A study on the coupling of Rural-Land Use transformation and development in the karst mountains of southwest China: the case of Guizhou province

Abstract

Revealing the coupling coordination mechanism between rural transformation and land-use transformation in ecologically fragile regions is of theoretical and practical significance for addressing the paradox between ecological conservation and rural development, and for promoting sustainable development in karst mountainous areas. Drawing on social-ecological systems theory, this study develops an analytical framework for coupling Rural-Land Use transformation. Using 88 county-level units in Guizhou Province as the study area, we apply a composite index method, a coupling coordination degree model, and Geodetector to systematically analyze the spatiotemporal evolution, coupling patterns, and driving mechanisms of the two transormation systems from 2006 to 2024. The results show that: (1) coupling coordination shifted from land-dominated temporal mismatch to rural-driven dual-high synergy, with policy interventions exhibiting a pronounced lagged-release effect; (2) spatial polarization exhibited an inverted U-shaped trajectory of initial intensification followed by convergence, and peripheral counties achieved catch-up coupling; and (3) the driving mechanism was characterized by the dominance of human factors, implicit synergy of natural factors, and nonlinear enhancement through factor interactions. This study provides empirical evidence and decision-making support for formulating differentiated Rural-Land Use collaborative governance policies in karst mountainous regions and other ecologically fragile areas.