Rural homestays are a vital component of rural tourism development. With the deep implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, rural homestays have increasingly become a focal point for young urban tourists. Based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model, this study systematically explores the impacts of the brand experience, information quality, and tourism atmosphere of rural homestays on the emotions and satisfaction of young urban tourists through an empirical analysis. The data for the study came from a questionnaire survey of various rural lodgings in the city of Beijing, resulting in 428 valid samples. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), this study revealed that brand experience, information quality, and tourism atmosphere are external stimuli that significantly influence tourist emotions. Specifically, these three factors both enhance positive emotions and reduce or alleviate negative emotions. Furthermore, the positive emotions have a significant positive effect on tourist satisfaction, while negative emotions have a significant negative impact. Specific recommendations for rural homestay operations based on these findings are given. These recommendations will not only help to improve the market competitiveness of rural homestays but also provide valuable theoretical and practical insights for the sustainable development of rural tourism.

Climate change has become a significant global issue, impacting various sectors, including ski tourism. In recent years, the intersection between climate change and ski tourism has gained considerable attention. To explore this topic, we reviewed recent research papers published in recent years on ski tourism, snow, and ice sports, and climate change and selected the three dimensions of ski resorts, ski tourists, and governments and communities where ski resorts are located to summarize and analyze the literature from the perspective of stakeholders. The results revealed the following perspectives. First, climate change has led to reduced natural snowfall at ski resorts, resulting in shorter ski seasons. This has caused operational challenges, particularly for smaller, lower-altitude resorts, and decreased tourist satisfaction and loyalty, leading to fewer ski trips, shorter stays, and a shift toward alternative destinations. Additionally, ski tourism's decline negatively affects the economies and environments of the regions dependent on this industry. Second, strategies to mitigate climate change's impact on ski tourism are essential. Ski resorts can utilize artificial snowmaking equipment and the extension of effective skiing time. Ski tourists, following the leisure substitution theory, may shift their destinations or adjust their skiing schedules. Governments can counter the effects of climate change by developing infrastructure, integrating regional resources, and enhancing overall competitiveness.

Ice-snow tourism is emerging as a vital sector for economic growth. As the climate crisis affects traditional ice-snow tourism destinations, southern China has built a significant ice-snow tourism sector. This expansion is fueled by significant tourist demand, a robust economy, and a high population density, which together lead to different development opportunities for ice-snow tourism in mid- and low-latitude areas. This study examines cities in southern provinces and assesses the resource endowment of ice-snow tourism resources from 2018 to 2023 in five categories: ice-snow events, ice-snow festivals, ice-snow venues, ice-snow parks, and ice-snow attractions. By utilizing Baidu Index data, the research looks at the gap between resource endowment and internet attention in winter tourism using a spatial mismatch model. The findings indicate that: (1) Ice-snow tourism endowment in South China is currently limited but experiencing rapid growth. (2) Internet attention in winter tourism within these cities varies, following an “up-down-up” trend. (3) There is a mismatch between resource endowment and internet attention. Over time, the development paths of ice-snow tourism in southern cities can be classified into three types: priority development, active development, and inertial development, influenced by factors such as policy changes, urban economic conditions, overall tourism development, and natural geography.

Soundscape is critical in shaping tourists’ experiences and perceptions of the acoustic environment of a park. Creating a well-perceived soundscape is an important factor in enhancing the quality of scenic spots and improving visitor satisfaction in parks. This study selected Park 1903 and Xishan Forest Park as examples of urban parks and forest parks to analyze variations in sound levels and sound source types in two different types of parks. Then, a structural equation model was constructed to unveil the correlation between soundscape perception and visitor satisfaction. The results showed that sound source perception was relatively lower in Park 1903 than in Xishan Forest Park, where natural sounds were more popular among tourists. Further, the perceived occurrence of sounds was higher in Park 1903 than in Xishan Forest Park. The sound level in Park 1903 slightly exceeded the noise limit (55 dB(A)) for Class 1 acoustic environment functional areas, as per the Environmental Quality Standard for Noise (GB 3096-2008), while the sound level in Xishan Forest Park complied with this standard. In Park 1903, soundscape pleasantness improved with increasing degrees of dominance of artificial sounds. Moreover, soundscape pleasantness and richness in both parks had a positive effect on visitor soundscape satisfaction. Furthermore, gender and education level were the most influential factors for soundscape perception in Park 1903 and Xishan Forest Park, respectively. However, age and place of residence were not correlated with soundscape perception in Xishan Forest Park. In conclusion, the variations in sound sources and visitor characteristics remarkably affected visitor soundscape perception in different types of parks. The findings provide valuable insights and a theoretical basis for designing soundscapes and improving park visitor satisfaction.

Tracking and investigating tourist satisfaction and accurately identifying the key factors that affect tourist satisfaction have always been among the top priorities for academia and tourist attraction operators. With the rise of online travel, analysis based on online comments has become an important method for tracking and surveying tourist satisfaction. This article examined the online comments of tourists for the Panjin Red Beach Scenic Corridor Scenic Area (hereinafter referred to as Red Beach) on Ctrip as an example. Using natural language processing to classify the tourist evaluations into topics, the main topics of concern were identified as tourism services, tourism attractions, scenic area management, and tourism experience. Through the 5-level rating of Ctrip’s online gaming customer satisfaction, an analysis was conducted on tourist satisfaction and the topics of greatest concern to the tourists were ranked. The results showed that the satisfaction levels from high to low are: tourism experience, tourism attractions, scenic area management, and tourism services. Therefore, satisfaction with related content under the service topic was the lowest so this aspect urgently needs to be improved and enhanced.

Red tourism in China has expanded significantly since 2004, driven by government initiatives focused on economic development, cultural preservation, and Communist Party promotion. Despite this growth, red tourism often fails to engage tourists effectively due to a lack of focus on their experiences. This study employed the Q method with 31 samples to identify four key components of memorable red tourism experiences: identity experience, mixed emotional experience, cost-effective experience, and knowledge experience. Theoretically, this study underscores how red tourism can fulfill personal political goals and highlights the impact of affordability on creating memorable experiences. It also challenges the idea that hedonism is central to red tourism, while stressing the importance of cultural authenticity. The findings provide practical guidance for red tourism destination management to create more engaging and meaningful experiences. The recommendations include enhancing experiential atmospheres, incorporating red cultural elements, and balancing cultural authenticity with entertainment.

Developing sports tourism to attract more visitors and bring more employment opportunities to residents has become an important means of promoting rural revitalization in China. However, its impact on the well-being of rural residents has not been explored. Based on first-hand questionnaire data collected from Huangsha Village in China and the methods of factor analysis and multiple regression analysis, this study investigates the influence of perceived impacts of sports tourism on the subjective well-being of rural residents. The results indicate that the more positive the rural residents’ perception of sports tourism impacts, the better their subjective well-being. The participation of residents in sports tourism was confirmed to be a mediator. This study provides a theoretical foundation and practical guide for the sustainable development of rural sports tourism destinations from the residents’ perspective, which may also contribute meaningfully to our understanding of tourism development from a resource management perspective.

Substantial evidence suggests that the utilization of green spaces may have a significant impact on the physical, psychological, and social health and well-being of children. Therefore, the decline in green space usage among contemporary children indicates a need to explore the factors that affect the frequency of park usage. In this study, a multi-level regression model was developed and used to identify the factors influencing children’s use of green parks. Six urban parks in the central city of Shanghai, China, were taken as cases, and the influencing factors of 317 children aged 6-9 years were examined using the two levels of parents and parks. Parental factors included the parents’ perception of benefits obtained from park activities, their own childhood outdoor experience, their working hours, and their worries about the potential for accidents. The natural environment scoring tool was adopted for evaluating park features. According to the results, for children aged 6-9 years, parental factors play a decisive role in promoting or preventing their connection with urban parks. The urban park factors, especially their usability, are also important factors promoting children’s park use. Therefore, to improve the interaction between children and urban parks, various methods and approaches can be adopted such as education of the parents, green space management, urban planning, and social marketing.

Understanding and managing the changing landscape of our planet requires analyzing land use and land cover (LULC) transitions. This study combines remote sensing data and GIS analysis to uncover the intricate patterns and drivers behind these transitions. By integrating GIS analysis, we identify factors such as urbanization, agricultural expansion, deforestation, and natural resource management contributing to these changes. Accurate data preprocessing and calibration are emphasized to reduce errors and uncertainties in LULC maps. The study covers the period from 2017 to 2022, utilizing digitized LULC maps created with GIS tools and satellite data interpretation, specifically Sentinel-2 images. The landscape was classified into seven land cover types: agricultural land, built-up areas, barren or degraded land, flooded vegetation areas, forests, vegetation or shrub-covered areas, and waterbodies. Findings revealed a decrease of 1063.73 km² in barren land between 2017 and 2022. Agricultural land expanded by 228.93 km², forest land increased by 632.90 km², and waterbodies grew by 33.05 km². These changes suggest a conversion of areas likely influenced by the high intensity of rainfall between 2017 and 2022, leading to notable ecological consequences such as reduced soil erosion and improved biodiversity protection. The study's results have significant implications for land management, environmental protection, and sustainable development. The extensive analysis of spatial and temporal data equips policymakers, urban planners, and researchers with crucial knowledge to make well-informed decisions. This research provides a solid basis for monitoring and managing LULC transitions, offering valuable methodologies and insights to promote a resilient and harmonious coexistence between human activities and the environment.

Rapid population growth, industrialization, and urbanization are driving an increasing demand for land in various industries, which is reducing the available cultivated land resources. This study used the Land-use Dynamic Degree Model and Geo-Detector to explore the spatial and temporal variations in cultivated land resources and the driving factors of cultivated land changes in Anhui Province from 2009 to 2018, using data on cultivated land area and socio-economic indicators. The findings showed reductions in both the total cultivated land area and the per capita cultivated land area in Anhui Province from 2009 to 2018. Most prefecture-level cities experienced reductions in their cultivated land area, with only a few showing increases. All prefecture-level cities except Wuhu City showed decreasing trends in per capita cultivated land area. The changes in the cultivated land area in Anhui Province have been influenced by various socio-economic factors. The impacts of interaction factors were more significant than those of any single factor during the study period. Among these interaction factors, the regional economic structure, level of agricultural technology, state of agricultural production, status of rural development, condition of the rural labor force, and governmental investment and regulation were shown to be crucial and prioritized. These factors significantly contributed to the variations in cultivated land area within Anhui Province. Therefore, balancing the relationship between economic growth and cultivated land preservation, especially strictly implementing cultivated land protection policies, is significantly beneficial for achieving sustainable socio-economic development.

With the rapid development of urbanization and industrialization in China, the expansion of construction land and irrational utilization of cultivated land have led to issues such as cultivated land marginalization, extensive use, non-grain conversion, and non-agriculturalization. These issues are a major threat to sustainable agricultural development, but existing research suffers from limitations including failure to assess the multifunctionality of cultivated land (MCL) from the perspective of sustainable agricultural development. This study constructed an agricultural production function (APF)-social security function (SSF)-ecological maintenance function (EMF)-landscape aesthetic function (LAF) classification system. Using this comprehensive evaluation model, the MCL values for typical provinces in southwestern mountainous areas of China (Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan) were calculated in detail, and their spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics were explored. Concurrently, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, geographically weighted regression (GWR) and redundancy model were used to deeply explore the relationships among cultivated land functions and their influencing factors. The results showed three important points. (1) Over the past two decades, the comprehensive values and four sub-functional values of cultivated land in southwestern mountainous areas have shown increasing trends in the order of SSF > EMF > LAF > APF. The values and rates of change of each sub-functional value show obvious spatial variation. However, the spatial gap in cultivated land functions has adverse effects on sustainable agricultural development. (2) There are clear correlations between each pair of the four major functions of cultivated land during the study period, and the number of results reaching significance among the six correlations between the four main cultivated land functions increased significantly from 2000 to 2020. Simultaneously, there are noticeable spatiotemporal differences in the trade-offs and synergies among the MCLs. (3) The development of MCL is most significantly influenced by socioeconomic factors such as the per capita net income of rural residents. Therefore, formulating reasonable land protection policies is imperative for promoting the sustainable development of agriculture. The results of this study can provide guidance for the rational layout and coordinated development of MCL space, for promoting sustainable agricultural development and ensuring food security.

Avian brood parasitism constitutes a classical model for studying coevolution. The discovery and reporting of cuckoo parasitism on various new hosts contribute to a deeper comprehension of the coevolutionary relationships between these parasites and their hosts. This study involved field monitoring of the black-browed reed warbler (Acrocephalus bistrigiceps, BRW) in a reed wetland of northeast China during the breeding seasons for 13 consecutive years (2012-2024). A total of 677 BRW nests were monitored, and only three cases of cuckoo parasitism were detected, for a parasitism rate of 0.44%. An egg recognition experiment indicated that the BRW possesses a relatively strong egg recognition ability and can effectively reject foreign parasitic eggs. The color characteristics of common cuckoo and BRW eggs are considerably different. Through the analysis and comparison of egg color spectra between cuckoo and warbler eggs, combined with the field cuckoo parasitism rate and egg recognition ability of warblers, we concluded that the BRW is not a commonly used host for the common cuckoo.

Objectives: To investigate the diversity and community composition of endophytes in Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) Ying. Methods: S. hexandrum samples (n=15) were collected at five sites on the Tibetan Plateau. High quality sequences from high-throughput sequencing were clustered into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) by Clustering and Classification Inference with U-Statistics, and the OTUs were further divided into different genera according to Ribosomal Database Project classification. Alpha and beta diversity analyses were conducted to explore community diversity and composition. Results: A total of 1221 OTUs were obtained, representing 133 genera (with 98 specific to genus). The QJ and XH sampling sites had the most (n=67) and fewest (n=36) genera, respectively. The dominant fungi at the DT, LD, QJ and XH sites were Ascomycota, while the dominant fungi at the BX site were Basidiomycota. Tetracladium, Exophiala and Pseudogymnoascus showed obvious host preference in all samples. The dominant fungi in the three provinces were Tetracladium, Penicillium, and Cantharellales, respectively. The Shannon-Weiner diversity indices of the 15 samples ranged from 0.48 to 3.10. Endophytic fungi were clustered into three branches based on geographical location. Conclusion: Our findings provide a research basis for the exploitation and utilization of national medicinal plants with abundant microbial resources.

This study investigates the adaptation capability of local indigenous communities and the obstacles to adaptation based on the ecosystem in the Kaptai Lake area in Bangladesh. The study is based on a semi- structured questionnaire survey among the purposively selected 150 respondents from the indigenous communities in three villages in the study area. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) has been facilitated among the community leaders. The study identifies that ecosystem services are assessed on the socio-cultural dimension, behavioral compliance with management and policies, benefits from ecosystem services, conservation approaches, and sustainability evaluation. The respondents feel they benefited from the ecosystem in agriculture, fishing, small businesses, and tourism activities. The respondents emphasize several initiatives such as forest conservation, reducing illegal housing and deforestation, community participation, indigenous knowledge, diversified agriculture, and business activities. The FGD suggests sustainable agriculture, medical plant cultivation, ecotourism development, freshwater management, and reduced emissions. Several initiatives, such as benefits, regulation, preservation and adaptation, decision-making, and Indigenous knowledge, are essential for the adaptation capabilities of Indigenous communities based on ecosystem services. The study recommends natural ecosystems, protection of livelihoods, community participation, and investment in sustainable ecosystem services for ensuring the economic, social, and environmental well-being of indigenous communities.

High-precision models enable the visualization of spatiotemporal patterns of soil microorganisms in the Qinghai- Xizang Plateau, a region highly sensitive to global change. However, large-scale, high-resolution data on soil bacterial and fungal communities, particularly in relation to the ecological impacts of fencing, remains relatively scarce, thereby limiting studies on the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of soil fungi and bacteria. This study constructed models of soil fungal and bacterial abundance and α-diversity (total abundance, major phylum abundance, primary functional group abundance, and species/phylogenetic/functional α-diversity) in the alpine grasslands of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, based on observational data and utilizing the random forest method. Under fencing conditions, the variations in soil fungal and bacterial abundance and α-diversity were collectively explained by temperature, precipitation, and radiation, accounting for 46%-88% of the variation; while under grazing conditions, the inclusion of NDVI allowed these four factors to explain 47%-92% of the variation. The relative biases between simulated and observed values for fungal and bacterial abundance and α-diversity were lower than 10.83%, and the simulated values explained the variation in observed values ranging from 75% to 100%. The slopes of the linear regressions between observed and simulated values ranged between 0.81 and 1.00. Consequently, the random forest models constructed in this study demonstrated high accuracy and they can predicted the total abundance, major phylum abundance, primary functional group abundance, and α-diversity of soil microorganisms in alpine grasslands. These models can serve as a robust foundation for future related research.

The Beijing Ecological Conservation Area is evolving into a modern green development demonstration zone, where river basin water quality is improving, rural industries are being transformed, and ecological value is being converted into economic value. Academic research has gradually expanded with the opening of construction practices. Against the backdrop of the main functional zoning, the Beijing Ecological Conservation Area is guiding the differentiated development of Beijing's mountainous areas, while accounting for the developmental constraints of higher-level planning and the requirements for regional economic growth and providing decision-making references for policy formulation and engineering construction. This study outlines the overarching characteristics of theoretical research on the Beijing Ecological Conservation Area by synthesizing two decades of academic progress through four key themes: (1) Cultivation and realization mechanisms for ecological product value; (2) Rural socio-economic development and functional evolution; (3) Watershed water conservation and ecological barrier construction; and (4) The equilibrium between ecological preservation and industrial development. Finally, by analyzing the inherent constraints and balance between ecological protection and economic development, the modern developmental logic of the Beijing Ecological Conservation Area is elucidated. Building on this analysis, future research directions are proposed across three dimensions: technical methodologies, paradigm establishment for research topics, and the optimization of research perspectives and objectives.

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) initiative in Maharashtra addresses the critical need to balance development with environmental conservation by ensuring compensatory afforestation for diverted forest lands. It manages funds collected from agencies using forest areas for non-forest purposes, ensuring their proper utilization for reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration. This initiative is crucial for maintaining ecological balance, mitigating climate change impacts, and promoting sustainable development in the state, while also providing transparency in the management of environmental compensation funds. This research examines the factors influencing the success of CAMPA plantations in western and central Maharashtra, India. We employed field surveys, SWOT analysis, and stakeholder interviews to assess plantation outcomes and challenges. Our analysis revealed strengths like natural forests, good rainfall, and suitable soil, alongside weaknesses such as challenging terrain, water scarcity, and wildlife interference. Opportunities for improvement include promoting natural regeneration, implementing water and soil conservation practices, and fostering local community involvement. Threats to success come from monsoon inaccessibility, inappropriate species selection, and wildlife disturbance. The study emphasizes a two-pronged approach for successful CAMPA initiatives. First, technical considerations like irrigation during initial years, planting mature saplings, and constructing large cattle-proof trenches are crucial for sapling survival, water conservation, and soil protection. Second, effective management practices are equally important. Timely access to funding ensures proper implementation, while engaging local communities through Gram Sabha (village assembly) fosters a sense of ownership and promotes plantation protection. Flexibility in planning allows for adaptation to diverse site conditions. Therefore, site observations, consultations with forest officials and key informants (to rank the crucial success factors) enabled this study to fetch dynamic results. In a nutshell, this research highlights the importance of combining scientific knowledge with community participation for building resilient and sustainable CAMPA initiatives. Stakeholders, despite minor variations in emphasis, agree on core success factors: community involvement, animal protection through large trenches, and securing funding.

The governance of rural human settlements has long relied on a government-led model, leading to the dilemma of high costs and low effectiveness. Although farmer participation is regarded as crucial for improving governance efficiency, its specific pathways of influence remain unclear. This study constructed a theoretical framework to analyze how farmer participation affects the efficiency of village-level human settlement governance. Based on survey data from 1401 farmers and 192 villages in Northwest Fujian Province, this study employed the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to measure governance efficiency, used the Tobit model to explore the pathways of impacts from farmer participation, and established a mediation effect model to test the intermediary roles of democratic supervision and demand responsiveness. Key findings: (1) Farmer participation enhances the governance efficiency of rural human settlements through the logical chain of “empowerment” - “government-society interaction” - “common governance”. (2) Democratic supervision and demand responsiveness exhibit significant mediation effects, indicating that farmer participation improves governance efficiency by activating these mechanisms. Policy implications: Farmer participation, reinforced by democratic supervision and demand-responsive mechanisms, serves as an endogenous driver for enhancing governance efficiency. Policy design should focus on institutionalizing participatory channels, optimizing closed-loop demand-response systems, and strengthening the environmental protection capacities of farmers. Future research should be extended to regional comparisons and dynamic effect analyses to validate the universality of these mechanisms.

Organic tea insurance is essential for protecting the livelihoods of tea farmers, yet its uptake remains limited due to a potential misalignment between the program’s design and farmers' objectives. This study used a discrete choice experiment to explore how risk perceptions and information asymmetry influence farmers’ decisions to purchase organic tea insurance. It also assessed the role of farmer cooperative organizations in facilitating these decisions. We collected data from 323 tea farmers in Anhui Province to estimate their willingness to pay (WTP) for specific insurance features. The results indicate a preference for having organic tea insurance, especially among farmers who have experienced agricultural disasters and are informed about insurance options. However, participation in farmer cooperatives did not significantly enhance mutual understanding or trust in the insurance scheme. Using a random parameter logit model, we found that the WTP varied significantly with changes in the insurance claim starting point (by 1258.44 yuan ha^-1) and the government subsidy ratio (by 819.69 yuan ha^-1). In contrast, modifications in claim payment timing and total indemnity affected WTP minimally, the impact of claim payment time on WTP is 19.70 yuan ha^-1, and the change in total indemnity has an impact of 0.32 yuan ha^-1 on WTP. Applying a latent class model, we categorized farmers into two distinct groups based on their attribute preferences and price sensitivities, which remained consistent across robustness tests using an attribute non-attendance regression. This study offers new insights into farmers’ preferences and behaviors toward organic tea insurance, emphasizing the significance of risk experience and information symmetry in their decision-making processes.

The spatial configuration of historical canal villages and towns is crucial to their overall structural framework. Moreover, it serves as a fundamental element in the manifestation of architectural style, the promotion of vitality, and the enhancement of environmental conditions. This study used Google Maps and field research to examine the spatial perception of Xiangxi Pushi Ancient Town by analyzing node space, street space components, and visual data. It investigates the spatial structure characteristics of ancient canal villages and towns at three levels: point-like space, line-like space, and point-line association. Furthermore, this study evaluates these characteristics based on three perspectives: macroscopic, mesoscopic, and microscopic. The text subsequently elucidates its formation mechanism, along with the cultural aspects of watersheds following the construction of canals. The results showed that the point space of Pushi Ancient Town is relatively complete; however, the overall structure is loose, and the core is not strong. The linear space utilizes the main street as its framework, while certain internal and external streets and lanes have isolation and insufficient connectivity. Simultaneously, some important nodes are marginalized, and the connectivity and overall synergy between the point and line spaces require improvement. This study provides a theoretical foundation and practical reference for examining the sustainable development of villages and towns, as well as watershed culture in the post-canal era.

Promoting sustainable livelihoods for villagers is an essential strategy for rural revitalization in areas enriched with heritage sites. Northwest Yunnan, despite being one of China’s poorest regions, is globally renowned for the Three Parallel Rivers and its premier hiking destinations, so exploring sustainable income-increasing opportunities for its villagers is important for its rural revitalization. By using density analysis, logical matrix construction and cluster analysis with GPS data, this study explored the spatial distribution characteristics of hiking tourism in Northwest Yunnan and identified the hiking popular areas. A revenue generation framework, informed by Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) and customized to the unique hiking characteristics of such popular areas, was constructed to analyze income opportunities for villagers in these areas, so as to offer theoretical support for the hiking tourism development and rural revitalization in this region. The results showed that: (1) The distribution of hiking points of interest (POIs) in Northwest Yunnan was relatively centralized with three agglomeration areas from north to south, namely, the Deqin Agglomeration Area, the Lijiang-Shangri-La Agglomeration Area, and the Dali-Yangbi Agglomeration Area. (2) Northwest Yunnan mainly had three popular hiking areas and eight hiking sub-areas correspondingly. (3) The income-generating opportunities for villagers mainly included unique accommodation and food service, guide and gear transportation services, equipment supply, tourism product sales, and logistics support for hiking races. It indicated that due to the differing temporal-spatial characteristics, and themes of activities in each hiking sub-area, the approaches to revenue generation are uniquely distinctive for each sub-area. The diverse tourism-related livelihoods of villagers enrich tourists’ experiences while the nature of tourist activities guides the villagers’ livelihood choices. Hiking tourism serves as a vital avenue for economic growth in areas like Northwestern Yunnan, where villagers can significantly boost their income by offering a variety of tourism services.

The Yellow River Basin acts as both a national ecological barrier and a core area for high-quality development strategies. It encompasses nine provincial-level administrative regions and serves as an exemplary case for studying the cross-scale co-evolution of human-land systems. This study centers on the dual driving forces of new urbanization and tourism economy, aiming to address the critical question of “how can these two systems achieve mutual promotion and coordination?”, which has significant practical implications for optimizing the human-land relationship in the basin. Drawing on panel data from 2011 to 2022, this study applied a coupling coordination model and spatial convergence econometric methods to uncover the spatio-temporal patterns of coupling coordination between the two systems across the nine provinces and autonomous regions along the Yellow River. The key findings are threefold. (1) New urbanization demonstrated a steady yet gradual upward trend, whereas the tourism economy exhibited a “growth-decline” fluctuation pattern, revealing a notable temporal mismatch between the two systems. (2) Although the coupling coordination degree of the two systems is progressing toward an orderly structure, the overall level remains relatively low, with the new urbanization system being the primary constraint on overall coupling coordination due to significant impediments in the economic, spatial, social, and ecological dimensions of urbanization. (3) Significant convergence in the coupling coordination degree of the two systems was observed at the basin-wide level and in the upper reaches, although the influencing factors differ. In contrast, no convergence trend was evident in the middle and lower reaches, reflecting the path-dependent characteristics of the basin’s gradient development pattern. This study elucidates the coupling and coordination relationship between the two systems, thereby providing a robust scientific foundation for the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.

Rice is not only the most basic staple crop, but also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Negative emission options that can guarantee food security are urgently needed. In this study, we analyzed the temporal and spatial dynamics of GHGs from four types of rice in China, namely early indica rice, mid-season indica rice, late indica rice, and japonica rice, and estimated their mitigation potentials. The main results are fourfold. (1) The annual average GHGs per hectare was 4513.5 kg CO₂-eq ha^-1, increasing gradually from 2005 to 2020, while there was an opposite trend in annual average GHGs efficiency (0.4 kg CO₂-eq yuan^-1). The GHGs intensity was 0.9 kg CO₂-eq kg^-1 and remained constant in the same period. (2) The GHGs per unit (sowing area, output or output value) in central and southeastern China were higher than those in the north and west. (3) The GHGs per unit (area, yield or output value) of late indica rice were the highest while the corresponding values for japonica rice were the lowest. (4) The GHGs per hectare might be able to achieve a 20% reduction from the 2020 level, providing that cropland redistribution and mitigation measures are adopted. Finally, we put forward policy proposals and available measures for emission reduction to promote the sustainable development of agricultural systems.

China’s rapid economic growth since 2000 has been closely linked to an increase in environmental pollution, and industrial wastewater discharge during the industrialization process has significantly impacted the country’s ecological environment. While early industrialization was strongly associated with environmental degradation, the situation has improved over time, largely due to the implementation of environmental protection policies and technological innovations. However, the long-term effects of industrialization on the environment remain, with significant regional disparities. Through Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), this study examines the spatial and temporal trends of industrial pollution discharges in China from 2000 to 2021 and their drivers. The results show a sharp rise in discharges during the early stages of that period, peaking around 2011. Since then, the discharges have declined steadily following the adoption of environmental policies and technological advances, supporting the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Spatially, discharges from developed regions in the east and south were markedly higher than those from other areas, reflecting significant regional imbalances. Moran’s I analysis further demonstrated a spatial clustering effect, with high discharges concentrated in a small number of provinces. Considering these findings, this study recommends further reductions in industrial pollutant discharges and fostering sustainable economic and environmental development through the enhancement of environmental technologies, the optimization of industrial structures, and the promotion of coordinated regional governance.

The coordinated development of ecological security (ES) and high-quality economic development (HQED) is of great significance to the integrated sustainable development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration. In this study, the entropy weight-TOPSIS model and the improved coupling coordination degree (CCD) model were used to analyze the coupling coordination mechanism of ES and HQED. The results indicate that the level of ES in the YRD showed a fluctuating upward trend from 0.475 in 2000 to 0.481 in 2020, while HQED continued to rise from 0.097 in 2000 to 0.232 in 2020, and the coordinated development index of ES and HQED increased from 0.293 in 2000 to 0.795 in 2020, highlighting an obvious trend of balanced development. Notably, the eastern coastal cities exhibited superior HQED and ES levels, with a better CCD, compared to the inland cities. The multi-scale geographically weighted regression model (MGWR) analysis shows that industrial structure, production efficiency and urbanization rate were key factors in the imbalanced development of the YRD. Finally, policy suggestions are proposed from the aspects of strengthening technological and industrial innovation and comprehensively promoting new urbanization.

Stray dog invasion caused by human activities poses a significant challenge to wildlife communities worldwide. Conservation biology efforts must prioritize controlling stray dog populations to maintain equilibrium within local wildlife communities. In the Helan Mountains, ungulate population recovery and the absence of top predators present critical issues. The presence of a stray dog as a predator may complicate ecological restoration efforts in the region. Through molecular and camera trapping data analyses, we investigated the overlap of ecological niches between stray dogs and local carnivores across nutritional and spatiotemporal dimensions. The results revealed a high overlap between stray dogs and local carnivores across various niches, likely linked to food abundance, suggesting the possibility of increased future competition between them. Stray dogs cannot be ignored when conservation of wild carnivores involved.

Based on data from Beijing museums spanning 1980 to 2020, this study employs spatial analysis methods such as geographical concentration index, imbalance index, kernel density and standard deviation ellipse characterize the temporal and spatial evolution of Beijing museums and analyze their influencing factors. The research shows that the museum development in Beijing has undergone three stages: a slow start, high-speed development and high-quality upgrading. The development of cultural relics and industrial museums tends towards balance, and the market-oriented development of museums continues to improve. The “single core” concentration distribution of Beijing museums is prominent, showing a typical “center edge” distribution with a trend of new core formation during expansion. Temporally, Beijing museums exhibit an inverted “L” evolution pattern, trending from north to east with Haidian and Chaoyang districts poised to become new centers. Distribution across intervals is uneven, yet the overall pattern is evolving towards a balanced distribution. The research on factors influencing the spatial distribution of museums, including population, resources, economy, and transportation, innovatively introduces educational factors. It shows that Beijing museums are transforming from “population driven” and “resource driven” to “education driven” over time.

Based on the theories of sustainable tourism development, tourism lifecycle, and stakeholder theory, and guided by the “production-living-ecological space” concept, this study refines and supplements the research established by relevant scholars to construct a structural equation model focusing on production, living, ecology, and residents’ attitudes towards the development of mountain outdoor tourism. The purpose of the study is to promote the participation and support of residents in tourist areas in the development of outdoor tourism, which holds certain significance in advancing rural revitalization and sustainable development in the region. Through analyzing the data gathered primarily from residents of Siguniang Mountain Town using SPSS and SmartPLS data analysis software, this research reveals following conclusions: (1) There is a significant interaction between “production, living, and ecological space”, with living spaces having the most notable impact on the relationship with ecological spaces; (2) Perception of production has a marked impact on both living perception and ecological perception; (3) The lifestyle and ecological concepts of residents have a significant impact on their attitudes towards the development of mountain outdoor tourism. The results of this study will contribute to further exploration of mountain outdoor tourism and residents' attitudes, providing reference for local management and tourism development.

This paper explores the pathway toward harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature through the lens of ecotourism, delving into its impact on tourists’ cognition of the natural environment, cultivation of emotional connections, and its pivotal role in shaping environmentally responsible behavior. At the Luya Mountain Scenic Area, a case study was conducted in July 2021, collecting 632 valid tourist questionnaires to investigate the nexus among “ecotourism experience”, “emotional experience”, and “environmental responsibility behavior” using structural equation modeling. Moreover, the relationship between tourism and daily environmental behavior was scrutinized with canonical correlation analysis. The findings unveil several substantial revelations: (1) Engagement experience significantly and positively influences tourists’ inclination toward responsible behavior. (2) Emotional experience mediates the relationship between educational, engagement, and escapism experiences and the inclination to act responsibly. (3) The utilization of digital information technologies positively moderates the conversion of emotional experience into a willingness to behave responsibly. (4) Ecotourism responsibility is linked to daily behavior, and cognitive and emotional experiences foster long-term environmental protection. This study provides a pioneering approach to enhancing tourism offerings within the scenic area and nurturing a sustainable human-environment relationship.

Taking Shanghai as an example, this study obtained the online travel notes data from Xiaohongshu and Qunar in the past 10 years to construct the Shanghai tourist flow network (STFN) and used the methods of change point detection (CPD) and complex network analysis (CNA) to reveal the spatial structure characteristics of Shanghai tourism flow and the dynamic evolution process of STFN. The results showed that: (1) In the past 10 years, Shanghai tourist market had experienced a process of evolution from stable and orderly to short-term fluctuation and then gradual recovery, and the year of 2019 was the turning point of tourist flow network evolution. (2) The small-world and approximate scale-free characteristics of STFN were verified, and the network changed from disassortative to temporary assortative, showing a development trend of external expansion and internal separation. (3) While the centrality indicators of tourist flow network remained stable as a whole, the attention to cultural nodes was also increasing with the emergence of new nodes; (4) In terms of spatial connection, new popular nodes emerged and the relationship between them and the surrounding nodes was strengthened; (5) The spatial pattern of tourist flow network presented an inverted “V” shape and gradually expanded to southwest and southeast, forming a network with core nodes as the center and radiating outward. At the same time, newly emerging nodes at the periphery had formed relatively independent clusters.