Understanding the change of land space utilization efficiency with different functions and its coupling coordination: A case study of Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, China

Land spaces function in capacities of urban development,agricultural production,and ecological conservation,among many others.Research of land space utilization efficiency(LSUE)and coupling coordination relationships among its subsystems are significant for sustainable land space development.In this study,taking the Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River(UAMRYR)as the study area,we establish a measurement index system to evaluate the LSUE(2000–2018)and analyze its coupling coordination degree by utilizing an improved coupling coordination model.The main results include the following.(1)The average efficiency levels of urban space and agricultural space in the UAMRYR increased 2000–2018,while the average efficiency of ecological space declined.(2)The spatial pattern of the LSUE values varied greatly,with the distributions of high-efficiency and low-efficiency levels significantly different.(3)The coupling degree of LSUE includes three types,i.e.,high-level coupling,break-in,and antagonism.Each coupling degree type was characterized by change over time.(4)The proportion of areas with high coupling coordination and moderate coupling coordination increased from 2000 to 2018,while the proportion of areas with basic coupling coordination,moderate imbalance,and serious imbalance declined during this period.Given that the spatial differentiation of the LSUE and its coupling coordination,it is necessary to implement a differential land space development strategy in the UAMRYR.This study is helpful to promote the efficient utilization and coordinated development of land space utilization systems.

Traffic accessibility and the coupling degree of ecosystem services supply and demand in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration,China

The spatial relationships between traffic accessibility and supply and demand(S&D)of ecosystem services(ESs)are essential for the formulation of ecological compensation policies and ESs regulation.In this study,an ESs matrix and coupling analysis method were used to assess ESs S&D based on land-use data for 2000,2010,and 2020,and spatial regression models were used to analyze the correlated impacts of traffic accessibility.The results showed that the ESs supply and balance index in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration(MRYRUA)continuously decreased,while the demand index increased from 2000 to 2020.The Gini coefficients of these indices continued to increase but did not exceed the warning value(0.4).The coupling degree of ESs S&D continued to increase,and its spatial distribution patterns were similar to that of the ESs demand index,with significantly higher values in the plains than in the montane areas,contrasting with those of the ESs supply index.The results of global bivariate Moran’s I analysis showed a significant spatial dependence between traffic accessibility and the degree of coupling between ESs S&D;the spatial regression results showed that an increase in traffic accessibility promoted the coupling degree.The present results provide a new perspective on the relationship between traffic accessibility and the coupling degree of ESs S&D,representing a case study for similar future research in other regions,and a reference for policy creation based on the matching between ESs S&D in the MRYRUA.

Impacts of traffic accessibility on ecosystem services:An integrated spatial approach

The continuous degradation of ecosystem services is an important challenge faced by the world.Improvements in transportation infrastructure have had substantial impacts on economic development and ecosystem services.Exploring the influence of traffic accessibility on ecosystem services can delay or stop their deterioration;however,studies on its impact are lacking.This study addresses this gap by analysing the impact of traffic accessibility on ecosystem services using an integrated spatial regression approach based on an evaluation of the ecosystem services value(ESV)and traffic accessibility in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration(MRYRUA)in China.The results indicated that the ESV in the MRYRUA continuously decreased during the study period,and the average ESV in plain areas,areas surrounding the core cities,and areas along the main traffic routes was significantly lower than that in areas along the Yangtze River and the surrounding mountainous areas.Traffic accessibility continued to increase during the study period,and the high-value areas centred on Wuhan,Changsha,Nanchang,and Yichang were radially distributed.The global bivariate spatial autocorrelation coefficient between the average ESV and traffic accessibility was negative.The average ESV and traffic accessibility exhibited significant spatial dependence and spatial heterogeneity.Spatial regression also proved that there was a negative association between the average ESV and traffic accessibility,and scale effects were evident.The findings of this study have important policy implications for future ecological protection and transportation planning.