Assessing vulnerability of coupled human–environment systems and its influence factors in Yan'an City, China

Abstract The natural, economic, social, resource and other factors were incorporated into the framework of VSD model, and vulnerability and obstacle degree models were used to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution and influencing factors of coupled human–environment system in Yan'an City. The results show that: (1) The overall vulnerability of coupled human–environment systems in Yan'an city from 2000 to 2014 is between 0.2589 and 17.0180, the vulnerability index values of counties in the northwest and northeast are higher, while those in the central and southern regions are lower. (2) The spatial variability in exposure (0.1516–0.2255), sensitivity (0.2235–0.3093), adaptive capacity (0.6588–0.8865) and vulnerability (0.7502–0.7949) in the study area from 2000 to 2014 showed a downward trend. The spatial variability in exposure and sensitivity in each period was moderate, while adaptive capacity and vulnerability displayed strong variability. (3) There are significant differences in the obstacles affecting vulnerability in the study area. Unreasonable economic structure, fragile ecological environment, low level of economic and social development and low efficiency of production are the leading factors affecting the sustainability of coupled human–environment system, which means that how to adjust the economic structure and improve the ecological environment is the key to the sustainable development of resource-based cities.