A new perspective for enhancing social and ecological systems coordination in ecological restoration

Abstract Background Ecosystem services (ESs) are fundamental to ensuring human well-being and sustainable development. However, the complex nonlinear relationships between ESs and social systems are still not fully recognized at present. Here, we used a comprehensive indicator framework, a coupling...

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Main Authors: Guangjin Zhou, Jixi Gao, Riqi Zhang, Zixiao Yang, Siqi Zhang, Lingqing Wang, Yiming Su, Yizhong Huan, Tao Liang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-02-01
Series:Ecological Processes
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-025-00588-y
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author Guangjin Zhou
Jixi Gao
Riqi Zhang
Zixiao Yang
Siqi Zhang
Lingqing Wang
Yiming Su
Yizhong Huan
Tao Liang
author_facet Guangjin Zhou
Jixi Gao
Riqi Zhang
Zixiao Yang
Siqi Zhang
Lingqing Wang
Yiming Su
Yizhong Huan
Tao Liang
author_sort Guangjin Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Ecosystem services (ESs) are fundamental to ensuring human well-being and sustainable development. However, the complex nonlinear relationships between ESs and social systems are still not fully recognized at present. Here, we used a comprehensive indicator framework, a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, and a GeoDetector model to measure the CCD and development level of ESs and social systems in Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, China from 2000 to 2020, analyze the spatial patterns and temporal variations of their development, and quantify the influence of 15 factors on the spatial heterogeneity of their CCD. Results We observed that the increase of social system development level in Sanmenxia City was higher than that of ESs’ provisioning capacity. From 2000 to 2020, the ecosystem service index value of Sanmenxia City increased by about 25%, while the level of social system development increased by 118.9%. The coordination between ESs and social systems improved by 25%, indicating that their relationships were shifting from trade-offs to synergies. Lushi County (one of the six administrative regions of Sanmenxia City) had the highest level of CCD, but the overall coordination remained relatively weak in Sanmenxia City, and none of the six administrative regions achieved a high level of coordination. CCD was influenced by multiple interacting factors, with topography and land use patterns being the primary drivers. Conclusions Optimizing the spatial layout of ecological space, agricultural space, and urban space based on natural geographic patterns can be an effective way to improve CCD. Accordingly, we identified the impacts of potential barriers on sustainable development and provided multiple possible effective actions. Our findings deepen the knowledge and understanding of the “human-nature relationships”, which are of great significance in promoting the synergistic development of social and ecological systems.
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spelling doaj-art-fd6718ff254b4022882441e4bbffded52025-08-20T03:13:17ZengSpringerOpenEcological Processes2192-17092025-02-0114111310.1186/s13717-025-00588-yA new perspective for enhancing social and ecological systems coordination in ecological restorationGuangjin Zhou0Jixi Gao1Riqi Zhang2Zixiao Yang3Siqi Zhang4Lingqing Wang5Yiming Su6Yizhong Huan7Tao Liang8Satellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and EnvironmentSatellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and EnvironmentCentre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Diplomacy, China Foreign Affairs UniversityKey Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of SciencesKey Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of SciencesCollege of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural UniversityKey Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract Background Ecosystem services (ESs) are fundamental to ensuring human well-being and sustainable development. However, the complex nonlinear relationships between ESs and social systems are still not fully recognized at present. Here, we used a comprehensive indicator framework, a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, and a GeoDetector model to measure the CCD and development level of ESs and social systems in Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, China from 2000 to 2020, analyze the spatial patterns and temporal variations of their development, and quantify the influence of 15 factors on the spatial heterogeneity of their CCD. Results We observed that the increase of social system development level in Sanmenxia City was higher than that of ESs’ provisioning capacity. From 2000 to 2020, the ecosystem service index value of Sanmenxia City increased by about 25%, while the level of social system development increased by 118.9%. The coordination between ESs and social systems improved by 25%, indicating that their relationships were shifting from trade-offs to synergies. Lushi County (one of the six administrative regions of Sanmenxia City) had the highest level of CCD, but the overall coordination remained relatively weak in Sanmenxia City, and none of the six administrative regions achieved a high level of coordination. CCD was influenced by multiple interacting factors, with topography and land use patterns being the primary drivers. Conclusions Optimizing the spatial layout of ecological space, agricultural space, and urban space based on natural geographic patterns can be an effective way to improve CCD. Accordingly, we identified the impacts of potential barriers on sustainable development and provided multiple possible effective actions. Our findings deepen the knowledge and understanding of the “human-nature relationships”, which are of great significance in promoting the synergistic development of social and ecological systems.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-025-00588-yEcosystem servicesCoupling coordination degreeEcological restorationSustainable development goalsSanmenxia
spellingShingle Guangjin Zhou
Jixi Gao
Riqi Zhang
Zixiao Yang
Siqi Zhang
Lingqing Wang
Yiming Su
Yizhong Huan
Tao Liang
A new perspective for enhancing social and ecological systems coordination in ecological restoration
Ecological Processes
Ecosystem services
Coupling coordination degree
Ecological restoration
Sustainable development goals
Sanmenxia
title A new perspective for enhancing social and ecological systems coordination in ecological restoration
title_full A new perspective for enhancing social and ecological systems coordination in ecological restoration
title_fullStr A new perspective for enhancing social and ecological systems coordination in ecological restoration
title_full_unstemmed A new perspective for enhancing social and ecological systems coordination in ecological restoration
title_short A new perspective for enhancing social and ecological systems coordination in ecological restoration
title_sort new perspective for enhancing social and ecological systems coordination in ecological restoration
topic Ecosystem services
Coupling coordination degree
Ecological restoration
Sustainable development goals
Sanmenxia
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-025-00588-y
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