Multidimensional Measurement and Enhancement Strategies of the Provincial Ecological Niche in the Yellow River Basin

Abstract

Provincial economic development in the VUCA era (V: volatility; U: uncertainty; C: complexity; A: ambiguity) is facing great challenges. Comprehensively measuring the provincial ecological niche and giving enhancement strategies are significant for the implementation of the Yellow River Strategy. By constructing the S–R–F (Status–Relationship–Function) provincial ecological niche measurement framework using the SEM model (the structural equation modeling), this paper calculated the provincial ecological niche of the Yellow River Basin from 2005 to 2019 using an ecological niche width model, an ecological niche overlap model and an ecological niche suitability model and gave improvement strategies through spatial positioning. Results: (1) The ecological niche breadth in the Yellow River Basin is uneven, showing a spatial pattern of “low in the upper reaches, high in the lower reaches”. The ecological niche overlap changes from synchronous competition to hierarchical differentiation. The ecological niche suitability shows a transformation of “overall homogeneity but local variation”. (2) Qinghai and Gansu belong to subspace I of ecological niches; the strategies of ecological niche specialization, potential ecological niche and ecological niche synergy are appropriate. Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Ningxia belong to subspace III; the strategies of ecological niche specialization, ecological niche separation, potential ecological niche and ecological niche synergy are suitable. Shandong belongs to subspace VI; the strategies of ecological niche generalization and ecological niche synergy are fitting. Henan, Sichuan and Shaanxi belong to subspace VIII; it is advisable to choose ecological niche generalization, ecological niche separation and ecological niche synergy strategies. The possible marginal contributions of this paper are: (1) applying the idea of fitting optimization to guide the construction of a provincial ecological status indicator system, applying the validation analysis in the SEM model to test the suitability and validity of a provincial ecological status indicator system and improving the scientificity and objectivity of the indicator system construction. (2) Correlating the measurement model with the connotation (state–relationship–function) of the provincial ecological niche, the perspective of ecological niche research and improving the theoretical support for the construction of a multidimensional measurement model. (3) Spatial positioning of provincial ecological niches to improve the relevance and effectiveness of strategies.