River Delta Of China Research Articles

Spatial transmission of resilience loss in deltaic dynamic systems

River and tidal dynamics regulate delta water levels, underpinning their ecological and socio-economic stability. Deltaic water level resilience, the capacity to recover from disturbances, is vital amid growing climate and human pressures, necessitating a robust method to quantify and monitor it. Here we define water level resilience as the rate of water level recovery post-hydrodynamic disturbances. We quantify resilience trends using autocorrelation and propose a high-dimensional resilience transmission method based on a vine Copula model to estimate the spatial propagation of resilience loss across subsystems. Applying this framework to the Pearl River Delta in China reveals spatial heterogeneity and inter-subsystem transmission of resilience loss driven by anthropogenic activities. Our approach can be extended to other major deltas, despite differing hydrodynamic and human impacts. The findings underscore the need for tailored management strategies addressing specific drivers and subsystem interactions, offering critical insights into the global delta preservation amid escalating environmental challenges.

Research on the coupling and coordination of urbanization and flood disasters based on an improved coupling coordination model: A case study from the pearl river delta in China

Research on the coupling and coordination of urbanization and flood disasters based on an improved coupling coordination model: A case study from the pearl river delta in China

Sustainable Coastal Evolution and Critical Sediment Load Estimation in the Yellow River Delta

The coastline of the Yellow River Delta in China has experienced significant dynamic changes due to both natural and human activities. Investigating its coastal dynamics and understanding the equilibrium with riverine runoff and sediment discharge is crucial for ecological balance and sustainable development in the region. In this study, a coastline extraction algorithm was developed by integrating water index and dynamic frequency thresholds based on the Google Earth Engine platform. Long-term optical remote sensing datasets from Landsat (1988–2016) and Sentinel-2 (2017–2023) were utilized. The End Point Rate (EPR) and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) methods were employed to quantify coastline changes, and the relationship between coastal evolution and runoff–sediment dynamics was investigated. The results revealed the following: (1) The coastline of the Yellow River Delta exhibits pronounced spatiotemporal variability. From 1988 to 2023, the Diaokou estuary recorded the lowest EPR and LRR values (−206.05 m/a and −248.33 m/a, respectively), whereas the Beicha estuary recorded the highest values (317.54 m/a and 374.14 m/a, respectively). (2) The cumulative land area change displayed a fluctuating pattern, characterized by a general trend of increase–decrease–increase, indicating a gradual progression toward dynamic equilibrium. The Diaokou estuary has been predominantly erosional, while the Qingshuigou estuary experienced deposition prior to 1996, followed by subsequent erosion. In contrast, the land area of the Beicha estuary has continued to increase since 1997. (3) Deltaic progradation has been primarily governed by runoff–sediment dynamics. Coastline advancement has occurred along active river channels as a result of sediment deposition, whereas former river mouths have retreated landward due to insufficient fluvial sediment input. In the Beicha estuary, increased land area has exhibited a strong positive correlation with annual sedimentary influx. The critical sediment discharge required to maintain equilibrium has been estimated at 79 million t/a for the Beicha estuary and 107 million t/a for the entire deltaic region. These findings provide a scientific foundation for sustainable sediment management, coastal restoration, and integrated land–water planning. This study supports sustainable coastal management, informs policymaking, and enhances ecosystem resilience.

Simulation study of non-traveling pedestrian traffic in high-speed railway station areas: A case study of the Yangtze River Delta

Simulation study of non-traveling pedestrian traffic in high-speed railway station areas: A case study of the Yangtze River Delta

The polycentricity of urban population will lead to improvements in urban heat island effect: Evidence from the Yangtze river delta in China

The polycentricity of urban population will lead to improvements in urban heat island effect: Evidence from the Yangtze river delta in China

How does ICT agglomeration promote green technology innovation? Evidence from Yangtze River Delta in China

How does ICT agglomeration promote green technology innovation? Evidence from Yangtze River Delta in China

Metagenomic analysis reveals the composition and sources of antibiotic resistance genes in coastal water ecosystems of the Yellow Sea and Yangtze River Delta.

Metagenomic analysis reveals the composition and sources of antibiotic resistance genes in coastal water ecosystems of the Yellow Sea and Yangtze River Delta.

Effect of soil salinity on cotton cultivation and the potential for introducing Amaranthaceae halophytes in the Yellow River Delta, China

ABSTRACT Cotton is a main cash crop in the Yellow River Delta in China. Although cotton is known for its high salt tolerance, cotton yield is severely affected by excessive salt accumulation in soil. A large amount of the Yellow River water is introduced annually to leach surface salts; however, it has limited effects likely due to poor soil physical quality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of soil salinity on cotton growth and the usability of Amaranthaceae halophytes as alternative crops. Cotton and Amaranthaceae plants, including Suaeda salsa, Kochia scoparia, swiss chard, table beets and spinach, were planted in a large field in the Yellow River Delta that had spatial differentiation of soil electrical conductivity (EC). Our analysis on soil revealed that Na+ was the major cause of high EC; however, soil alkalization was not observed in highly salinized areas. Cotton biomass showed a strong negative correlation with field EC. Although all tested Amaranthaceae plants also decreased biomass in high EC areas, this effect was clearly less pronounced in S. salsa. Levels of major (K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) or minor (Fe2+, Mn2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+) essential elements were not significantly decreased by the increase of field EC in any plant species, except for K+ in S. salsa, suggesting that ion imbalance may not be the primary factor contributing to growth reduction. All Amaranthaceae halophytes absorbed more Na+ but less Ca2+ than cotton, thus planting Amaranthaceae plants may be a better option to prevent the further progression of sail salinization.

How does Artificial Intelligence Affect Carbon Emission Efficiency? Empirical Evidence from the Pearl River Delta in China

How does Artificial Intelligence Affect Carbon Emission Efficiency? Empirical Evidence from the Pearl River Delta in China

Coupling Coordination Analysis and Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity Between Green Space Quality and Economic Development: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta in China

The role of green spaces in ecological civilization construction has been increasingly recognized, particularly due to their multifaceted attributes and significant impact on economic development. Based on data from 2015 to 2020, this study constructs an evaluation index system to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of green space quality and its coupling coordination with economic development in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), focusing on three core dimensions: green space quantity, supply potential, and accessibility. The results indicate that green space quality in the YRD exhibits a fluctuating growth trend, with notable north–south disparities. While the coupling coordination degree between green space quality and economic development has gradually improved, it remains in a state of mild imbalance or primary coupling. Grey relational analysis reveals that green space quantity has the greatest impact on economic development, though its expansion potential is limited, whereas the influence of supply potential and accessibility has significantly increased, fostering a growing equilibrium within the green space system. Based on these findings, this study recommends stabilizing green space quantity while prioritizing the enhancement of supply potential and accessibility, strengthening cross-regional ecological cooperation, maximizing the economic benefits of green spaces, and promoting high-quality green development in the region.

Spartina alterniflora invasion significantly alters the assembly and structure of soil bacterial communities in the Yellow River Delta.

Soil microbial communities are integral to almost all terrestrial biogeochemical cycles, which are essential to coastal wetland functioning. However, how soil bacterial community assembly, composition, and structure respond to native and non-native plant invasions in coastal wetlands remains unclear. In this study of the coastal wetlands of the Yellow River Delta in China, the assembly, community composition, and diversity of soil bacterial communities associated with four wetland plant species (Phragmites australis, Spartina alterniflora, Suaeda salsa, and Tamarix chinensis) and four soil depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-30 cm, and 30-40 cm) were characterized using high-throughput sequencing. Plant species identity, as well as environmental factors, rather than soil depth, was found to play predominant roles in shaping the diversity and structure of wetland soil bacterial communities. S. alterniflora invasion altered bacterial community structure and increased bacterial diversity. Phragmites australis-associated bacterial communities were enriched with sulfate-reducing bacteria such as Desulfurivibrio and Desulfuromonas. In comparison, S. alterniflora-associated bacterial communities were enriched with both sulfate-reducing bacteria (SEEP-SRB1) and sulfate-oxidizing bacteria (Sulfurimonas), which maintained a dynamic balance in the local sulfur-cycle, and thereby enhanced S. alterniflora growth. In addition, stochastic processes dominated the assembly of soil bacterial communities associated with all four plant species, but were most important for the S. alterniflora community. The S. alterniflora-associated bacterial community also showed stronger interactions and more extensive connections among bacterial taxa; a co-occurrence network for this community had the greatest average clustering coefficient, average degree, modularity, and number of links and nodes, but the lowest average path length. Altogether, individual plant species had distinct effects on soil bacterial community assembly and structure, with the invasive species having the strongest impact. These results provide insights into microbial ecology and inform management strategies for coastal wetland restoration.

Impact of public environmental concern on green technology innovation: a case study of the Yangtze River Delta in China

This study explores the impacts of PEC on green technology innovation (GTI), which includes both independent green technology innovation (IGTI) and cooperative green technology innovation (CGTI). It also analyzes the threshold effects of green finance (GF) and information and communication technology (ICT) to unlock the growth potential of GTI. To achieve this, we employ a two-way fixed-effects model and a threshold-effects model, utilizing city panel data from the Yangtze River Delta region of China, covering the years 2011–2020. The results indicate that PEC has a positive effect on GTI, IGTI, and CGTI. However, its impact on CGTI is relatively weaker. These findings remain valid after several robustness tests. Heterogeneity analysis shows that PEC promotes IGTI in research organizations, yet it fails to do so in firms. PEC enhances CGTI within cities, but not between them. Additionally, PEC positively affects GTI only when GF and ICT surpass certain thresholds. The threshold effect of GF is limited to IGTI, whereas ICT’s threshold effect is more stringent in CGTI. Based on these conclusions, we provide insights on leveraging public concerns to promote the growth of green innovation and how governments can create a favorable external environment for this.

Spatial Prediction of Soil Water Content by Bayesian Optimization–Deep Forest Model with Landscape Index and Soil Texture Data

The accurate prediction of the spatial variability for soil water content (SWC) in farmland is essential for water resource management and sustainable agricultural development. However, natural factors introduce uncertainty and result in poor alignment when predicting farmland SWC, leading to low accuracy. To address this, this study introduced a novel indicator: landscape indices. These indices include the largest patch index (LPI), edge density (ED), aggregation index (AI), patch cohesion index (COH), contagion index (CON), landscape division index (DIV), percentage of like adjacencies (PLA), Shannon evenness index (SHEI), and Shannon diversity index (SHDI). A Bayesian optimization–deep forest (BO–DF) model was developed to leverage these indices for predicting the spatial variability of SWC. Statistical analysis revealed that landscape indices exhibited skewed distributions and weak linear correlations with SWC (r < 0.2). Despite this, incorporating landscape index variables into the BO–DF model significantly improved prediction accuracy, with R2 increasing by 35.85%. This model demonstrated a robust nonlinear fitting capability for the spatial variability of SWC. Spatial mapping of SWC using the BO–DF model indicated that high-value areas were predominantly located in the eastern and southern regions of the Yellow River Delta in China. Furthermore, the SHapley additive explanation (SHAP) analysis highlighted that landscape indices were key drivers in predicting SWC. These findings underscore the potential of landscape indices as valuable variables for spatial SWC prediction, supporting regional strategies for sustainable agricultural development.

Port Service Coordination Sustainability in the Yangtze River Delta in China Based on Spatial Effects

With the prevalence of international trade protectionism and transformation and the upgrading of the domestic market structure, the contradiction between the demand for and the competitive development of the port market in the Yangtze River Delta in China has become increasingly prominent. The 19 major ports of the Yangtze River Delta in China were selected for this study, and using the methods of index evaluation, gravitational model, and spatial interpolation, the spatial effects in the hinterland were calculated from three dimensions, central potential, spatial gravity and distribution convenience, and the regional coordination of port services. The results show that the potential of the Shanghai Port and Ningbo Zhoushan Port in China is stronger, and the difference in the distribution of the ports is quite clear. The spatial gravity of each port city can be superimposed over one another to form a clear dense semi-circular zone, and the ability of the marginal ports to participate in this zone is weak. The convenience of their distribution in the hinterland changes from being location-dependent to traffic-dependent. The service gap in the hinterland of the port system is more significant, but the expansion of spatial effects makes the sustainability of regional coordination gradually improve. Finally, several policy suggestions are proposed to ensure ecological responsibility among resource-oriented enterprises.

Preliminary study on the depositional model in the wave-dominated delta evolution during the Anthropocene: a case study of the Hanjiang River Delta in China

Preliminary study on the depositional model in the wave-dominated delta evolution during the Anthropocene: a case study of the Hanjiang River Delta in China

Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Green Total Factor Productivity: New Evidence from Yangtze River Delta in China

China has entered a period of high-quality development. As an important feature of high-quality development, green total factor productivity (GTFP) has attracted much attention. With the opening-up and economic globalization, the Yangtze River Delta, one of the strongest and most technological regions in China, has been attracting an increasing amount of foreign direct investment (FDI). This study investigates if FDI is conducive to GTFP under the constraints of specific resources and a specific environment, which has important practical significance for the utilization of FDI in the Yangtze River Delta and China. Through a literature review and sorting the current FDI in the Yangtze River Delta, the GTFP and its decomposition indicators of 27 cities from 2004 to 2019 are calculated based on their energy consumption and pollution. Using the fixed-effects model and threshold model of panel data, this study tests whether FDI promotes GTFP and whether a nonlinear impact of FDI on GTFP exists. It finds that (1) the GTFP of most cities in the Yangtze River Delta improved during the sample period, but their annual growth declined. Technology is the dominant factor affecting the growth of GTFP. (2) FDI in the Yangtze River Delta has increased, and the investment structure has improved, but the distribution among cities is uneven. (3) The scale and quality of FDI have a positive impact on GTFP, which supports the “Pollution Halo” hypothesis. Economics, education, networks, and trade openness can promote the growth of GTFP, while environmental regulation, government intervention, and industrialization have a negative impact. (4) The quality of FDI, economics, the industrial structure, the environmental regulation, and the internet are each a significant single threshold characteristic for the impact of FDI on GTFP. When one of these factors is lower than a certain threshold, FDI has less impact on GTFP. When one exceeds a certain threshold, FDI’s positive promotion effect on GTFP significantly improves. Based on the analysis, this study offers some suggestions. The government should improve the FDI selection mechanism based on realities, make appropriate environmental regulatory policies, strengthen the construction of networks, and improve the “Internet+” effect on productivity.

Interdependence and coordination challenges: EV charging infrastructure and carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Delta

The ambition towards net-zero emission fuels the significance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) as a strategic asset. Yet, a conspicuous gap remains in the comprehensive quantitative analysis of its impact on carbon emissions stemming from fossil fuel combustion, referred to as ODIAC-CE. This study embarks on a longitudinal comparison of EVCI and ODIAC-CE data in 2018 and 2020, further classifying cities by scale to analyze the association between expansion of EVCI and ODIAC-CE change. Utilizing a battery of analytical tools, including correlation analysis, spatial autocorrelation, and coupling coordination analysis, the study dissects the evolving relationship between EVCI and ODIAC-CE within Yangtze River Delta in China. The results underscore a growing interdependence between EVCI expansion and ODIAC-CE change, yet pronounced heterogeneities in coupling coordination are evident across urban scales. Megacity and supercity exhibit quality coordination between rapid expansion of EVCI and ODIAC-CE dynamics. However, in most large, medium-sized, and small cities, the impact of EVCI growth on ODIAC-CE change has proven to be inconsistent or mismatched, affected by various factors such as location and infrastructure, industrial and technological patterns, and social practice and awareness. The study provides systematic insights into potential solutions for decarbonization through EVCI deployment at regional and city levels.

A Study on the Cultural Product Design Elements in the Ecotourism Region of the Yellow River Delta in China

In the context of economic and trade globalization, the status of cultural products is continually elevated. The Eco-tourism Region of the Yellow River Delta, as the estuary of the Yellow River, carries the cultural history of the Yellow River basin in China. However, research on the design elements of cultural products in this area needs to be improved, and there is also a need for empirical user research. The purpose of this study is to investigate the design elements of cultural products in the Eco-tourism Region of the Yellow River Delta, summarize the design elements that suit the cultural products of this area, and propose design directions for optimizing the region's cultural products. The method of this study first involves theoretical and design elements research through a literature review. Then, on-site user surveys are conducted, and design requirements for cultural products in the Ecotourism Region of the Yellow River Delta are derived from user questionnaires. Cluster analysis by relevant experts follows this to identify the design elements of the cultural products. Lastly, experiments are conducted on the derived design elements to redefine their characteristics. The study ultimately identifies design elements that suit the cultural products of the Eco-tourism Region of the Yellow River Delta. The results of this thesis identify and redefine 15 design elements that suit the cultural products of the Eco-tourism Region of the Yellow River Delta. The directions for optimization are divided into three categories: product performance, culture, and innovation. This provides a reasonable direction for optimizing the cultural products of the Eco-tourism Region of the Yellow River Delta and offers a reference for the optimization of cultural products in other tourist regions.

Pattern of total organic carbon in sediments within the mangrove ecosystem

The sedimentary total organic carbon (TOC) in mangrove ecosystems plays an essential role in the global carbon storage. Nevertheless, little information is available about the pattern of TOC in sediments varying from bare and flat to those beneath mangroves. To find out the roles of new-developing mangroves in sedimentary TOC accumulation, a serials of sediment samples were collected from the creek mudflat zone (CMZ) through the fringe mangrove zone (FMZ) to the interior mangrove zone (IMZ) in young mangrove system of Nanliu River Delta in China. Sediment compositions, TOC, total nitrogen (TN), molar C/N ratios, and carbon stable isotopes (δ13C) were analyzed to examine the accumulation processes. The results revealed the distinct differences in the sedimentary TOC values, with an obvious increasing trend from the CMZ and FMZ to the IMZ. We quantified that terrestrials, marine-derived and mangrove-derived sources contributed 39.2-74.1%, 24.7-63.1% and 0.9-6.9%, respectively, to the sedimentary TOC in the mangrove ecosystems. The organic carbon accumulation rates ranged from 2.59 to 269.60 g•m-2•a-1, with values of 8.77 ± 19.87, 24.78 ± 12.53, 167.19 ± 57.79 g•m-2•a-1 for CMZ, FMZ and IMZ. Our work highlights information showing that young mangrove forests of the tropical delta have important potential for carbon storage.

Examining the Impact of Urban Connectivity on Urban Innovation Efficiency: An Empirical Study of Yangtze River Delta in China

Innovation serves as a vital catalyst for sustainable urban development, with the enhancement of urban innovation efficiency representing a critical strategy to bolster cities’ innovative capacity. Rigorous scientific measurement of urban innovation efficiency and thorough investigation into the key factors influencing it are imperative for advancing urban innovation capacity. Despite this significance, prior research has largely overlooked the impact of urban connections on urban innovation efficiency. Therefore, this paper undertakes the task of measuring the innovation efficiency of 27 cities within China’s Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region using an improved DEA model, while also examining the associated influencing factors. The primary findings are as follows: (1) The comprehensive efficiency of the 27 cities in the YRD remains relatively low, with pure technical efficiency representing a notable constraint, while scale efficiency demonstrates higher overall performance. (2) The cities can be classified into four distinct categories: innovation-leading, innovation-optimizing, innovation-breaking, and innovation-improving cities. (3) The urban innovation efficiency within the YRD exhibits negative spatial spillover effects. (4) And notably, local economic and social characteristics such as human capital and degree of openness play a positive role in enhancing innovation efficiency in YRD cities. Conversely, factors such as economic foundation and government involvement exhibit negative contributions to innovation efficiency enhancement in YRD cities. Additionally, population mobility between cities is identified as a significant contributor to urban innovation efficiency. This study sheds light on the complex dynamics shaping urban innovation efficiency and underscores the importance of leveraging urban connections to bolster innovation capacity in the YRD and beyond.