Does enhanced land use efficiency promote ecological resilience in China's urban agglomerations?

Abstract

Urban agglomerations are critical regions where the demand for land expansion often conflicts with the need to maintain ecological resilience (ER). Enhancing land use efficiency (LUE) is considered a key strategy for improving ecological infrastructure, reducing ecological pressures, and optimizing the spatial structure of ecosystems, all of which are essential elements of ER. However, existing research has largely neglected the relationship between LUE and ER, typically focusing on the development patterns of ER within individual urban agglomerations. Comparative studies on how ER responds to LUE across different stages or sub-regions are limited. Understanding how LUE enhances ER can support the coordinated goals of ecological conservation and efficient development in urban agglomerations, providing a scientific basis for their sustainable development. This study aims to develop an evaluation system for ER and LUE at the county level across 19 Chinese urban agglomerations from 2000 to 2020, analyzing their spatial-temporal evolution patterns. Using an analytical framework that addresses the overall situation, classified agglomerations and internal cities and employing machine learning algorithms, this study compares the mechanisms by which ER responds to LUE across these urban contexts. The findings reveal that: (1) The average county-level ER increased by 5.1 %, with Mature Urban Agglomerations demonstrating significantly higher ER compared to Nurtured or Developing Urban Agglomerations. Notably, Developing Urban Agglomerations showed the fastest growth at 12.9 %. Core areas exhibited a 9.6 % higher ER and a 15.2 % greater growth rate than peripheral areas. (2) LUE increased from 0.199 to 0.248 during the study period, following the pattern: Nurtured > Mature > Developing urban agglomerations. (3) The non-linear relationship between LUE and ER varied significantly across different development stages, with the most pronounced effects observed at LUE levels of 0–0.3 and above 0.5. The positive influence of LUE on ER intensified over time, particularly in regions with greater centrality and development. These findings provide actionable recommendations for ecological coordination focused on ER, land management policies, and spatial planning. This study highlights the significance of urban-rural strategies for enhancing ER, offering quantitative insights and a robust foundation for sustainable land management in China's urban agglomerations and beyond.