Spatiotemporal coupling coordination between rural livability-industry synergy and sultivated land scale level in hilly areas of China

Harmonious and beautiful villages can often promote the efficient utilization of the cultivated land resources. It is often required to investigate the spatiotemporal coupling coordination between Rural Livability-Industry Synergy (RLS) and the Cultivated Land Scale Level (CLF) in the hilly regions. In this study, 30 sub-districts and towns were selected as the research units within Hechuan District, Chongqing City, China. An evaluation index system was constructed to measure both RLS and CLF. Entropy weight was also utilized to determine the indicator weights, comprehensive scores for the RLS and CLF from 2015 to 2022. A coupling coordination degree model was subsequently employed to analyze the interactive dynamics and spatiotemporal evolution. The findings revealed that: ① The comprehensive level of the RLS demonstrated a significantly increasing trend largely attributable to the targeted rural revitalization. In contrast, the CLF exhibited a slight decrease over the same period, which was potentially linked to the fragmented land practices and non-agricultural spatial pressures. Spatially, both RLS and CLF shared the "low in the north, high in the south" pattern, indicating the asynchronous and regional disparity. ② The coupling degree between RLS and CLF remained at a very high level, indicating the strong bidirectional interaction. Concurrently, the coordination degree exhibited a general upward trend. The overall coordination level was predominantly at a medium-low tier. The spatial pattern was also characterized by the "higher levels in the south and lower levels in the northwest." While the positive contribution of the tightly linked systems in the RLS currently outweighs the slight decline in the CLF. Consequently, the entire coupled system was in a state of fluctuating yet gradual enhancement. ③ The spatial agglomeration of the coupling coordination degree was intensified by 2022. Spatial heterogeneity was more pronounced compared with 2015. The northwestern areas were prevented from falling into a "low-level trap," where the low coordination hindered the overall regional production. There was a complex interdependence between rural socio-economic livability and the spatial cultivated land. The differentiated recommendations were proposed for the sustainable land resources in ecologically sensitive hilly landscapes, according to the spatial patterns.