Evolution of County Socio–Ecological Systems in Nature Reserves in Western China Over the Past 30 Years

Abstract

The evolution process of socio–ecological systems from 1990 to 2020 in the Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, located in the National Key Ecological Function Area of western China, was analyzed quantitatively based on resilience theory and methodology combined with catastrophe theory and adaptive cycle theory, through field investigation, questionnaires and interviews, social data collection and remote sensing data analysis. The results show that the coordinated development of socio–ecological systems has made great progress in recent decades in the study area, and the coordinated development of social systems and ecosystems has a high degree of coupling and a strong connection. Changes in ecosystem resilience regularly surpassed changes in the social system, indicating the significant impact and success of ecological protection policies and projects in recent decades. In future, improvements in the social sub-system will be the key to developing the socio–ecological system in the study area. Enhancing social sub-system resiliency, implementing transformational development and green industry development, and transforming and realizing ecological product values are important topics for further investigation in the study area. Substantial changes in policy, production, population and climate change are needed to promote the evolution of socio–ecological systems. Stable national policies are crucial for improving people's livelihoods and providing ecological protections.