Declining Urban–Rural Population Densities: How Do They Affect Natural Habitat?

Abstract

The decline in urban–rural population density (URPD) has consistently characterized China's rapid urbanization. Analyzing the spatiotemporal trends in URPD and their effects on habitats within the context of China's ecological civilization is crucial. However, quantitative studies on the decline in URPD are lacking, and the impact on natural habitats remains unclear. Therefore, using population census and land‐use data, we analyzed the spatiotemporal trends in URPD and habitat effects in China between 2000 and 2020. The results show that China's urban population density (UPD), rural population density (RPD), and habitat quality have decreased by 11.7%, 40.2%, and 2.1%, respectively, and they all tend to shift to lower values. The effects of UPD and RPD on natural habitats vary and exhibit regional heterogeneity. This study provides insights for promoting high‐quality urban–rural development and advancing ecological civilization.