Natural Endowments Research Articles

The Impact of High Standard Farmland Construction Projects on Soil Slope Stability

The spatial stability of high standard farmland construction refers to the constancy of the quantity structure and spatial layout of farmland under the influence of natural, social, economic and other comprehensive factors during a certain period of time. The stability of the spatial layout of farmland is a prerequisite for the sustainable use of high standard farmland. However, during the construction process, there is an unscientific selection of high standard farmland. Some of the already built high standard farmland is occupied and ecologically damaged before the comprehensive benefit life of the project, resulting in poor spatial stability of farmland. This goes against the concept of high standard farmland construction and causes waste of construction capital. Therefore, in the current context of sustained and rapid socio-economic development, the construction of high standard farmland not only needs to consider the natural endowments of farmland, but also the stability of its external spatial layout will be the focus of research.

Evolution of the Spatial Patterns of Global Egg Trading Networks in the 21 Century

Global agriculture and food system is faced with increasing uncertainty from natural disasters, epidemics, financial crises, and wars. Agricultural trade can provide a powerful supplement to global food security. Eggs have been recognized as the most important protein source for many years as they contain the highest quality protein naturally available while the price is competitive. Egg trading plays an important role in enhancing the resilience of the global food system under uncertainty. We empirically investigate the evolution of global egg trading networks by social network analysis. And, the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) is applied to detect factors that impact global egg trading networks. The results show that in the 21st century, global egg trading networks are becoming more complex and the clusters are undergoing dynamic differentiation and integration. Additionally, compared to cultural difference among countries, factors including geographical distances, natural endowments, economic developments, trade policies, and political stability have a more significant effect on the evolution of egg trading networks. Our work provides suggestions for participating countries to develop more resilient egg trading networks to resist external shocks.

Analysing the Impact of Climate Change on Human Rights Through the Legislative Framework

The natural environment gives human creatures and the communities in which we live with the assets we have to be accomplish lives of nobility and well-being – clean air to breathe; clean water to drink; nourishment to eat; powers for vitality; security from storms, surges, fires and dry spell; climate control and illness control; and places to assemble for tasteful, recreational and otherworldly delight. These natural endowments often referred to as environment services that are at once essential for the core survival and imperative to human prospering. Every nation on the globe is paying the price of climate change but the most suffering category is the poorest countries who will suffer more in future from the enduring climate change. It is one of the most challenging strand in today’s era that humankind is facing and have affected not only economic, social aspects of life but has some major human rights repercussions. As there is a direct link between environment and human rights and Effects of climate change leads to large scale human rights violation. In order to overcome the aftermath of climate change each and every country in the world including governmental agencies and private actors should respond to these impacts in the best possible manner.

The moral benefits of coercion: A defense of ideal statism

This paper contributes to recent discussions on ideal anarchism vs. ideal statism. I argue, contra ideal anarchists, that coercive state institutions would be justified even in a society populated by morally perfect individuals. My defense of ideal statism is novel in that it highlights the moral benefits of state coercion. Rather than the practical effects on individual compliance or the distributive outcomes that follow therefrom, coercive state institutions are justified through the moral benefits they provide. The state is morally beneficial because it a) lessens the demands on the will that fall on agents under ideal anarchism, and b) counters the structural domination that follows from differences in natural endowments. By shifting the focus of the debate from feasibility to desirability, the paper exposes the flaws of ideal anarchism and provides new insights into the moral value of the state.

The Road of Post-Industrialization Transformation in Developing Countries Based on Weighted Markov and Grey Correlation Theory, Taking the Change of Industrial Structure in Heilongjiang Province of China as a Case Study

In the context of economic globalization, the comparative advantages of developing countries and developed countries tend to be more complex. After the economic crisis in 2008, the challenges of developing countries are intensified, and the game is more cyclical; Especially in the critical period when the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” is pending, many countries have increased their efforts in policy formulation and efficiency improvement, focusing on industrial transformation and upgrading, and closely combining structural reform with the industrialization process. Therefore, it is particularly important to analyze, change and forecast the industrial structure of post-industrial regions in developing countries based on data science algorithms, and to reshape the understanding of the adjustment of the world economic order and the evolution of the international trade division system. Based on the proportion of gross regional product and output value of three industries in Heilongjiang Province of China from 2001 to 2020, the minimum deviation model of industrial structure in Heilongjiang Province is constructed through Markov theory. The Lingo software is used to obtain the transition probability matrix of the industrial structure state, and combined with the autocorrelation coefficient of each order and the transfer weight, the change trend of the proportion of the output value of the three industries and the change of the contribution rate of the three industries (to GDP) in Heilongjiang Province in the next 10 years are obtained; At the same time, through the grey correlation index and spss software, this paper analyzes the correlation changes between the three industrial adjustments and economic development in Heilongjiang Province in the past 20 years, discusses the new growth points of economic development in Heilongjiang Province and puts forward corresponding suggestions for the adjustment of different industrial structures in Heilongjiang Province, and finally extends the general rules of the development of post-industrialization in the world. This article believes that it is necessary to adjust the structure of the first, second, and third industries reasonably based on different historical and natural endowments, contemporary backgrounds, and other practical factors, in accordance with local conditions, circumstances, and each with its own emphasis. At the same time, it also requires the support and inclination of government policies; Adapting industrial structure to local economic development while actively leading productivity and local economic development.

‘In the Ambush of my Name’: The ‘Parable of the Talents’ in Measure for Measure

In the ‘Parable of the Talents’ (Matt. 25.14–30) a wealthy estate owner, intending to travel, delegates the management of his estate to three servants and gives them sums of money to manage. Matthew summarizes the idea of the parable with an analogy: ‘the kingdom of heaven is as a man that, going into a strange country, called his servants and delivered unto them his goods’ (25.14).1 The long reach of this parable on the modern imagination is shown through the history of the word ‘talent’—literally and originally an ancient sum of money, which ‘passed into English usage in the Middle Ages as a synonym for abilities and/or natural endowments’,2 a meaning which lives on even though the word has now shed its numismatic origins. In Matthew, the master gives five talents to one servant, two to another, and one to the third. When he returns, he tests the virtue and husbandry of his servants by inquiring about the status of each ‘investment’.3 We might summarize the parable, then, as one involving a powerful man who first delegates his earthly authority to subordinates and then later returns to impose an economic test on them. He punishes the servant who buried his ‘talent’ in the ground but rewards the two others who invested and increased his money.

What Do We Know about Multidimensional Poverty in China: Its Dynamics, Causes, and Implications for Sustainability

Poverty is a primary obstacle to achieving sustainable development. Therefore, exploring the spatiotemporal dynamics and causes of poverty is of great significance to the sustainable poverty reduction of the “post poverty alleviation era” in China. This paper used the multisource big data of 2022 counties in China from 2000 to 2015 to establish a comprehensive evaluation framework to explore the multidimensional poverty situation in China. The results showed the following findings: There is an obvious spatiotemporal heterogeneity of multidimensional poverty, showing a typical stair-like gradient from high in the west to low in the east, with the poverty level in state-designated poverty counties higher and intensifying over time. The spatial differentiation of multidimensional poverty is contributed to by multiple factors, in which the geographical condition has a stronger impact on state-designated poverty counties, while natural endowment and human resources have a stronger effect on non-state-designated poverty counties. These things considered, the regional poverty causes were relatively stable before 2015, but the poverty spatial agglomeration of some regions in the Northwest, Northeast, and Yangtze River Economic Belt has undergone significant changes after 2015. These findings can help policymakers better target plans to eliminate various types of poverty in different regions.

Multi-objective optimization methodology for green-gray coupled runoff control infrastructure adapting spatial heterogeneity of natural endowment and urban development

Cost-effective runoff control scheme drafting involves localization, multi-sector coordination, and configuration of multifunctional infrastructures. Numerous independent variables, parameters, weights, and objectives make runoff control optimization quantitatively arduous. This study innovatively proposed a multi-objective optimization methodology for green-gray coupled runoff control infrastructure adapting spatial heterogeneity of natural endowment and urban development. The quantitative methods of multi-objective evaluation, hydrological feature partition, and pressure-adapted multi-objective weight assignment were proposed. Remote sensing inversion of water quality, hydrological model simulation (using SWAT and SWMM software), landscape pattern index calculation, life cycle cost (LCC), life cycle assessment (LCA) on ecological impact, and NSGA-II optimization algorithm were applied. Wuhan, the most water-sensitive city in China, was studied as a case. Runoff control function (RCF), capital investment (CI), and ecological return on investment (EROI) served as optimized objectives. High, medium, and low built-up regions in Wuhan urban development planning district were extracted by topographic factors and landscape patterns, which comprised 28, 34, and 38% of the case area, respectively. Three corresponding hydrological models were then built to illustrate distinct runoff control cost-efficiency in each region. Pressure distributions on runoff control, economic constraints, and ecological resource scarcity were quantitatively evaluated. And four pressure zones were clustered, which occupied 36, 29, 16, and 19% of the case area, respectively. Then the zonal weighted optimization decision-making matrix (with 3 hydrological models and 5 wt) was established by overlaying the pressure zone and built-up zone. In high, medium, and low built-up regions, optimized solutions reduced annual runoff volume by 86, 82%, and 77%The average runoff investments per square meter of impervious underlying surface in high, medium, and low built-up regions were 34.2, 18.7, and 7.9 RMB yuan, respectively. Medium and low built-up regions may only need 55 and 23% of the high built-up region for the unitary impervious underlying surface to balance runoff control and ecological benefits. Runoff control and financial utilization efficiency enhance with hydrological differentiation zones. Thus, the optimization solutions are zonal adaptive, refined, comparable, replicable, and implementable.

Model experiment research on HPTL anchoring technology for coal-rock composite roof in deep roadway

Since the western region of China, which is typical of extraordinary resource endowments, has gradually emerged as the major mining zone in China, the mining of thick coal seams and roadways with coal-rock composite roof have become more and more common in this region. However, it is extremely difficult to realize safe and effective maintenance and control of such roadways due to the differences in natural endowments of coal-rock masses. With the roadway with coal-rock composite roof of Hulusu Coal Mine in western China as the engineering background, experiment research on large-scale similarity model was conducted through comprehensive measures such as the pneumatic loading system, the surrounding rock stress monitoring system, the roadway deformation monitoring system, the bolt load monitoring system, and the displacement field monitoring system in this paper. According to the results of the experiment, the control effects of the three support systems on the roadway with coal-rock composite roof were significantly different. When the single support of short anchor bolts was applied, the comparatively low initial anchor-hold failed to constrain the initial micro deformation of the roof. Consequently, wide-range fractures of the roof were triggered at a loading pressure of 0.8 MPa. In the meanwhile, the deep surrounding rocks witnessed a downward inflection point in stress, accompanied by the possibility of the collapse of the thin-layer anchorage zone at any time. As for the support combining both short anchor bolts and long anchor cables, though a reinforced effect on the bolt anchorage zone could be achieved with the help of the cables, the active reinforcement capacity of the bolt was limited. The bolt anchorage zone was the first to be damaged at a loading pressure of 0.9 MPa, which would subsequently affect the effective bearing capacity of the deep surrounding rocks. In the application of the single support of high-strength long anchor bolts, the long bolts with high pre-tightening force were able to lock multiple groups of coal-rock strata to form a thick-layer anchorage bearing structure capable of withstanding a load as high as 1.0 MPa. The crash and collapse of the coal wall eventually caused the subsidence of the roof. Based on the intense dynamic load experiment and the feedbacks of engineering application outcomes in the field, it was concluded that the high-pretension thick-layer (HPTL) anchoring technology can effectively constrain the deformation of roadways with coal-rock composite roof with favorable application outcomes.

Discuss the Countermeasures and Measures of Developing Yunnan Garden in Southwest China - Take the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, for Example

Located in the Himalayan south extension of Yunnan garden has its specificity, because the element is very rich, tiancheng natural endowment objectively has "cast" the vivid "Chinese ink painting", "step for the scene, turned into", in the carved, in "painting" in "Yunnan garden", perfecting the connotation and extension creation process, is an economic phenomenon, also belongs to the cultural category, is the crystallization of collective wisdom in Yunnan, is constructing "Yunnan garden" system. It has been nearly 10 years since the end of 1990s. Over the past 10 years, relying on its own resource endowment, making use of the market and combining with the growing needs of Yunnan people for a "better life", Yunnan has created a unique "Yunnan School Garden". The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) will be held in Kunming, China on October 11-24,2021, aiming to "formulate the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework". The conference is in line with the concept of "clear waters and green mountains are gold and silver mountains" under construction in China. Dian-style gardens practice biodiversity. On the occasion of the meeting, on the basis of analyzing the resource endowment of Yunnan province, this paper traces the growth process of "Yunnan School Garden" and puts forward the countermeasures and measures for development, which has far-reaching practical significance.

Orienting of metal-organic framework nanosheets into continuous membranes for fast hydrogen permeation

The extremely thin, porous and crystalline nature endow metal-organic framework nanosheets (MOFNs) to be emerging materials for membrane assembly. However, their reliable manufacturing, especially for the continuous growth in controllable direction, remains a great challenge. Herein, we firstly orient a MOFN (NTU-83, a layered framework) either into vertical or horizontal alignments via one-step bottom-up synthesis on the surface-functionalized α-Al2O3 supports, on which the amide groups promote vertical assembly via the formed COOH⋯NH2 hydrogen bond, while exposed oxygen sites facilitate horizontal growth by Cu⋯O/OH interaction. The H2 permeance of the vertical aligned MOFN membrane (termed VAM) is 2100 ± 7 GPU at 100 °C, and it sharply increases to 8000 ± 40 GPU in horizontal aligned membrane (termed HAM), together with high-steady operation and nearly same H2/CO2 selectivity (varied in range of 6–7). This anti-trade-off performance should be attributed to the relatively short (500 nm) diffusion pathway and nanosized pore (5.4 × 8.2 Å2) of the horizontal-stacked layers when compare with the slightly bent and long (12 μm) interlayer channel (5.1 Å) that connected by eutectic junction points in VAM. Additionally, the universality of this surface functionalization for directional MOF growth was confirmed by producing another set of horizontal and vertical MOFN membranes with 3D structure. Given the rich building blocks of MOFs and various planting groups on the supports, the presented surface functionalization strategy can be extended to the directional assembly of other MOFNs on different supports into highly-efficient membranes.

Advances in Molecular Design and Photophysical Engineering of Perylene Bisimide-Containing Polyads and Multichromophores for Film-Based Fluorescent Sensors.

Film-based fluorescent sensors (FFSs) represent an important chemistry technology for meeting the urgent needs of on-site and real-time analysis, thereby enabling significant applications in environmental and health monitoring. As the core of FFSs, innovative design of sensing fluorophores and their intrinsic excited-state-related response nature endow FFSs with superior sensing performances in an endless expansion. In this Perspective, we specifically focus on perylene bisimide (PBI)-containing polyads and multichromophores with rigid configuration and notable photochemical stability for developing high-performance FFSs. These nonplanar structures mitigate aggregation and create abundant gaps for the sake of mass transfer and availability of the sensing units in the adlayer of the sensing films. We also comprehensively discuss how to adjust electronic coupling governing the excited-state events by appropriate functionalization strategies, thus providing a plethora of valuable insights for the exploration of the structure-property relationships in these orchestrated molecular systems. Throughout this Perspective, we also identify opportunities for FFSs in the future developments.

Assessment of the importance of climate, land, and soil on the global supply for agricultural products and global food security: Evidence from Madagascar

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 63.00% of the global food-insecure people (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above) and endowed with more than 50.00% of uncultivated land. The production environment in the region is subject to numerous constraints imposed by climate, physical infrastructure, and human activities. This study highlights the importance of countries’ natural endowment and crop-specific requirements, namely soil and climate characteristics, on agricultural trade and food security. To analyze the global supply of crops, we based our research on the comparative advantage theory with the factor endowment approach. We found that the climate in the tropical region lowered the soil quality and the agricultural productivity in the region. Compared to most developing Asian countries, least developed countries from Africa, including Madagascar, struggle with soil management which lowers their comparative advantage in the agricultural sector. We also found that the crops’ requirements give a comparative advantage to well-endowed countries. This research exposed that the climate and soil combined, along with the geography variables are important for the international trade pattern. It also brings light to the importance of international trade in the achievement of global food security. Our findings suggested that foreign direct investment (FDI) can be used to boost the global agricultural sector and improve global food security. For Madagascar in particular, we found that FDI could help the country sustain the global supply of spices, specifically vanilla, cloves, and cocoa.

Autonomous collaborative combat strategy of unmanned system group in continuous dynamic environment based on PD-MADDPG

In this study, we studied the Unmanned System Group (USG) Autonomous Collaborative Combat Strategy (ACCS) and the Parallel Decoupling-Multi-agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (PD-MADDPG) algorithm was proposed. This was conducted on the background of USG confrontation game problem between ourselves and the enemy in the continuous dynamic environment of future aerial combat. An independent Parallel Benchmark Critic (PB-Critic) network and Parallel Decoupling Critic (PD-Critic) network for each member of USG was developed to maximize the whole reward and member reward of USG under time parallelism. By integrating Forerunner Mechanism (FM) into the parallel decoupling reward function, the reward sparse problem confronted by parallel decoupling reward function at the beginning of the algorithmic training was controlled as well as the convergence efficiency of USG in the continuous dynamic environment of future aerial combat. Introduction of Symmetric Attention Mechanism (SAM) to the Critic-network and Actor-network shortened the screening radius of helpful information related to the confrontation game of USG of both sides of ourselves and enemy in the continuous dynamic environment. Assuming the multiple typical confrontation game control strategies of USG of the enemy in the continuous dynamic environment, the effectiveness and feasibility of the strategies were simulated and verified. The PD-MADDPG improved the multiple inadequate natural endowments of Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (MADDPG) which showed that the policy training convergence and execution stability were greatly enhanced, and USG’s behavioral autonomy for collaborative combat in the continuous dynamic environment was further improved.

Thermo-economic evaluation and optimization of solar-driven power-to-chemical systems with thermal, electricity, and chemical storage

This paper evaluates the thermo-economics of power-to-chemicals using solar energy, with the chemicals being methane, methanol, and gasoline. In addition to the optimal technology sizing and heat cascade utilization, this paper also considers the optimal molten-salt solar power tower (MSPT) design, as the MSPT significantly affects the levelized product cost. A bi-level optimization is proposed, employing mixed-integer linear programming at the lower level with heat and mass integration for optimizing sizes and operating strategies of technologies, and with heat cascade utilization and a genetic algorithm at the upper level for optimizing the MSPT design. In the upper level, the full-load storage hours, design direct normal irradiance, solar multiple, and sizes of the MSPT are optimized. The electricity sources considered are the MSPT, photovoltaic (PV) with daily electricity storage, and the electrical grid as a complementary technology to satisfy the targeted daily product demand. Cost-competitiveness of solar-driven chemical synthesis is thoroughly assessed via considering sensitivity analysis on 1) regional solar resource endowments and actual local demands; 2) electricity sources, that is, PV vs. MSPT; and 3) the scale effect represented by different chemicals’ yield. The results show that the levelized methane cost ranges from 4.5 to 8.5 €/kg, depending on the location, plant size, and annual power contribution of concentrated solar power. Due to the larger mass production, the levelized cost of methanol and gasoline is lower: 1.5–2.2 €/kg for methanol and 4–6 €/kg for gasoline. The findings highlight the significance of location choice, that is, natural endowment of solar radiation and carbon sources. Using the syngas co-electrolysis pathway and direct solar radiation 100 kWh/m2 higher, the methane production cost is decreased by 2.4 €/kg. Sensitivity analysis performed on plant scale reveals that a compact, small-scale system is far too expensive. The levelized cost of methane could be decreased by 1.2 €/kg when the plant is scaled up from 4,000 to 20,000 kg/day H2. Due to its expensive electricity storage and limited working hours, PV is typically not chosen as a power source. Overall, solar fuels are unlikely to be cost-competitive in the near future when compared to market prices for all three compounds under consideration.

Based on the Development Countermeasures of Yunnan Garden in the Southwest Frontier of Honghe Prefecture

Located in the Himalayan south extension of Yunnan garden has its specificity, because the element is very rich, tiancheng natural endowment objectively has "cast" the vivid "Chinese ink painting", "move for the scene, turned into", in the carved, in "painting" in "Yunnan garden", perfecting the connotation and extension creation process, is an economic phenomenon, also belongs to the cultural category, is the crystallization of Yunnan collective wisdom, is constructing "Yunnan garden" system. Since the 1990s, relying on its own resource endowment, making use of the market and combining with the growing needs of Yunnan people for a "better life", Yunnan has created a unique "Yunnan School Garden". The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) was held in Kunming, China on October 11-24, 2021. The conference is in line with the concept of "clear waters and green mountains are mountains of gold and silver" under construction in China. Dian-style gardens practice biodiversity. On the basis of analyzing the resource endowment of Yunnan, this paper traces the growth process of "Yunnan Garden" and puts forward the countermeasures and measures for development.

The sacred and climate change: Local perceptions from KaNyaka island in Mozambique

Small islands are highly dependent on their natural endowments. Because of this dependency, they are more vulnerable to climate change. This paper builds on the assumption that a better understanding of the meaning of climate change in specific local contexts (from localized perspectives) opens up possibilities for climate change adaptations. Based on literature reviews, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and forum theatre performances, the paper provides various perceptions of climate change effects from KaNyaka Island in Mozambique. It endeavors to further build the case for the integration of everyday-life experiences and observations of environmental processes in developing collective responses to climate change. The study does so by looking at the way island inhabitants, who are particularly vulnerable to climate change, perceive this phenomenon. The paper argues that the KaNyaka residents are part of local ecologies in which physical and spiritual worlds are entangled in everyday life. It also avers that for a better understanding and response to the adverse effects of climate change on the island, scientists at large must approach local communities as co-producers of knowledge. This relational approach allows the incorporation of worldviews that have been key in sustaining enfolding relationships between people and local ecology. It concludes that this approach opens the possibility of adaptation to climate change as an embedded socio-environmental phenomenon.

Marx's View of Science and Technology in Das Kapital and its Practical Enlightenment

Das Kapital is a sign of the maturity of Marx's view of science and technology. In Das Kapital, Marx elaborated his view of science and technology from multiple dimensions. Based on the text interpretation of Das Kapital, this paper uses the method of literature research, the combination of theory and practice, and the unification of history and logic to investigate the scientific and technological view of Das Kapital. From the perspective of social production, science and technology are productive forces. From the perspective of human development, the innovation and development of science and technology and "real man" constitute an organic whole. From the perspective of natural ecology, the innovation and development of science and technology form a two-way interaction with natural ecology. Marx’s view of science and technology in Das Kapital provides practical enlightenment for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation: focusing on the main economic battlefield, enhancing the international competitiveness; Putting the people at the center to improve their well-being; Based on natural endowments to achieve sustainable development.

Threat to the Sustainable Production of Natural Resins: A Case of Rangeeni Strain of Kerria lacca (Kerr) in Eastern Plateau & Hills Region of South East Asia

The study conducted to examine the trends, growth and instability in the production of an insect-based natural resin in India. Study is designed with sampling and Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) based primary data as well as secondary data. District-level time-series data of Jharkhand state for 50 years from 1970-71 to 2019-20 was used. Time series analysis revealed the variation in lac production levels in different levels of geo coordinates. Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) was worked out by fitting the exponential function. The instability indices worked out by using the method suggested by Cuddy and Dell. The growth in lac production and export of lac-based value-added products has decelerated in the post-liberalization period, while yield growth has accelerated. The overall decline in the production level of rangeeni crop ranged from -5.54% in Western Plateau Sub Zone V to -6.98% in South Eastern Plateau Sub Zone VI. Utilization of the existing natural endowment of Butea monosperma in major rangeeni lac-producing districts in Western Plateau Sub Zone V could be a promising strategy to minimize the variation in the production of rangeeni crop. A paradigm shifts from rangeeni lac cultivation during previous decades coupled with climate change issues may be another possible reason for the regional disparity in the level of rangeeni lac production.
 The overall scenario in Jharkhand state depicts the alarming situation for katki crop (Rainy season rangeeni crop) having the highest instability index (49.69), particularly with significant negative growth rates from 2000 to 2020. The magnitude of decline for katki crop was found highest and most significant during the 2001-2010 period. Although, the production of rangeeni strain was affected adversely in Jharkhand (-21.60%) during the Ninth Five Year Plan coupled with shifting from rangeeni to kusmi lac cultivation due to boosting through capacity building and skill development programs which influenced the awareness and knowledge level of the stakeholders. However, COVID-19 could break the momentum, and functionaries including the institutions and facilitators shifted to manage the disrupted supply chains during 2019-20 and 2020-21. Post COVID-19 scenario, emerged with new ICT-enabled interventions with greater scope for extension and awareness programs. However, there is a huge technological gap in the existing lac industry with poor automation and dependency on local labor. Policy interventions including market initiatives like Minimum Support Prices (MSP), Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs); and Institutional initiatives like FPOs, SHGs, JLGs, etc. may play a key role in strengthening the sector. New host plants like Flemingia semialata may be promoted to reduce instability indices in the long run.

The Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Coordination Degree Concerning China’s Cultivated Land Green Utilization Efficiency and High-Quality Agricultural Development

The cultivated land green utilization efficiency (CLGUE) is closely related to high-quality agricultural development (HAD), but the evolutionary characteristics of the relationship between HAD and CLGUE have received little study. In the context of the rural revitalization strategy and high-quality development in China, it is important to ensure food security and cultivated land system security through coordinating HAD and CLGUE. In this study, 31 Chinese provinces were used as the research object, and the entropy weight TOPSIS model and SBM-Undesirable model were used to measure HAD and CLGUE, respectively. In addition, the coupling coordination degree model and the geographical analysis model were used to investigate the development of coordination degree concerning HAD and CLGUE from both geographical and temporal perspectives. The following findings are the result of this study. Firstly, both China’s overall HAD and CLGUE exhibited an upward tendency, with average annual growth rates of 4.35% and 4.08%, respectively. Secondly, there was a volatility upward trend shown by the level of coordination degree regarding HAD and CLGUE in China. Additionally, the coordination degree showed significant spatial-temporal disparities across the 31 provinces due to the variance in the natural endowment of agricultural development resources. Lastly, the coordination degree concerning HAD and CLGUE throughout China showed obvious patterns of spatial agglomeration at the provincial level. However, the geographical aggregation and dispersion of the provinces with high or low coordination levels have diminished somewhat. Furthermore, there was a conversion from hot spot aggregation regions in MGPAs to cold spot aggregation regions in GPMBAs. The conclusions of the present study enrich the theoretical literature on the relationship between HAD and CLGUE, and provide an empirical reference for the policy maker of the developing pathway of “high HAD and high CLGUE”.