Unveiling the influence pathways of the evolution of human-nature relationships in the Yangtze river delta urban agglomeration

TL;DR

This study examines how human activities and ecosystems interact in the Yangtze River Delta urban area from 2000 to 2020, revealing trends and drivers of human-nature relationships.

Contribution

The study identifies key drivers of human-nature interactions using HFI, EQI, and statistical models in a rapidly urbanizing region.

Findings

Human footprint increased and ecosystem quality declined in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration from 2000 to 2020.

Vegetation cover and human activity intensity were main positive drivers of human-nature coordination.

Terrain and climate were dominant negative drivers of coordination in the region.

Abstract

Understanding the interactions between human activities and ecosystems is crucial to enhancing human well-being and adaptive governance. This study employs the human footprint index (HFI) and the ecosystem quality index (EQI), along with multivariate statistical methods, to analyze human-nature relationships and their driving mechanisms in the Yangtze river delta urban agglomeration (YRDUA). The results show a steady increase in HFI and a decline in EQI from 2000 to 2020 in the YRDUA. The ratio of coordinated to conflicting areas has remained stable at approximately 3:5. Over 95% of the coupling coordination degree (CCD) were classified as primarily or moderately coordinated. Vegetation cover and human activity intensity were the main positive drivers of CCD in coordinated and conflicting regions, respectively, while terrain and climate were the dominant negative drivers. These findings deepen our understanding of human-nature interactions in urbanized areas, offering valuable insights for targeted ecosystem restoration.

•Coordination-to-conflict area ratio in the YRDUA reaches 3:5•Human-nature relationships in the YRDUA display a polarized trend•Drivers of human-nature relationships were identified using RF and PLS-SEM models•Human activities’ positive effects on human-nature relations exceed negative ones

Coordination-to-conflict area ratio in the YRDUA reaches 3:5

Human-nature relationships in the YRDUA display a polarized trend

Drivers of human-nature relationships were identified using RF and PLS-SEM models

Human activities’ positive effects on human-nature relations exceed negative ones

Earth sciences; environmental science; geomatics; urban planning

Figures