Crime governance and nature conservation: spatial-temporal patterns and influencing factors of environmental crime in China

Abstract

The prevention and mitigation of environmental crime can significantly enhance nature conservation efforts. This study employs spatial statistical analyses and Geographic Detector methods to examine the evolving patterns of environmental crime and its underlying drivers in China from 2014 to 2021. Our findings indicate that environmental crime initially increased, followed by a subsequent decline, accompanied by significant shifts in the distribution of various offence types and a trend toward greater uniformity in their proportions. The spatial distribution of environmental crime has become more concentrated, with the geographic center of incidents shifting from the southern to the northern regions. Additionally, a distinct spatial clustering is observed, with high-high and low-low patterns that remain relatively stable over the study period. The occurrence of environmental crime is influenced by a broad array of natural, economic, and social factors, with their combined impact far exceeding that of any individual factor. In future environmental governance efforts, it is necessary to improve all relevant systems and mechanisms for environmental and ecological protection, adjust the focus of supervision and law enforcement in a timely manner, and strengthen regional collaboration and coordination among different areas to establish a unified network for the prevention, control, and governance of environmental crimes.