Multidimensional analysis and enhancement strategies for ecological environment quality at the county level under dual carbon goals: a case study of Shaanxi Province, China

With the intensification of global climate change and environmental degradation, the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality have become crucial strategies for promoting sustainable development in various countries. However, most studies on ecological environment quality (EEQ) focus on urban a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jianfeng Li, Yongxin Hu, Jian Li, Liangyan Yang, Jie Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Environmental Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1513325/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832593968922099712
author Jianfeng Li
Jianfeng Li
Jianfeng Li
Yongxin Hu
Yongxin Hu
Jian Li
Liangyan Yang
Liangyan Yang
Jie Yan
author_facet Jianfeng Li
Jianfeng Li
Jianfeng Li
Yongxin Hu
Yongxin Hu
Jian Li
Liangyan Yang
Liangyan Yang
Jie Yan
author_sort Jianfeng Li
collection DOAJ
description With the intensification of global climate change and environmental degradation, the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality have become crucial strategies for promoting sustainable development in various countries. However, most studies on ecological environment quality (EEQ) focus on urban areas, with limited attention to county-level analyses, particularly regarding the complex interactions between climate, topography, and human activities. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the spatiotemporal evolution and multidimensional driving factors of EEQ in 107 counties of Shaanxi Province, China. Using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and MODIS imagery, along with methods such as the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI), Hurst exponent, and GeoDetector, this study analyzed the evolutionary characteristics and driving mechanisms of county-level EEQ, and explored improvement and management strategies for different types of county EEQ within the framework of dual carbon goals. The results indicate that: 1) From 2000 to 2020, the overall EEQ in Shaanxi Province showed a fluctuating upward trend, improving from a moderate level to a good level, although some counties experienced slight degradation from 2010 to 2020. 2) The spatial distribution of county-level EEQ displayed a “low-high-low-high” gradient from north to south, indicating superior ecological conditions in the southern and central-northern counties, while northern regions faced significant ecological challenges. 3) The future trend of EEQ in Shaanxi Province is expected to be one of continuous improvement, although attention must be paid to the ongoing degradation risks in highly urbanized areas. 4) The spatial differentiation of county-level EEQ is primarily driven by climate factors and influenced by the synergistic effects of multiple factors. For counties with varying levels of EEQ, it is essential to comprehensively consider the interactions between climate, topography, and human factors, and to implement tailored carbon sequestration enhancement strategies. The results not only propose targeted approaches to reinforce carbon storage but also offer valuable policy guidance, thereby making a significant contribution to achieving the dual carbon goals at the county level.
format Article
id doaj-art-ef77cd06f1c74d41863321a84b91216c
institution Kabale University
issn 2296-665X
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Environmental Science
spelling doaj-art-ef77cd06f1c74d41863321a84b91216c2025-01-20T07:20:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2025-01-011310.3389/fenvs.2025.15133251513325Multidimensional analysis and enhancement strategies for ecological environment quality at the county level under dual carbon goals: a case study of Shaanxi Province, ChinaJianfeng Li0Jianfeng Li1Jianfeng Li2Yongxin Hu3Yongxin Hu4Jian Li5Liangyan Yang6Liangyan Yang7Jie Yan8Technology Innovation Center for Land Engineering and Human Settlements, Shaanxi Land Engineering Construction Group Co., Ltd andXi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, ChinaInstitute of Land Engineering and Technology, Shaanxi Provincial Land Engineering Construction Group Co., Ltd., Xi’an, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, ChinaBureau of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and Management, LiuBa, ChinaShaanxi Geological and Mineral Sixth Geological Team Co., Ltd., Xi’an, ChinaTechnology Innovation Center for Land Engineering and Human Settlements, Shaanxi Land Engineering Construction Group Co., Ltd andXi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, ChinaInstitute of Land Engineering and Technology, Shaanxi Provincial Land Engineering Construction Group Co., Ltd., Xi’an, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, ChinaWith the intensification of global climate change and environmental degradation, the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality have become crucial strategies for promoting sustainable development in various countries. However, most studies on ecological environment quality (EEQ) focus on urban areas, with limited attention to county-level analyses, particularly regarding the complex interactions between climate, topography, and human activities. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the spatiotemporal evolution and multidimensional driving factors of EEQ in 107 counties of Shaanxi Province, China. Using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and MODIS imagery, along with methods such as the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI), Hurst exponent, and GeoDetector, this study analyzed the evolutionary characteristics and driving mechanisms of county-level EEQ, and explored improvement and management strategies for different types of county EEQ within the framework of dual carbon goals. The results indicate that: 1) From 2000 to 2020, the overall EEQ in Shaanxi Province showed a fluctuating upward trend, improving from a moderate level to a good level, although some counties experienced slight degradation from 2010 to 2020. 2) The spatial distribution of county-level EEQ displayed a “low-high-low-high” gradient from north to south, indicating superior ecological conditions in the southern and central-northern counties, while northern regions faced significant ecological challenges. 3) The future trend of EEQ in Shaanxi Province is expected to be one of continuous improvement, although attention must be paid to the ongoing degradation risks in highly urbanized areas. 4) The spatial differentiation of county-level EEQ is primarily driven by climate factors and influenced by the synergistic effects of multiple factors. For counties with varying levels of EEQ, it is essential to comprehensively consider the interactions between climate, topography, and human factors, and to implement tailored carbon sequestration enhancement strategies. The results not only propose targeted approaches to reinforce carbon storage but also offer valuable policy guidance, thereby making a significant contribution to achieving the dual carbon goals at the county level.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1513325/fullremote sensing ecological index (RSEI)hurst exponentgoogle earth engine (GEE)geodetectordual carbon goals
spellingShingle Jianfeng Li
Jianfeng Li
Jianfeng Li
Yongxin Hu
Yongxin Hu
Jian Li
Liangyan Yang
Liangyan Yang
Jie Yan
Multidimensional analysis and enhancement strategies for ecological environment quality at the county level under dual carbon goals: a case study of Shaanxi Province, China
Frontiers in Environmental Science
remote sensing ecological index (RSEI)
hurst exponent
google earth engine (GEE)
geodetector
dual carbon goals
title Multidimensional analysis and enhancement strategies for ecological environment quality at the county level under dual carbon goals: a case study of Shaanxi Province, China
title_full Multidimensional analysis and enhancement strategies for ecological environment quality at the county level under dual carbon goals: a case study of Shaanxi Province, China
title_fullStr Multidimensional analysis and enhancement strategies for ecological environment quality at the county level under dual carbon goals: a case study of Shaanxi Province, China
title_full_unstemmed Multidimensional analysis and enhancement strategies for ecological environment quality at the county level under dual carbon goals: a case study of Shaanxi Province, China
title_short Multidimensional analysis and enhancement strategies for ecological environment quality at the county level under dual carbon goals: a case study of Shaanxi Province, China
title_sort multidimensional analysis and enhancement strategies for ecological environment quality at the county level under dual carbon goals a case study of shaanxi province china
topic remote sensing ecological index (RSEI)
hurst exponent
google earth engine (GEE)
geodetector
dual carbon goals
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1513325/full
work_keys_str_mv AT jianfengli multidimensionalanalysisandenhancementstrategiesforecologicalenvironmentqualityatthecountylevelunderdualcarbongoalsacasestudyofshaanxiprovincechina
AT jianfengli multidimensionalanalysisandenhancementstrategiesforecologicalenvironmentqualityatthecountylevelunderdualcarbongoalsacasestudyofshaanxiprovincechina
AT jianfengli multidimensionalanalysisandenhancementstrategiesforecologicalenvironmentqualityatthecountylevelunderdualcarbongoalsacasestudyofshaanxiprovincechina
AT yongxinhu multidimensionalanalysisandenhancementstrategiesforecologicalenvironmentqualityatthecountylevelunderdualcarbongoalsacasestudyofshaanxiprovincechina
AT yongxinhu multidimensionalanalysisandenhancementstrategiesforecologicalenvironmentqualityatthecountylevelunderdualcarbongoalsacasestudyofshaanxiprovincechina
AT jianli multidimensionalanalysisandenhancementstrategiesforecologicalenvironmentqualityatthecountylevelunderdualcarbongoalsacasestudyofshaanxiprovincechina
AT liangyanyang multidimensionalanalysisandenhancementstrategiesforecologicalenvironmentqualityatthecountylevelunderdualcarbongoalsacasestudyofshaanxiprovincechina
AT liangyanyang multidimensionalanalysisandenhancementstrategiesforecologicalenvironmentqualityatthecountylevelunderdualcarbongoalsacasestudyofshaanxiprovincechina
AT jieyan multidimensionalanalysisandenhancementstrategiesforecologicalenvironmentqualityatthecountylevelunderdualcarbongoalsacasestudyofshaanxiprovincechina