Quantitative Evaluation for Coupling Coordinated Development between Ecosystem and Economic System—Case Study of Chinese Loess Plateau

Abstract

In this study, models of coupling coordinated development (CCD) between ecosystems and economic systems are proposed to evaluate the CCD status of large-scale areas such as the Chinese Loess Plateau, aiming to support decision making to promote county-level coordinated development. In the generated model with the evaluation criteria, the CCD relationship of the plateau was assigned to three classes and 7 types and 12 subtypes. It demonstrates that the CCD status between the ecosystem and the economic system in the Chinese Loess Plateau is at a very low level. Results obtained from this project indicate this quantitative evaluation method is concise, applicable, and effective. Most importantly, the work has established a novel methodological framework for CCD evaluation of large-scale areas.