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  • Oct. 8, 2025

Arid Land Geography ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (6): 1055-1066.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2024.654

• Territory Resources and Tourism Geography • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatio-temporal variation and obstacle factors of territorial spatial efficiency in the Yellow River Basin

WEI Jianfei1(), YUAN Youran1, LI Qiang2(), DONG Peipei1, LIU Jiurong1   

  1. 1. School of Tourism, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, Henan, China
    2. School of Urban Economics and Public Administration, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing 100070, China
  • Received:2024-10-25 Revised:2025-02-14 Online:2025-06-25 Published:2025-06-18
  • Contact: LI Qiang E-mail:weijianfei0604@163.com;eq1977@163.com

Abstract:

Territorial spatial efficiency analysis in major river basins provides critical insights for developing regionally optimized land use patterns that promote sustainable development. This study investigated the Yellow River Basin’s territorial spatial efficiency by examining 97 cities over 13 years (2010—2022). We employed a methodological framework combining spatial classification techniques, kernel density estimation, and obstacle degree modeling to systematically assess spatiotemporal patterns and limiting factors. The temporal analysis revealed fluctuating efficiency trends throughout the study period, with a consistent hierarchy of performance across spatial categories (ecological space>urban space>agricultural space). Spatially, significant heterogeneity was observed in efficiency distribution, with distinct regional agglomeration patterns. These spatial configurations demonstrated strong temporal inertia and continuity, characterized primarily by “high-high” and “low-low” agglomeration patterns. Our obstacle factor analysis identified ecological spatial efficiency as the primary constraint as the primary constraint to overall territorial spatial improvement in the basin. Further investigation revealed specific limiting factors for each spatial category: Non-agricultural output value (urban spaces), agricultural irrigation area (agricultural spaces), and ecosystem service value (ecological spaces). These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing these specific limitations. The research contributes to the theoretical understanding of territorial spatial efficiency dynamics in major river basins while providing scientific support for optimizing the territorial spatial layout and improving the level of spatial governance in the Yellow River Basin.

Key words: territorial spatial efficiency, spatio-temporal variation, obstacle analysis, the Yellow River Basin