Evaluation of the coordinated development level in the coastal eco-environmental complex system: A case study of Jiaozhou Bay, China

Liu Wan; Xiao Hua Wang; Guan Dong Gao; Wen Wu

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106515

Evaluation of the coordinated development level in the coastal eco-environmental complex system: A case study of Jiaozhou Bay, China

Mar Environ Res. 2024 Apr 20:198:106515. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106515. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Liu Wan¹, Xiao Hua Wang², Guan Dong Gao³, Wen Wu⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
² School of Science, University of New South Wales, Canberra, 2600, Australia.
³ Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science, Qingdao, 266071, China.
⁴ College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Institute of Marine Development, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China. Electronic address: wenwu1985@ouc.edu.cn.

PMID: 38688111
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106515

Abstract

Given the exponential population growth and remarkable socio-economic advancements, coastal areas face increasingly complex challenges in eco-environmental management due to anthropogenic pressures. With the current emphasis on high-quality economic development, there is an urgent need to establish and evaluate a comprehensive indicator system to ensure the sustainable development of the coastal eco-environment and to meet evolving management demands. Research on the coordinated development level of coastal eco-environmental complex system, based on the concept of land-sea coordination, plays a pivotal role in promoting the resolution of eco-environmental issues in coastal areas, achieving sustainable socio-economic development in these regions. In this study, we construct an indicator system for the eco-environmental complex system in Jiaozhou Bay (JZB) coastal zone, China, comprising six sub-systems and thirty indicators. The comprehensive development level and coupling coordination degree model (CCDM) are employed in this study to analyze the indicator system in 1980-2020, aiming to elucidate the processes involved in the improvements in this complex system. The findings indicate: (i) the system's comprehensive development level evaluation and coupling coordination degree (CCD) exhibit a two-stage pattern: a declining trend in 1980-2005, followed by a rising trend in 2005-2020. (ii) despite improvements, the comprehensive development level and the CCD of the system in 2020 still hold potential for further enhancement compared to 1980; and (iii) policymaking and changes in anthropogenic pressures in coastal areas are the primary factors influencing the performance of the system. In the future, policymaking can reduce anthropogenic pressures on the coastal eco-environment, improve the comprehensive development level and CCD of the complex system, and encourage a commitment to sustainable development.

Keywords: Coastal zone; Coupling coordination degree; Eco-environmental complex system; Environmental impact; Jiaozhou Bay; Land-sea coordination; Pollution effects.