous animal husbandry. In extremely vulnerable zones, we suggest constructing an ecologically natural restoration model and an agricultural ecological–tourism model. Our research provides references for ecological restoration, agricultural development, poverty alleviation consolidation, and rural revitalization in ecologically vulnerable karst areas of southeast Yunnan and similar regions.

A Frugal Eco-Innovation Policy? Ecological Poverty Alleviation in Contemporary China from a Perspective of Eco-Civilization Progress

Ecological poverty alleviation is a discursive and policy system with rich theoretical implications, comprehensive policy tools and multiple practical approaches, constituting an important dimension of contemporary Chinese poverty alleviation theory and practice, or a complete case of eco-innovation. Promoting green development, establishing ecological public-welfare compensation mechanisms and organizing ecological relocation are the three major modes or paths of implementing this policy. It is undoubtedly a historic success on the one hand and has still great potential for self-adjustment or self-transformation on the other from a perspective of eco-civilization progress or sustainability.