Do Agricultural Ecology and Food Security Promote Each Other? Evidence From China

Based on a spatiotemporal perspective, this study evaluates the agricultural ecology and food security levels of 31 provinces in China from 2013 to 2022 using the rank-sum ratio method. It analyzes the trajectory changes through the center-of-gravity model and explores the dynamic relationship between the two with the VAR model. The results show that China's agricultural ecosystem has recovered since 2019, with a 21% increase in food security capability. Geographically, the agricultural ecology index shows higher values in the east and lower in the west, while food security levels are unevenly distribution across the country. Notably, the centers of gravity are located in Nanyang, Henan, with a northwestward shift, indicating advancements in the northwest region. The synergistic enhancement of agricultural ecology and food security has significantly improved stability and sustainability, highlighting the importance of their mutual complementarity. The conclusions drawn from this study may offer insights into promoting regional agricultural sustainability and developing effective policies.