Potential construction area identification of the transboundary national park bridging ecology, society and economics: A case study of Mount Everest region

Abstract

In biodiverse border regions, establishing transboundary national parks is essential for conserving ecological integrity, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing cross-border cooperation. This study aims to develop an integrated hierarchical identification model that bridges ecology, society, and economics to support effective site selection. We introduce a novel model that comprehensively evaluates potential construction areas based on three criteria—irreplaceability, connectivity, and cost-effectiveness. The model categorizes the landscape into three priority zones: core ecological areas, connective ecological areas, and peripheral radiation areas. Key indicators such as ecosystem service value, landscape ecological risk, and human activity intensity are employed to assess these zones. Application of the model to the Mount Everest region identified a total potential area of 63,824 km² for the transboundary national park. Within this area, core ecological areas account for 22.54 %, connective ecological areas for 21.35 %, and peripheral radiation areas for 56.12 %. Significantly, disparities in ecosystem service value, ecological risk, and human activity intensity exist across the China–Nepal border, with indicator variations closely aligned with the corresponding priority zones. The findings underscore the need for China and Nepal to consider regional and national differences when planning future park construction. Tailored zonal management and a dynamic cooperative mechanism are key to sustainable and effective transboundary park development.