[Objective] In the context of the “dual carbon” goals, digitalization is the key approach for manufacturing enterprises to achieve energy-saving and carbon-reducing operations. Building upon an in-depth interpretation of the connotations of digitalization, this study tries to deconstruct the mechanism of how digital transformation drives energy saving and carbon reduction. In doing so, this study aims to enrich micro-level research perspectives and provide new insights for the research on the new integration of digitization and greening in enterprises. [Methods] Using questionnaire survey data collected from 704 manufacturing enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil, this study employed an ordered Probit model and a mediation effect model to systematically evaluate the energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects, heterogeneous characteristics, and influencing pathways of digital transformation. [Results] (1) The digital transformation of enterprises had a significantly positive effect on energy saving and carbon reduction. (2) Digital transformation achieved energy saving and carbon reduction by improving enterprises' energy utilization efficiency, technological R&D capabilities, coordinated collaboration, and supply-demand matching capabilities. (3) The positive effect of digitization on energy saving and carbon reduction was more pronounced for enterprises closer to upstream sectors in the industry chain and with higher industry technology levels. Digital transformation in Chinese and German manufacturing enterprises greatly promoted energy saving and carbon reduction, whereas this effect was not significant in Brazilian manufacturing enterprises. [Conclusion] This study confirms the energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation, which is realized through two influence paths: the production process and the management process. In production processes, these effects manifest as improved energy utilization and R&D capabilities driven by technological progress. In management processes, they are reflected in strengthened coordinated collaboration and supply-demand matching capabilities resulting from reduced information asymmetry.

[Objective]Identifying the core and peripheral areas of a metropolitan region is crucial for analyzing its development issues. Characterizing the core-periphery spatial structure of a metro‐ politan region by coupling the spatial environment and human social activities is of great signifi‐ cance for optimizing the spatial resource allocation of the metropolitan region. [Methods] Focusing on the Guangzhou Metropolitan Region and Shenzhen Metropolitan Region, this study uses multi-source data (land-use data, remote sensing images) and methods like the coupling coordination degree model to identify primary and secondary core area and classify the latter. [Results] (1) From 2010 to 2020, high-quality coordinated areas in both regions increased rapidly, clustering in city centers with well-coordinated areas expanding from center to periphery.(2) The Guangzhou Metropolitan Region’s core area expanded mainly through near-boundary filling, maintaining a relatively stable spatial pattern. In contrast, Shenzhen’s core area expanded corridor-like towards the northeast of Shenzhen City and central-eastern Dongguan City, forming a strip-continuous spatial form. (3) Peripheral areas were classified into four types: suburban residential, industrial and logistics park, agricultural and ecological protection, emerging development, transitional mixed. In Guangzhou, the northeastern side of the primary core area was mostly agricultural/ecological, while the southwestern side was transitional mixed. Shenzhen’s peripheral areas are complex, primarily distributed in Huizhou City. [Conclusion] Core and peripheral areas’ spatial forms differ significantly. Strengthening core-periphery connections, optimizing peripheral area positioning and labor division, and implementing differentiated strategies are effective ways to promote coordinated development.

[Objective] Breaking down the barriers to the free and bidirectional flow of urban-rural development factors is an important prerequisite for promoting integrated urban-rural development, and enhancing the flow of urban-rural factors contributes to achieving coordinated and balanced development between urban and rural areas. [Methods] This paper explores the intrinsic mechanism of urban-rural integrated development from the perspective of factor flow, discusses the connotation of urban-rural integrated development from the multi-dimensional coupling relationship of “economy-society-ecology”, and analyzes the driving mechanism of urban-rural integrated development in Jiangxi Province based on the spatio-temporal geographical weighted regression of the flow of “population-land-capital” factors between urban and rural areas. [Results] (1) The overall urban-rural integrated development level in Jiangxi Province exhibited an upward trend from 2000 to 2020, transitioning from relying on urban-rural ecological space development to achieving balance in economy, society, and ecology. (2) The urban-rural integrated development level in Jiangxi Province displayed significant geographical differences, with the economic integration level in northern Jiangxi surpassing central Jiangxi and southern Jiangxi; the social integration level in northern Jiangxi exceeding southern Jiangxi and central Jiangxi; and the ecological integration level in southern Jiangxi surpassing central Jiangxi and northern Jiangxi. (3) The flow of population factor, land factor, and capital factor all exhibited significant positive effects on urban-rural integrated development in Jiangxi Province, with population factor flow having the greatest driving effect. (4) Urban-rural factor flow can continuously optimize the urban-rural relationship, generating diffusion effects and spatial spillover effects, fostering the ongoing reconstruction and integration of urban and rural spaces in Jiangxi Province. [Conclusion] There are historical contradictions and hidden lags in the flow of urban and rural factors driven by multiple factors, which can be promoted through the joint guidance of the government, market, grassroots, society and other forces to promote the free bidirectional flow of urban-rural development factors.

Offshore renewable energy boasts abundant potential and exhibits characteristics of synergistic development. However, it also faces challenges such as complex environmental conditions, low reliability, and spatial competition. Moreover, its interdisciplinary theoretical foundations have not yet been fully understood, and a systematic understanding of sustainable development pathways is lacking. From the perspective of energy geography, a research framework encompassing five dimensions—potential, technology, industry, space, and governance is developed. Through multidimensional integration and cross-domain analysis, the study systematically reviews the research progress in the development and utilization of offshore renewable energy, including potential assessment, technological development, industrial synergy, spatial evaluation, and impact governance. The review indicates that: (1) Offshore renewable energy is still in its early stage, characterized by “diverse energy types with great potential but technological imbalance, and abundant application scenarios but insufficient integration”. Specifically, offshore wind power technology is mature and dominates development. Energy industry development approaches are diverse with various integration scenarios, while single-mode development still prevails in the short term. Development and utilization offer significant environmental benefits, but may lead to risk transfer. (2) Scientific research, technological development, and industrial integration practices lag far behind the actual needs of offshore resources development and utilization. This is manifested in large discrepancies in assessment results due to different evaluation scales for energy potential, and inconsistent evaluation criteria within the same scale. Immature technological development and poor economic viability of industrial integration hinder efficient development and utilization of marine resources. Spatial assessments focus primarily on planar site selection and optimization, with limited research on three-dimensional marine utilization and the integration of energy and industrial production. The ecological impact mechanisms of development and utilization remain unclear. (3) To promote coordinated development across the five dimensions, offshore renewable energy development should focus on unifying potential assessment standards, enhancing techno-economic efficiency, promoting industrial integration, optimizing spatial utilization, and improving the governance framework. These efforts will support the efficient use of marine resources and the high-quality development of the marine economy. This review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and advancing offshore renewable energy development, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders.

[Objective] A systematic evaluation of the resilience of China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals to identify weaknesses and bottlenecks that impede resilience enhancement is crucial for ensuring the security of clean energy industry and supply chains and facilitating energy transition and technological innovation in China. [Methods] Integrating strategic priorities of industry and supply chain resilience and the unique characteristics of industry and supply chains of clean energy metals, this study established an evaluation indicator system with 12 indicators across four dimensions: control capacity, competitiveness, collaborative capacity, and geopolitical cooperation capacity. Using entropy weight method and TOPSIS-grey relational analysis, this study evaluated the resilience levels of China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals from 2018 to 2022, with copper, aluminum, lithium, and cobalt as examples. [Results] (1) The overall resilience level of China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals remained relatively low, showing a continuous downward trend before 2021 and an upward trend in the post-pandemic recovery period since 2021. Resilience levels varied significantly among different mineral types and supply chain segments. Emerging minerals outperformed bulk minerals, and processing/manufacturing and smelting demonstrated significantly higher resilience than upstream mining. (2) Bottlenecks and weaknesses hindering resilience enhancement of China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals were identified. Insufficient industry integration impeded rapid and efficient coordination with other segments. Failure to effectively control international market shares limited control capacity. R&D investments by related enterprises were declining, particularly in bulk mineral-dominated industries lacking new growth drivers, making the lack of R&D investment a more prominent barrier. The barrier caused by insufficient geopolitical cooperation capacity was increasing. Emerging minerals such as lithium and cobalt in upstream segments were more affected, while bulk minerals such as copper and aluminum in mid-to-downstream segments were more affected. [Conclusion] China's industry and supply chains of clean energy metals show low resilience levels due to insufficient integration across the whole industry chain, insufficient international market shares, weak investment momentum, and declining geopolitical cooperation capacity. To enhance the resilience of industry and supply chains of clean energy metals, China should promote integrated development of industry and supply chains, leverage its ultra-large domestic market to establish first-mover advantages in market control. Enterprises, particularly those in the mid-to-downstream segments, should be incentivized to increase R&D expenditures, while a combination of centralization and diversification strategies should be adopted to develop collaborative global supply chain networks.

[Objective] In the context of “dual carbon” strategic goals and the development of new-quality productivity, this study explores how digital transformation drives the development of green productivity in manufacturing enterprises, providing an micro-level theoretical basis for developing new-quality productivity through digitalization and greening in manufacturing industry. [Methods] Using data from A-share listed manufacturing enterprises in China from 2007 to 2021, the global super-efficiency slacks-based measure (GS-SBM) model was employed to establish and calculate carbon emission efficiency indicators, so as to measure the levels of enterprise green productivity. An empirical examination was conducted to examine the effect of digital transformation on green productivity and its mechanisms. Then an analysis was carried out on the structural heterogeneity of the driving effect of digitization and the backward spillover effects in the industry and supply chains. [Results] (1) Digital transformation significantly enhanced the carbon emission efficiency in manufacturing enterprises, effectively promoting the development of green productivity. (2) The empowerment of green productivity development through digitalization in manufacturing enterprises was primarily achieved through dual mechanisms: green technological innovation and total factor productivity improvement. (3) The empowering effect of digitalization exhibited structural heterogeneity. Compared to the consumer end, digital transformation at the production end had more significant influences on improving carbon emission efficiency. Across the sub-dimensions of digital transformation, a U-shaped relationship existed between digital transformation driven by modern information system and carbon emission efficiency. This improvement effect of carbon efficiency manifested only when enterprises entered the stage of productivity transformation with data as a factor of production. (4) The backward spillover effects of digital empowerment were observed, where the digital transformation of downstream manufacturing enterprises drove improvements in carbon emission efficiency for upstream enterprises. [Conclusion] Digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises can significantly enhance green productivity development. Therefore, manufacturing firms should prioritize the development of digital capacity across production and productive service scenarios. Meanwhile, digital coordination across the industry chain should be strengthened, and staged and incremental approaches to transform data into productivity should be promoted. Governments should actively cultivate digital transformation service providers, improve innovation efficiency support mechanisms, and build data-sharing platforms to facilitate a qualitative leap in the productivity of manufacturing enterprises.

The integration of culture and tourism is an important part of Chinese modernization, and new quality productive forces are the core power to stimulate the vitality of factors of production and promote the integration and innovation of culture and tourism industry. Under the background of rural revitalization strategy, the empowerment of integration of culture and tourism through new quality productive forces has become a significant practical demand and scientific issue to accelerate the construction of a strong tourism country and promote the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. Based on the multiple perspectives of regional economy, rural geography, tourism geography and digital economy, this paper discussed the theoretical logic, scientific problems, practical challenges, practical paths and future trends of the integration of culture and tourism enabled by new quality productive forces from the perspective of rural revitalization. The following are the summary of the key findings: (1) New quality productive forces are the strategic support to promote the deep integration of culture and tourism and the comprehensive rural revitalization. Meanwhile, this process faces theoretical dilemmas and practical challenges. (2) New quality productive forces are the driving force for reshaping the concept of cultural and tourism resources and empowering heritage protection and inheritance. (3) Digital village construction serves as an important support for new quality productive forces to empower the deep integration and development of culture and tourism. (4) Professional talent cultivation is the fundamental guarantee for new quality productive forces to empower the deep integration and development of culture and tourism. In the future, special attention should be paid to cultural and tourism professionals, digital technology experts, and residents. (5) Technological innovation and policy support are the key supports for new quality productive forces to empower the deep integration and development of cultural and tourism industries. This study not only deepens the theoretical interpretation of issues related to the deep integration of culture and tourism empowered by new quality productive forces, but also provides decision-making references for relevant policy makers to formulate industrial policies and development strategies.

The needs of national strategies, the dilemmas of urban-rural development and the shortcomings in disciplinary development put urgent requirement for the establishment of land system science. On the basis of clarifying the connotation and characteristics of land system science, this article analyzes the development history and constructs the theoretical and technological system, research paradigm and discourse system of land system science. As the interface between human society and the natural environmental system and the site of sustainable land use transitions, the land system is a complex mega-system characterized by spatio-temporal heterogeneity, sensitivity in scales, and the systematic feedback effects. Land system science is committed to a profound understanding of the human-environment interactions occurring on land, focusing on cross-temporal and spatial spillover effects and non-linear transformations of the land system, ultimately serving the formulation of sustainable land use solutions. The “human-land-right” trinity theoretical system of land system science involves four modules, including the domains of land resources, ownership, space and function, with land use as the key process and land ownership as the bond. The research paradigm of land system science has gradually transformed from knowledge and phenomenon description to the simulation and prediction of complex land systems, which emphasizes the integration of multidisciplinary theories and methods as well as understanding the local-distant coupled interactions of land systems based on the integrated multiscale analysis of expanding boundaries, and focuses on the construction of large-scale quantitative land system models to provide comprehensive and dynamic integrated analysis, prediction and simulation of its dynamic mechanisms, integrated effects and future scenarios and risks, and appeals for an opening scientific collaboration in the era of big data.

With advancements in low-altitude technology and reforms in the airspace management, human activity is expanding from the ground into the low altitude space. This can unlock new dimensions of value in low-altitude resources and accelerate the development of the low-altitude economy. As a representative example of new quality productive forces, the low-altitude economy has become a key component of the national strategy for high-quality development. In response to the new demands and tasks of efficiently utilizing low-altitude resources and ensuring the sustainable development of the low-altitude economy, it is essential to leverage geography’s unique disciplinary strengths in analyzing spatial heterogeneity, systemic interactions, and dynamic evolution patterns. By conducting systematic research on theory, policy, industry, and application, it provides crucial support for addressing challenges such as resource allocation, industrial layout, and spatial governance in the development of the low-altitude economy.

[Objective] The digital economy is a crucial tool for achieving the “dual carbon” goals. Land use is a significant source of carbon emissions. Therefore, investigating the impact of the digital economy on the carbon emission efficiency of land use and understanding its underlying mechanisms is an urgent research topic to fulfill the “dual carbon” commitments. [Methods] Based on the panel data of 282 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2006 to 2020, this study applied the undesirable super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model, two-way fixed effects model, and mediation effect model to reveal the impact of digital economic development on the carbon emission efficiency of land use and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. [Results] (1) During the study period, the digital economy has shown a significant positive impact on the carbon emission efficiency of land use, a conclusion that has been validated through a series of robustness tests. (2) The results of the mechanism analysis indicate that the digital economy can enhance the carbon emission efficiency of land use by improving energy efficiency, promoting industrial structure upgrades, and fostering technological innovation. (3) Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the aforementioned positive effects vary significantly depending on the city's geographical location, resource endowments, administrative level, and whether it is a low-carbon pilot city. [Conclusion] The development of the digital economy, through the integration of data elements and the empowerment of intelligent technologies, has significantly optimized the efficiency of land resource allocation, providing a technological pathway for enhancing the carbon emission efficiency of land use. Against the backdrop of the thriving digital economy, cities should fully leverage the advantages of digital technology to drive innovation and low-carbon transformation in land use, thereby promoting high-quality economic development.

[Objective] The low-altitude economy is a typical representative of new quality productive forces and has attracted widespread attention from academia and government departments at all levels. This study aims to review the policies related to the development of China’s low-altitude economy, identify their evolutionary process and regional differences, and provide references for understanding the institutional context of low-altitude economy development and improving relevant policy formulation. [Methods] Policy texts and standard documents related to the low-altitude economy issued before February 20, 2025 were retrieved from the official websites of government departments and relevant agencies at all levels. Spatial statistical analysis and word frequency analysis were employed to investigate the evolutionary stages, characteristic changes, and spatial differences in low-altitude economy policies. [Results] (1) China’s low-altitude economy policies experienced evolutionary stages of exploratory development, initial development, and accelerated development. The focus of policies shifted from emphasizing safety alone to balancing safety and development, and from isolated measures to coordinated planning. The policy content expanded from single elements such as low-altitude airspace, infrastructure, and vehicles to multi-element scenario applications. (2) The Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Chengdu-Chongqing region issued more low-altitude economy policies, while most provinces in western China had relatively fewer policies. (3) Policies across provinces focused on elements such as drones, but with different focuses. These could be summarized as the comprehensive development model represented by Guangdong, the innovation-driven model represented by Beijing, and the scenario-based application model represented by Fujian. These differences were closely related to local basic conditions, including the natural environment, economic foundation, industrial development, innovation resources, and distinctive local economies. [Conclusion] Government departments at different levels have introduced a series of policies to promote the development of the low-altitude economy. However, strategic planning needs to be strengthened, and development directions in some regions remain unclear. In the future, national-level coordinated planning should be enhanced to guide local governments in formulating low-altitude economy policies tailored to local conditions, ensuring the scientific implementation of the low-altitude economy as a national strategy.

[Objective] As an important application scenario of the low-altitude economy, drone delivery has been developing rapidly, placing higher demands on the integrated utilization of air and ground resources. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the organizational characteristics and key challenges of air-ground coordination based on practical cases, providing references for the coordination and shared use of airspace resources. [Methods] This study took Shenzhen as a case study, selecting two representative companies, S and M. Through continuous field surveys and in-depth interviews conducted from July 2024 to April 2025, it systematically analyzed their operational models, spatial layouts, and flight route planning. [Results] (1) The existing air-ground coordination operational models were shaped by business model requirements, forming two distinct models: an interconnected direct model anchored at network nodes, and an end-responsive model anchored at commercial districts. (2) The different operational models led to significant differences in air-ground coordination layouts: Company S established a multi-node, coordinated, and large-scale transport network by relying on self-operated distribution centers and delivery outlets, while Company M developed a dense, single-center service system focused on commercial districts. (3) Differences in spatial layout further influenced the interaction between flight routes and ground networks. Company S generally located its facilities in open areas such as logistics parks, resulting in higher flexibility in flight route planning. Company M operated at altitudes lower than densely built urban high-rise buildings, facing more complex spatial constraints. [Conclusion] Low-altitude delivery systems effectively leverage the flexibility and efficiency of drones, expanding service coverage and improving overall delivery efficiency through integration with ground transportation systems. In the future, it is essential to enhance the coordination and shared use of airspace resources, advance the deep integration of drone delivery with ground transportation infrastructure, and address coordination and connectivity challenges such as gaining access to communities and buildings.

[Objective] Conducting research on the impact of land use change on the spatiotemporal pattern of carbon budget and scenario simulation is of great significance for revealing the mutual feedback mechanism between land use and regional carbon processes, and exploring strategies for optimizing and controlling the territorial spatial pattern towards achieving the dual carbon goals. [Methods] Taking Henan Province as an example, this study analyzed the impact of land use change on carbon budget from 2005 to 2020, and simulated the spatiotemporal distribution of carbon budget under different scenarios in the future. [Results] (1) During the study period, the imbalance of carbon budget in Henan Province intensified and showed significant spatial heterogeneity. The carbon emissions first increased and then decreased, while the carbon absorption showed a slight fluctuation. The net carbon emissions showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, which spatially showed a trend of clustering towards the center of each city and gradually decreasing towards the periphery. (2) With rapid urbanization, land use in Henan Province has undergone drastic changes, and there is a significant correlation between land use and the spatial distribution of carbon budget. In the study period, the cultivated land area in the province decreased by 5.5%, while the construction land area increased by 41.7%. Due to the expansion of construction land and the increase in human energy consumption intensity, the total carbon emissions in Henan Province increased from 447 million tons to 532 million tons from 2005 to 2020, with an increase rate of 19%. (3) There are significant spatial and temporal differences in the carbon budget pattern of Henan Province under different scenarios in the future. Under the scenario of construction and development, carbon emissions are rapidly increasing, the net carbon emissions in 2060 are 646.7 million tons, and the imbalance of carbon budget is worsening. Under the scenario of farmland protection, carbon emissions show a significant downward trend, the net carbon emissions in 2060 are 28 million tons, and the imbalance of carbon budget is alleviated to some extent. Under the ecological protection scenario, carbon emissions are significantly reduced, and the ecological carbon sink capacity is enhanced. The net carbon emissions in 2060 are -1.8 million tons, indicating that the province can achieve its carbon neutrality goal by 2060 under the ecological protection scenario. [Conclusion] The rapid urbanization and land use changes in Henan Province have led to a significant increase in carbon emissions and agglomeration effects, exacerbating the imbalance of carbon budget. Ecological protection scenarios can help achieve carbon neutrality goals. Therefore, in the future, the territorial spatial pattern should be optimized and strictly controlled to strengthen ecological protection and governance, alleviate the risk of carbon imbalance driven by land use changes, and enhance the ability of territorial space to combat the impact of climate change.

With the continuous improvement of China’s highway network construction and the ongoing expansion of transportation infrastructure, traditional highway inspection methods can no longer meet the practical requirements of modern highway maintenance and management in terms of efficiency, safety, and coverage. Low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology, with its advantages of high mobility, low cost, and strong data acquisition capability, provides a novel technical solution for highway inspection. Therefore, this study first systematically reviews the current application status and development trends of low-altitude UAV remote sensing technology in highway inspection, and conducts an in-depth analysis of its application progress in four typical scenarios: intelligent detection of pavement distress, bridge distress identification and vibration monitoring, slope stability monitoring and risk early warning, and rapid emergency response and disaster assessment. Focusing on the “low-altitude flight—distress identification—real-time computing—3D visualization” technical pathway, this study primarily discusses key technical methods such as low-altitude inspection route planning, automatic pavement distress identification, edge computing for real-time processing, and 3D reconstruction with digital twin. Additionally, this study elaborates on the practical challenges faced by existing low-altitude remote sensing technology in highway inspection applications, including insufficient data stability and standardization, lack of multi-source data fusion and integrated application, mismatch between model accuracy and industry requirements, and issues related to policies, regulations, and safety management. Finally, from the three dimensions of deepening technical applications, breakthroughs in key technologies, and development of standardized regulations, this study proposes the key directions for the future development of low-altitude remote sensing technology in highway inspection, providing theoretical references and technical support for advancing highway maintenance and management toward intelligent, information-based, and refined models.

[Objective] This study examined the relationship between humans and water from the perspective of supply and demand, and revealed the complicated relationships between humans and water by exploring the supply-demand relationship of water resources, to provide a reference for the balance between supply and demand of water resources and the decision making for sustainable development in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. [Methods] Based on multi-source data and using bivariate spatial autocorrelation, supply-demand ratio, and optimal parameter geographic detector methods, this study explored the scale evolution characteristics and influencing factors of human-water relationship in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. [Results] (1) From 1990 to 2020, the human-water correlation index and the supply-demand ratio in the study region showed a downward trend, indicating that the human-water relationship tended to be tense, and the human-water relationship at the grid scale was superior to that at the county scale. (2) The spatial correlation patterns of humans and water at different scales were mainly Low-Low type, indicating that there was a strong transfer inertia among the spatial interaction types of human-water relationship. The surplus areas were concentrated in the plateau and mountainous areas in the middle reaches and the southeastern area of the lower reaches of the Yellow River, and the deficit areas were located in the wind-blown sand transition zone in northern Shaanxi Province, as well as the Weihe Plain, the Shanxi Basin, the Yellow River alluvial plain, and the northwestern plain of Shandong Province. (3) The multiscale evolution process of the human-water relationship is mainly the result of the interaction and coupling of climate change, human activities, landscape pattern, and topography. Human activity is always the most stable and active factor at multiple scales. The influence of climate change and landscape pattern on human-water relationship is different at different scales. [Conclusion] In view of the tense relationship between humans and water in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, it is urgent to develop a water-saving and efficient modern agricultural system, implement the development strategy of “determining production by water”, and effectively coordinate the conflicts between humans and water through landscape planning.

[Objective] The development level of the digital economy is an important manifestation of regional high-quality development. Exploring the development pattern of provincial digital economy is conducive to improving the core competitiveness of regional high-quality development. [Methods] Based on the impact of the new development concept on the high-quality development of the digital economy, this study constructed a comprehensive evaluation indicator system for the high-quality development of the digital economy at the provincial level, took Jiangsu Province as an example to reveal the spatial pattern of the high-quality development of the digital economy, and conducted spatial correlation analysis through the Moran’s I. The dynamic mechanism was explored by using Geodetector. [Results] (1) In terms of spatial differentiation characteristics, the innovative development, coordinated development, green development, open development, and shared development of the digital economy in Jiangsu Province showed the distribution characteristics of dual-core multi-points longitudinal two zones, dual-core multi-points latitudinal two zones, dual-core two belts and one zone, dual-core three circles, and dual-core two zones, respectively. Its comprehensive characteristics are reflected in the distribution of dual-core, multi-points, two belts, and three areas; (2) The spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that the spatial pattern of high-quality digital economy development in Jiangsu Province showed obvious agglomeration characteristics as a whole, especially in the three metropolitan regions of Jiangsu Province—the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou metropolitan region was the most significant, followed by the Nanjing metropolitan region, and the Xuzhou metropolitan region was relatively weak; (3) The driving mechanism was as follows: economic scale factor, social factor, and consumption factor had the strongest impact on the high-quality development of the digital economy in the province, followed by economic structure factor and location factor. Economic scale factor was obviously stronger than economic structure factor. Compared with the provincial capital Nanjing, Shanghai, the central city of the Yangtze River Delta region, had a more obvious impact on the high-quality development of the digital economy in Jiangsu Province. [Conclusion] The high-quality development of the digital economy in Jiangsu Province already has advantages, but the development pattern still needs to be optimized, and the driving mechanism is not efficient enough. In order to further improve the high-quality development level of the digital economy in the province, relevant development policies should be formulated according to the development characteristics and problems.

[Objective] In the context of China’s “dual-carbon” goals and the ecological civilization development, the management of non-hazardous industrial solid waste (NHIW) in China faces new opportunities and challenges. This study aims to systematically review China’s policy texts on NHIW management from 2001 to 2024 and identify their evolutionary stages and main characteristics, thereby providing references for improving policies on comprehensive industrial resource utilization and enhancing environmental governance efficiency. [Methods] A total of 303 policy documents on NHIW management issued by central government from 2001 to 2024 were selected as the research samples. Through quantitative text analysis methods such as word frequency analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis, combined with punctuated equilibrium theory, this study systematically investigated the evolutionary characteristics of policy objectives, number of policies, keywords, and issuing entities. [Results] (1) China’s policies on NHIW management from 2001 to 2024 could be divided into four stages: initial prevention-oriented and system-building efforts, steady advancement toward circular economy and ecological civilization, strengthened regulation and policy innovation, and a transition toward green, low-carbon, and high-quality development. (2) Across these stages, policy objectives were dynamically adjusted, governance tools were diversified, inter-entity collaboration was strengthened, and policy themes shifted from simple pollution control to comprehensive resource utilization and green development. [Conclusion] China’s policies on NHIW management have undergone a significant evolution from end-of-pipe pollution control to source prevention, and from fragmented management to systemic governance. Future efforts should focus on refined management, multi-department coordination, and innovation-driven strategies to better address resource and environmental pressures and carbon reduction demands, thus facilitating the realization of a Beautiful China and the sustainable development goals.

[Objective] Offshore renewable energy plays a crucial role in addressing global climate change. However, the limitations of the current single utilization mode in marine energy development have become apparent. As a major nation in offshore renewable energy, China needs to develop solutions for both domestic and global energy challenges. [Methods] Through a combination of literature review and case studies, this research systematically analyzes the bottlenecks and practical challenges in the development and utilization of offshore renewable energy. It summarizes integrated utilization modes and their respective advantages for offshore renewable energy. Based on the development requirements of marine new-quality productivity, it proposes trends and strategies for the integrated development and utilization of offshore renewable energy in China. [Results] (1) The current single mode for the development and utilization of offshore renewable energy fails to effectively contribute to climate goals through the ocean. (2) Key practical challenges in offshore renewable energy development include large sea area occupation, low space utilization, and insufficient industrial coordination. (3) The theoretical framework of marine new-quality productivity can better identify four major trends in the transformation of offshore renewable energy development and utilization modes: energy-energy coupling, energy-production coupling, chain coupling, and multiple coupling. These four integrated modes practically facilitate the further development of new-quality productivity. (4) Based on existing cases and data, it is roughly estimated that the integrated development and utilization modes of offshore renewable energy can achieve spatial compatibility and industrial complementarity, demonstrating strong comprehensive benefits and commercial prospects. [Conclusion] The development and utilization of offshore renewable energy in China has reached a critical transformation stage. The integration of offshore renewable energy with various marine production activities and the expansion of application scenarios should be prioritized. Qualified coastal areas should clarify the concept of integrated development and strengthen policy support and guidance. Taking energy and industrial synergy as breakthrough points, China will pioneer the establishment of globally influential new modes and industrial systems for offshore renewable energy development and utilization, providing strong support for building a thriving marine economy and a leading maritime nation.

The identification and management of production-living-ecological space (PLES) is the core essence of territorial spatial planning and governance in the new era, and a key initiative to achieve regional sustainable development. Currently, research in this field faces practical dilemmas such as the discrepancy between the attribute cognition of PLES and its theoretical construction, the disconnection between the abstract identification of PLES and the refinement of its implementation, and the mismatch between the rigid management of PLES and the dynamic land functions. Land system science can provide a beneficial perspective for conducting research on the detailed identification and dynamic management of PLES. Accordingly, this paper systematically reviews the ideological origin of land system science, elaborates the internal differences and operational structure of the land system, and clarifies the theoretical description and quantitative expression of the land system states. Based on ontological consistency, goal alignment, process relevance, and effect reciprocity, this paper summarizes, this paper summarizes the multi-dimensional interconnected relationship between land system science and the identification and management of PLES, attempts to construct a logical mechanism centered on the land system states between them, sequentially proposes the key solution paths for land system science to support the identification and management of PLES in terms of theoretical foundation, technical channels and practical vision. In the future, it is necessary to conduct typical case practices based on the existing theoretical system to expand the application boundaries of land system science and provide technical methods to solve the problem of PLES coordination in the whole domain.

[Objective] The development of high-quality offshore wind power is not only an important part of China's efforts to establish a new-type power system, but also a critical safeguard for building a strong maritime nation. Exploring feasible solutions to alleviate the supply-demand mismatch in offshore wind power can enhance its consumption capacity while achieving substantial economic benefits, thereby providing strategic insights for high-quality development of offshore wind power during capacity optimization stage. [Methods] This study integrated the strategies of reducing discharge frequency of short-term energy storage and participating in peak shaving for long-term energy storage. Under the target constraint of wind curtailment rate (R^CUR) not exceeding 5%, with the objectives of optimizing loss of load probability (LOLP) and net present value ratio(NPVR), technology-energy-economy optimization evaluation model was established to optimize the configuration of short-term and long-term energy storage. A year-long simulation of energy storage charging and discharging was conducted. The impacts of two short-term storage technologies, the lithium-ion battery（LI）with high charge-discharge efficiency and the flow battery (FB) with high charge-discharge cycle life, and one long-term energy storage technology, pumped hydro storage, on system energy utilization, energy supply reliability, and economic benefits were also evaluated. [Results] The proposed optimization method yielded more economically efficient configuration schemes. The net present value (NPV) increased by a maximum of 1.897 billion yuan, with annual additional peak shaving electricity sales revenue from long-term energy storage reaching 98 million yuan. Moreover, it effectively extended the service life of short-term energy storage by 1 to 2.6 times. The optimized configuration enhanced the utilization of wind curtailment by approximately 64%. Comparative analysis revealed that the limitations of charge-discharge cycles had a greater influence on the economic efficiency of short-term energy storage system than charge-discharge efficiency. [Conclusion] Energy storage capacity design requires integrated planning. Application methods and operational policies for energy storage should fully consider system performance and the application potential for residual storage capacity. The correlation between the high-quality development of offshore wind power and the enhanced performance of long-term energy storage systems should not be overlooked.

[Objective] Guangdong is a leading province in offshore wind power development in China. By the end of 2024, its installed nearshore wind capacity ranked first nationwide, with a long-term near-shore development plan exceeding 30 GW. However, challenges such as insufficient power transmission capacity, grid stability issues caused by large-scale integration, and the ongoing reform of market-based pricing for renewable energy have posed significant obstacles to the future consumption of nearshore wind power. Hence, this study designs an integrated land-sea energy system based on electricity-hydrogen coupling, and verifies its performance through simulation. [Methods] By analyzing the actual operational data from three offshore wind farms in Guangdong Province, we identified three typical power output curves (low, medium, high) corresponding to different stages of renewable energy development through cluster analysis. An optimization model was established to simulate the integrated land-sea system, defining three dimensions to describe the system's nearshore wind power consumption efficacy: the electro-hydrogen conversion index, wind power effective utilization rate, the share of total system cost attributed to renewable energy. [Results] (1) The low, medium, and high output scenarios mainly occur in summer, spring, and winter respectively, indicating a significant correlation between nearshore wind power output and climate in the region; (2) Under different scenarios, the constructed electric power-hydrogen coupling system can essentially achieve complete absorption of nearshore wind power. Under the high-output and low-demand scenario, the total system cost is approximately 71.7% of that under the low-output and high-demand scenario; (3) The consumption efficacies of the coupled system vary with different offshore wind power penetration rates and hydrogen system capacity configurations. When both the power-to-hydrogen configuration capacity and hydrogen storage tank capacity increase, the power-to-hydrogen conversion ratio and overall system efficacy significantly improve. [Conclusion] The electricity-hydrogen coupling system can effectively improve the consumption of nearshore wind power, and increasing the configured capacity of the hydrogen energy system contributes to enhancing the overall system effectiveness.

[Objective] Exploring the driving factors and improvement paths of agricultural ecological efficiency (AEE) in the main grain producing areas of China is the foundation for guiding different regions to adapt to local conditions and promoting high-quality agricultural development. [Methods] This study constructed a super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model with non-expected outputs to calculate the AEE of the main grain producing areas from 2005 to 2020, and used trend analysis methods to explore its spatial differences and trends of dynamic changes. It then used Geodetector to explore the driving factors of the spatiotemporal changes of AEE, and ways to improve AEE. [Results] (1) The AEE values in the main grain producing areas showed a fluctuating upward trend, while the areas with medium and high efficiency values shifted from north to south. Overall, the three major river basins showed a trend of Yangtze River Basin > Yellow River Basin > Songhua River Basin; The center of gravity of AEE of the main grain producing areas was mainly concentrated in Shandong Province, with a migration trajectory from north to south. (2) From the perspective of endogenous factors, agricultural machinery input was the inherent dominant factor in the differences in AEE in the main grain producing areas, and the interactive combination of agricultural natural resource input and machinery input was the key driving factor; From the perspective of exogenous factors, economic factors had the strongest driving effect on AEE in the main grain producing areas, and the interaction of external factors enhanced the explanatory power to the spatiotemporal changes of AEE. (3) Based on the driving factors, we identified three paths for improving AEE: endogenous driving, dual driving, and resource integration. [Conclusion] The overall development of AEE in the main grain producing areas of China was improving, but regional differences still exist. In order to achieve sustainable agricultural development, it is necessary to strengthen the popularization and application of agricultural mechanization and intelligence, optimize the allocation of agricultural natural resources, and develop characteristic agriculture according to local conditions.

[Objective] With the rapid development of the digital economy, rural areas are experiencing new growth opportunities, particularly in providing more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for rural women. Therefore, it is significant to explore the impact of the digital economy on women's empowerment in rural tourism destinations. [Methods] In this study, a six-dimensional analysis framework for promoting women's empowerment through the digital economy was constructed. Yudong Village in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province was selected as a case study site. Qualitative research methods, such as participatory observation and semi-structured interviews, were applied to explore the empowerment paths of rural women in the economic, political, social, psychological, educational, and technological dimensions promoted by the digital economy. [Results] The results are as follows: (1) Based on residents' perceptions, this study analyzed the influence of the digital economy on women's empowerment in six dimensions. Economic and technological empowerment were considered the core dimensions, followed by social and educational dimensions, while the impact on political empowerment was not significant. (2) Personal factors such as women's age and education level, external factors such as the way and degree of participation in the tourism industry, family support atmosphere, and community development environment all have a significant impact on the level of women's empowerment. (3) The digital economy significantly affected women's empowerment through various forms such as the rural brain and social media. The level of empowerment was affected by individual women and external environmental factors, and presented a gradual characteristic. [Conclusion] To further enhance the level of women's empowerment and promote the sustainable development of ruraltourism, the government should leverage the digital technology advantages of enterprises and improve rural women's digital participation capabilities, while promoting the construction of digital village.

[Objective] The coupling level between land use transition and rural transformation development shows obvious gradient differentiation characteristics at different stages of socio-economic development or in different regions, and clarifying the coupling relationship between the two systems creates conditions for promoting sustainable rural revitalization. [Methods] This paper took the county-level administrative regions in Jiangsu Province as an example from 2000 to 2020, analyzed the theoretical framework of the coupling relationship between land use transition and rural transformation development, and applied the coupling coordination and VAR model to explore their spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and interaction mechanism. [Results] (1) During the study period (2000-2020), the land use transition and rural transformation development development in counties of Jiangsu Province presented a pattern of evolving from low-speed heterogeneity to high-speed homogeneity, characterized by the macroscopic features of leading in some local areas and an orderly gradient improvement. (2) The coupling relationship of land use transition and rural transformation development in Jiangsu Province had undergone two stages: Transition from the province’s imbalance to partial low coupling, then from low coupling to high coupling. Overall, it showed a continuously improving trend year by year. In terms of spatial pattern, it presented a gradient differentiation pattern of “high in the south and low in the north”. (3) The coupling relationship between the land use transition and rural transformation development was complex. Rural trasformation development was the cause and driving force of for land use transition, while land use transition provided material basis and spatial support for rural transformation development. There was a strong mutual promotion relationship between the them. Rural transformation development was not only affected by itself but also impacted by the land use transition, and showed strong self-promotional characteristics, while land use transition exerted certain coercive effects on rural transformation development. [Conclusion] The coupling relationship between land use transition and rural transformation development determines the internal dynamics of regional rural transformation, and regulating this relationship provides an effective path for optimizing the rural spatial governance system and promoting sustainable rural development.

[Objective] Understanding the spatial organization forms of metropolitan regions is fundamental for promoting their development and formulating spatial planning strategies. This study aimed to shed light on the spatial organization forms of metropolitan regions and explore the underlay mechanism by focusing on intercity functional linkages of human element flows. [Methods] Based on the “space of flow” represented by intercity functional linkages of human element flows, a theoretical framework of analysis was developed to analyze the spatial organization forms of metropolitan regions and mechanism. Using the Shanghai Metropolitan Region as a case study, this study employed spatiotemporal big data and traffic isochrons to identify the spatial and temporal characteristics associated with the destinations of intercity functional linkages driven by human element flows. [Results] (1) Metropolitan regions are functional regions shaped by the intercity functional linkages. These linkages dominate the spatial organization of metropolitan regions. (2) The intercity functional linkages of human element flows are spatially associated with the unique urban functions of core cities, while its temporal constraints require support from intercity rapid transportation systems. (3) Under the dominance of intercity functional linkages, the spatial organization of metropolitan regions manifests as “circles + chains”, resulting from the spatial-temporal compression and pipeline effects of the rapid transportation system, as well as the spatiotemporal characteristics of intercity functional linkages. [Conclusion] The “circles + chains” spatial organization form emerged from the reshaping of metropolitan region spatial organization by the “space of flow” represented by intercity functional linkages. Therefore, the spatial planning strategies of the metropolitan region should construct a system of the “space of flow” for supporting intercity functional linkages.

[Objective] Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) represent a key development direction in global strategic emerging technologies and one of the highly competitive high-tech products in China. Revealing the global UAV trade network and its influencing factors can provide decision-making support for optimizing the global trade pattern and helping China avoid potential trade risks. [Methods] Complex network analysis, exponential random graph model, and network vulnerability simulation model were employed to reveal the topological characteristics of the global UAV trade network from 2022 to 2024, analyze the influencing factors of the network, and simulate the network vulnerability under different impact scenarios. [Results] (1) From 2022 to 2024, global UAV trade volume increased from 4.232 billion USD to 12.665 billion USD, an increase of 1.99 times. Changes in trade volume were linked to the global geopolitical situation and trade control policies. (2) Overall, both the number of participating economies and trade connections in the global UAV trade network increased, with a significant small-world phenomenon. At present, western economies such as Ukraine and the United States have played an increasingly prominent role as importers, while the mainland of China and Hong Kong of China gradually dominated the export pattern. Malaysia’s influence on trade networks rapidly expanded. The network evolved from a single-core structure to a dual-core structure, forming a super cluster centered on the mainland of China and Hong Kong of China, covering 75% of the global economies and nearly 80% of the trade volume. (3) Reciprocal relationships served as a critical endogenous structure driving the expansion of the network. Economies with high openness, favorable institutional environment, advanced technological levels, and strong economic strength shaped the core structure of the network through their significant advantages in both imports and exports. The influence of geographical distance and geopolitical relationships on the establishment of trade connections was limited. (4) Under the influence of the transmission-based trade network motif structure, the influence of the withdrawal of different types of economies on network efficiency followed the order: intermediary type > comprehensive type > export-oriented type > import-oriented type. The influence of export restrictions by export-oriented type economies on network efficiency was greater than that of import restrictions by import-oriented type economies. [Conclusion] From 2022 to 2024, the global UAV trade scale has doubled, and changes in the network structure are linked to the international situation. China has a scale advantage and concentrated risks in the global UAV trade market.

[Objective] In the context of increasing conflicts between humans and Asian elephants, this study aims to elucidate the characteristics and driving mechanisms of land use transition in conflict areas and explore the mutual feedback relationship between land use transition and human-elephant conflicts. [Methods] This study focuses on the human-elephant conflict areas in Pu’er City and Xishuangbanna Prefecture in Yunnan Province as the study areas, based on four periods of remote sensing images in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, as well as two periods of household questionnaire survey data in 2020 and 2022, utilizing spatial analysis and input-output analysis methods to reveal the characteristics and driving mechanisms of land use transition in human-elephant conflict zones. [Results] (1) Land use transition in regions inhabited by Asian elephants is significant, with forest areas experiencing a decrease followed by a slow recovery, accompanied by a decrease in orchard area. In the core conflict areas, a multi-crop structure dominated by rubber has formed (accounting for 69.8% of the planting area). (2) Land use in the core conflict zone exhibits relatively extensive patterns, with land transfer rates and input-output efficiency demonstrating significantly lower values compared to those observed in peripheral regions. (3) Land use transition is influenced by multiple factors, including Asian elephant activities, economic development, and agricultural policy adjustments. The frequent crop destructions of by Asian elephants is the most direct factor for land use transformation in the study area. [Conclusion] With the intensification of human activities and the increase in the population of Asian elephants, onflicts will become more severe in the future. The “human-elephant” conflict and land use transformation are closely interrelated and mutually reinforcing, and land use transformation may alleviate the conflict between humans and elephants. Relevant departments should guide Asian elephants to return to their habitats, optimize regional production and ecological space, reduce human-elephant conflicts, and promote the sustainable development of local social, economic, and ecological.

[Objective] With the intensification of climate change, countries worldwide have committed to achieving carbon neutrality to meet the temperature control targets set by the Paris Agreement. The circular economy, as a sustainable development model, is playing an increasingly prominent role in climate change mitigation. However, studies focusing on the coupling of climate change mitigation and circular economy have not yet been systematically summarized. [Methods] Based on the literature indexed in the Web of Science database, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis to summarize the research progress, current status, and hotspots in the coupling of climate change mitigation and the circular economy from 1991 to 2024, thereby providing theoretical support and practical guidance for their integration. [Results] (1) Research on the coupling of climate change mitigation and the circular economy began in 1991 and has gone through three stages: initial exploration, steady development, and rapid growth, with research content expanding from solid waste management and recycling to more industries. (2) Globally, a total of 9520 papers have been published on the coupling of climate change mitigation and circular economy, with Chinese scholars contributing the most. Chinese research institutions serve as pivotal hubs in the international collaboration network, highlighting China’s research strength and international influence in this field. (3) The research on the coupling of climate change mitigation and circular economy focuses on four key areas: climate change, circular economy, waste management, and life cycle assessment. Future research trends are expected to focus on carbon neutrality and zero-carbon goals, renewable energy scenarios, digital and intelligent technologies, and multi-method integration. [Conclusion] In the future, it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation, promote interdisciplinary exchange, and advance technological innovation, while leveraging opportunities presented by digital and intelligent development to further promote synergistic development between climate change mitigation and the circular economy.

As human activities extend from surface space into the three-dimensional low-altitude space, the value of low-altitude airspace resources has been activated, thereby promoting the development of the low-altitude economy. Due to the complex interactions among low-altitude airspace, the surface, and human activities, it is imperative to leverage the disciplinary advantages of geography to investigate the low-altitude human-environment system, providing guidance for the sustainable development of the human-environment system and the scientific implementation of the low-altitude economy. Through conceptual analysis, literature review, and theoretical interpretation, this study clarified the conceptual connotation and geographical characteristics of the low-altitude economy, analyzed the elemental structure and theoretical framework of the low-altitude human-environment system, and proposed key research topics for future focus. The low-altitude airspace evolved from a simple atmospheric concept into a resource element with natural, social, and economic attributes. The complex low-altitude—surface—human activity system formed by the interaction between low-altitude human activities and low-altitude geographical environments emerged as a new subject of human-environment system research. This study constructed the concept of the low-altitude human-environment system, which was composed of low-altitude resources, low-altitude geographical environments, low-altitude human activities, and their interactions. Among them, low-altitude resources were centered on the development and utilization of low-altitude airspace and included various tangible and intangible resources formed through the interaction between the surface and human activities. Their capacity measurement served as the foundation for the development of the low-altitude economy. The low-altitude geographical environment exhibited regional, complex, dynamic, and comprehensive characteristics due to factors such as boundary-layer meteorology, underlying surface conditions, topography, surface structures, ecological environments, and human activities. Low-altitude human activities referred to a series of actions undertaken by humans for survival, development, and improvement of living standards, centered around low-altitude resources, which generated economic, social, and environmental effects. The interactions between humans and environment were critical in driving the dynamic evolution and coupled coordination of the low-altitude human-environment system.

[Objective] Comprehensive land consolidation, as a systematic project for territorial spatial adjustment and optimization, is being widely used to alleviate rural issues and promote sustainable development of villages. The village, being the fundamental unit of rural planning and development, serves as an ideal scale to provide scientific basis for the practice of optimizing and adjusting rural territorial space. [Methods] Based on the theoretical analysis of the relationship between comprehensive land consolidation and village revitalization, this study takes Dongheng Village in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province as an example to carry out an empirical study, aiming to reveal the mechanism by which comprehensive land consolidation influences the revitalization of rural villages. [Results] (1) Under the combined influence of internal and external factors, the comprehensive land consolidation project, based on the policy system and engineering technology, drives the restructuring of rural spaces and the layout adjustment of development factors by promoting the synergistic development of different subsystems, thus contributing to village revitalization. (2) Under the joint effect of internal and external factors such as policy support, industrial foundation, resource endowment, and cooperation among rural elites, the comprehensive land consolidation project in Dongheng Village has been carried out smoothly. (3) By using comprehensive land consolidation as a platform, Dongheng Village promoted talent development, land efficiency, and industrial transformation by constructing a multi-dimensional subsystem linkage mechanism centered on governance innovation, which led to eco-friendly, intensification and high-value development of the production, living and ecological spaces, and ultimately achieved village transformation and revitalization. [Conclusion] Regions with conditions should fully utilize the role of rural elites both within and outside the administrative system and carry out comprehensive land consolidation programs tailored to local conditions, and, on this basis, promote these programs as platforms for connecting regional policies, land engineering, infrastructure construction, industrial development, and villagers’ employment. This approach can enhance their demonstrative effect and further advance rural revitalization from village level to regional level.