Against the backdrop of global climate change and the Anthropocene, earth's surface human-Earth systems face unprecedented risks of systemic disharmony. Geography is an integrated discipline focused on regional human-Earth system that uncovers natural laws while simultaneously serving the needs of geographic practice. In the Anthropocene, characterized by high-intensity human activities, geographic engineering has emerged as a critical frontier for addressing contemporary challenges and resolving human-earth coupling issues. This paper systematically explores the context, significance, theoretical underpinnings, and practical pathways for developing geographic engineering: (1) elucidating the necessity and urgency of advancing modern geographic engineering in the Anthropocene; (2) systematically analyzing the conceptual core and research domains of geographic engineering to establish a comprehensive research paradigm encompassing modern Geo-Science, Geo-Technology, Geo-Engineering, and Geo-Practice (Geo-STEP); (3) mapping the structural integration of geographic science and engineering based on a matrix classification of horizontal disciplines and vertical technical hierarchies, thereby constructing a formal disciplinary framework; and (4) outlining future developments in Geographic Science and Engineering, focusing on overcoming technical bottlenecks in multi-scale human-Earth system simulation, intelligent Geo-design decision-making, and the dynamic assessment of engineering outcomes. These findings provide a clear paradigmatic reference and disciplinary pathway for geography to support major national strategies, including ecological civilization construction, the modernization of human-earth harmony, and comprehensive rural revitalization.

Determining the scale of urban and regional development in line with the resources and environmental carrying capacity (RECC) is a core scientific issue for human-natural relationship study in geography. Traditional researches on RECC have overlooked the organic connections among various single-factor carrying capacities, and its scientific and practical value remains insufficient. Therefore, based on the regional system theory of human-natural relationships, the ecological threshold and planetary boundaries theory, the resources nexus theory, the pericoupling and telecoupling theory, this study proposed the threshold linkage theory on RECC, including the comprehensive set theory, the elastic range theory, and the linkage control theory. Some application scenes were also carried out in combination with practice of China's territorial spatial planning. Results show that: (1) The thresholds of various single-factor RECC in a certain area are a set of interrelated and simultaneously changing thresholds, which are influenced by the same natural and anthropogenic factors. Therefore, in practice, it is not advisable to emphasize a single-factor RECC in isolation. Instead, a comprehensive assessment should be carried out. (2) The thresholds of various single-factor RECC in a certain area have not only rigid constraints but also elastic ranges that are compatible with their inherent attributes. Their evolution processes theoretically follow the compound Logistic curve change law. In practice, the upper and lower limits of the elastic range of the comprehensive RECC can be ultimately determined based on the single-factor RECC, using the results of equal-weight and variable-weight summation. (3) The thresholds of various single-factor RECC in a certain area are causally correlated through natural and anthropogenic factors. They can be controlled in a linked manner by changing one or more main factors. In practice, the system dynamic model can be established to achieve mathematical correlations among the thresholds of various single-factor RECC, and then simulate scenarios and optimize the elastic range of the comprehensive RECC. The above theories reveal the essential characteristics and threshold correlation logic of RECC, aiming to provide a new perspective for a scientific understanding and quantitative assessment of the comprehensive RECC, while also offering theoretical support for determining appropriate thresholds for resource utilization, environment development and urban scale control in territorial spatial planning.

As one of the fundamental concepts and principles of geography, map has long been a focal point of academic discourse and debate. Despite numerous attempts by scholars to define the concept of the map, no single definition has been able to comprehensively and definitively capture its diverse forms and rich connotations. This ongoing struggle creates what can be described as the "Sisyphus dilemma" of map conceptualization: from defining what constitutes a map to critically reflecting on the composition of the concept, and further to expanding its boundaries, scholars continuously strive for precise definitions, only to generate new conceptualizations, ultimately returning to the original point of inquiry. In response to this challenge, this study first conducts a panoramic review of existing map research through the lens of paradigm theory, synthesizing eight theoretical paradigms that underpin map studies and uncovering their foundational assumptions, intrinsic characteristics, and methodological principles. Second, it systematically examines the root causes of the Sisyphus dilemma by analyzing three key dimensions: how humans engage with maps, how maps are utilized, and how maps are cognitively understood and developed. Finally, based on the theoretical logic necessary to resolve this dilemma, the study proposes a new paradigm for map research, one that embraces conceptual openness, by integrating insights from epistemology, ontology, and methodology. As a practice-oriented approach, this new paradigm seeks to dismantle binary oppositions in map studies. It shifts the focus from maps as isolated entities to the complex social relations and interactions they mediate; from representational analyses centered on power structures, cognitive subjectivity, and reductionism to a non-representational framework emphasizing relational dynamics, embodied experiences, and contextuality; and from essentialist normative knowledge to experiential knowledge within a generative perspective. This study not only provides a new theoretical foundation and reference framework for contemporary map research but also contributes to the advancement and innovation of fundamental geographic theory, offering both intellectual enrichment and practical guidance.

This study discusses the scientific connotations of the non-grain use of cultivated land (NGUCL), and systematically reviews the progress of current key issues. On this basis, a multi-scale collaborative governance system for NGUCL was constructed by integrating multi-scale comprehensive judgment and cross-scale collaborative governance, following the framework of "predicament perspective-governance principles-framework design-governance pathways". Research results indicate that: (1) The NGUCL embodies the spatial manifestation of the conflict between the strategic demands of food security and farmers' livelihood development, marked by the spatial restructuring and functional transformation of cultivated land utilization. This phenomenon aligns with the underlying logic of cash crop expansion and natural environmental constraints, fundamentally reflecting a systemic contradiction between the public-interest nature of grain production and the private-rights attributes of cultivated land use. (2) Current calculations of NGUCL lack spatial data support for cultivated land use methods, leading to unclear recognition of the NGUCL pattern and an insufficient data foundation for precise research. There are multiple interconnected phenomena between NGUCL and other pathological land-use issues. A single management strategy for the NGUCL problem may exacerbate conflicts between agricultural operators and land regulators, pushing NGUCL to evolve into "ecological degradation" or land abandonment. Regional differences determine the diversity of driving models for NGUCL, and there is an urgent need to explore regionally appropriate regionally appropriate remediation plans and spatial zoning strategies. (3) Given the complex causes and spatially heterogeneous manifestations of NGUCL, this study proposes a multiscale governance framework integrating scale differences and multidimensional perspectives, structured as a national-regional-household gradient framework. This framework transcends traditional single-dimensional regulatory models by emphasizing natural dimension principles of "grow grain where the land suits grain, and grow fruits where the land suits fruits" while prioritizing the regulation and governance of excessive human-induced non-grain use in cultivated land. It balances ecological adaptability with targeted constraints on unsustainable anthropogenic interventions. (4) Future research should focus on the use of spatiotemporal big data-driven multi-scale studies on NGUCL, analyze the multi-dimensional driving and collaborative mechanism of NGUCL' governance in rural revitalization, innovate theories and methods for multidimensional benefit trade-off analysis ("economic benefits-ecological environment-social demands"), and explore the protection coordination mechanism and sustainable development strategy for the "quantity, quality, ecology sustainability" of cultivated land in the context of national food security.

The coupling transformation of rural residential land and cultivated land use represents a critical pathway for optimizing land use systems and achieving coordinated urban-rural territorial development, and constitutes an emerging research frontier within land use transformation studies. Based on theoretical analysis and a comprehensive literature review, this study examines the conceptual characteristics and operational mechanisms of this coupling transformation, identifying key scientific questions and primary research agendas within a theoreticallygrounded framework. Three principal findings emerge. First, while single-dimensional transformation studies of rural residential land or cultivated land have achieved considerable maturity, research on the coupling transformation involving mutual interactions between these two land types remains limited. Rural territorial system theory, urban-rural relationship theory, and spatial structure theory provide theoretical support and substantive insights for this emerging field. Second, the coupling transformation of rural residential land and cultivated land use differs from conventional land use transformation research by emphasizing the developmental process through which mutual influences between the two land types achieve synergistic adaptation and systemic optimization. This process exhibits characteristics of phased evolution, collaborative co-evolution, and goal orientation, operating through interconnected mechanisms of initiation, support, promotion, coordination, and feedback. Third, future research should pursue theoretical, practical, and methodological objectives, addressing fundamental questions namely what the coupling transformation is, how it can be measured, why it occurs, what effects it produces, and how it can be regulated. Accordingly, five major research domains are proposed: conceptual and theoretical modeling, identification of process characteristics, analysis of impact mechanisms, evaluation of transmission effects, and design of optimization pathways. This study aims to advance comprehensive studies of multi-type land use transformation coupling, providing theoretical foundations and policy insights for new-type urbanization and rural transformation development.

Accurate quantification of human activity intensity (HAI) is crucial for understanding land surface changes. The Qinling-Daba Mountains (QDM), spanning six provincial-level regions in China's north-south transitional zone, exhibit complex human-environment interactions due to their ecological significance and long history of anthropogenic influence. This study integrates seven indicators from socio-economic and geographical dimensions, including population density, road density, land transformation degree, distance from roads, distance from settlements, topography and river density, to map HAI distribution across the QDM for 2000 and 2015. HAI changes were analyzed at regional, county, and nature reserve scales. The results showed that: (1) The HAI distribution shows obvious spatial heterogeneity. Some 53.36% of the QDM exhibits moderate-to-higher HAI, with hotspots in the eastern QDM, the Hanshui River Valley and the Western Jialing River Basin as well as the southern flank of the Daba Mountains; while high-altitude mountainous areas (e.g., the Daba Mountains, the central-to-western Qinling Mountains) show lower HAI. (2) The HAI changes of the QDM from 2000 to 2015 show an increasing trend, including 62.31% of the QDM, 61.68% of the counties and 65.45% of nature reserves. (3) The HAI Changes also show a clear spatial differentiation. The southern flank of the Daba Mountains, the eastern Qinling Mountains, the Hanshui River Valley and the Jialing River basin experience an obvious increasing trend; while the northern flank of the Qinling Mountains, the western Qinling Mountains, and the South-to-North Water Diversion Water Resource Breeding Area basically show a decreasing trend, no significant change, or a slight increasing trend. (4) HAI and its changes in the QDM exhibit altitude variations. Low-altitude areas (<1500 m) display stronger HAI and more significant changes, whereas high-altitude areas (>2000 m) show low HAI and negligible variation. The HAI datasets enable quantitative assessment of human impacts on vegetation and ecosystem functions, and provide an important basis for identification of ecological fragility for conservation prioritization in this biodiversity hotspot.

The development process of relief degree of land surface (RDLS) faces several challenges, including the unclear applicability of multi-source digital elevation models (DEMs), poor interpretability of the optimal analysis window, and strong subjectivity in its application to topographic suitability of human settlements (TSHS) zoning. Using Nepal, a typical mountainous country globally, as a case study, we employed five DEM products (ALOS PALSAR, ASTER GDEM V3, NASA SRTM V3, ALOS AW3D30 V3.2 and NASA SRTM V4) to refine the window selection method for RDLS generation and to explore factors influencing the optimal analysis window. By comparing the accuracy of the five derived RDLS products, a 90 m-RDLS dataset for Nepal was developed. Integrated with WorldPop population density data, the TSHS and its associated spatiotemporal population distribution dynamics in Nepal were further evaluated. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) The optimal analysis window size exhibits a positive correlation with DEM spatial resolution, with larger optimal windows typically found in areas of higher terrain relief. (2) Finer-resolution DEMs yield lower RDLS values, and vice versa. Among the tested 30-m DEMs, SRTM V3 and AW3D30 demonstrated superior performance in characterizing regional terrain relief, showing highly consistent results. (3) RDLS values across Nepal are generally high. Areas of low relief constitute less than 1/4 of the country, while high-relief areas account for over 2/5. (4) TSHS in Nepal is primarily categorized as moderately suitable. Over 90% of the population is concentrated in suitable zones (covering less than 50% of the land area). Population distribution maintains a stable, weak negative correlation with RDLS, with no significant shift observed in the overall spatial pattern of population agglomeration. Population growth has been concentrated predominantly in highly suitable and moderately suitable zones. This study provides methodological insights for global RDLS mapping and TSHS assessment, and contributes to deepening the understanding of human-land relationships from an integrated terrain relief perspective.

Based on the element geochemistry, magnetic susceptibility and grain size indexes of lacustrine sediments in Gucheng Lake, we reconstructed the hydrological-climatic changes with high resolution in the Jiangsu-Anhui Plain along the Yangtze River since the Holocene. At the same time, combined with the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of archaeological sites in the pre-Qin period, the evolution of human-land relationship in the study area was discussed. The results show that from 11.5 to 7.0 cal ka BP, after the Younger Dryas event (YD), the climate quickly turned into the warmest and wettest period, but the fluctuation was frequent; From 7.0 to 5.0 cal ka BP, there was a trend that the climate changed to cold and drought in the early stage, but the climate was warm and humid in the later stage, and the lake water level was stable; From 5.0 to 4.0 cal ka BP, the precipitation dropped progressively and the climate became drier; From 4.0 to 1.5 cal ka BP, the climate fluctuated frequently and underwent a ‘wet-dry-wet’ transition. From 1.5 cal ka BP to now, the environment has been influenced obviously by intensified human activities. The above-mentioned hydrological and climatic evolution process has affected the spatial distribution of archaeological sites, agricultural development and cultural rise and fall. The early Neolithic climate fluctuated frequently, and human beings were too dependent on the environment, resulting in the slow development of civilization. In the middle and late Neolithic period, the stable hydrological climate laid a habitat foundation for agricultural development and promoted population expansion. In Xia Dynasty period, the sharp deterioration of the climate led to the ruins plummeted and the culture declined. In Shang and Zhou dynasties, the hydrological climate was so harsh that the local inhabitants had to seek their own survival and development by changing production strategies and technological innovations. The change of hydrological environment has not only a positive impact but also a negative impact on human survival and development in the Jiangsu-Anhui Plain along the Yangtze River since the Holocene. With the improvement of productivity level, the dominant factor of the evolution of human-land relationship is gradually inclined from natural to human factors. Both the cold-dry and warm-humid climate were conducive to the development of human civilization within a limitation. The transition of human societies from passive to proactive adjustment towards the natural environment reflects the interplay between human beings and the natural environment.

The Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) fostered a series of influential Neolithic cultures. Reconstructing paleoclimatic variations across this region is essential for understanding the relationship between climate change and local cultural evolution. Land snail shells are among the most abundant and best-preserved biogenic carbonates across the CLP. However, it remains unclear whether the stable isotopic compositions of archaeological snail shells can reliably record local climatic conditions during site occupations. In this study, we analyzed the carbon (δ¹³Cₛₕₑₗₗ) and oxygen (δ¹⁸Oₛₕₑₗₗ) isotopic compositions of land snail shells collected from modern surface soils, the cultural layers of the Nanzuo site (5100-4700 cal a BP), and the Shuaibao loess section. A total of 20, 26, and 11 paired δ¹³C_shell and δ¹⁸O_shell datasets were obtained from the modern soils, the Nanzuo site, and the Shuaibao loess section, respectively. Our results show that during the Nanzuo occupation, the mean δ¹³C_shell and δ¹⁸O_shell values were -8.11‰ and -9.23‰, respectively, which were approximately 1‰ and 4.65‰, lower than the modern values, -7.07‰ and -4.58‰, respectively. Considering the established relationship between snail shell isotopic values and local precipitation, these results indicate that mean annual precipitation (MAP) during the Nanzuo occupation was significantly higher than modern levels. Based on the relationship between modern δ¹³C_shell values and MAP across the CLP, where δ¹³C_shell decreases by about 1‰ for every 100 mm increase in MAP, we estimate that the MAP during the Nanzuo occupation reached approximately 600-650 mm, around 100 mm higher than today. This estimate is consistent with paleoclimatic reconstructions derived from phytolith, pollen, and stalagmite records in adjacent regions. Our results demonstrate that the isotopic composition of land snail shells from archaeological contexts can serve as a reliable proxy for paleoclimate reconstructions on the CLP. This approach establishes a new framework for environmental reconstruction in archaeological contexts across the Chinese Loess Plateau and inland East Asia, shedding light on prehistoric human-environment interactions and adaptation to climate change.

Empowering improved urban land use performance through the digital economy represents a pivotal pathway for realizing the efficient allocation of urban spatial resources and alleviating the constraints imposed by land resource scarcity. From the distinctive perspective of geographical factors, this study draws on panel data covering 280 prefecture-level cities and above in China over the period 2006-2022. Employing econometric tools such as a fixed effects model, difference-in-differences model, and moderating effect model, it empirically examines the impact of the digital economy on urban land use performance and further analyses the actual role of geographical factors in this relationship. The findings are as follows: (1) The development of the digital economy can significantly improve urban land use performance, primarily exerting its influence through the talent dividend, industrial structure optimization, and policy agglomeration. (2) Among geographical and climatic conditions, sunshine duration has a negative moderating effect on the impact of the digital economy on urban land use performance, whereas average temperature and precipitation have positive moderating effects. (3) Affected by geographical location, the promoting effect of the digital economy on urban land use performance is more prominent in southern cities, eastern cities, and cities that are transportation hubs. Drawing on the integrated disciplinary strengths of geography, this study makes two distinct contributions to the extant academic literature. On the one hand, it provides systematic theoretical interpretations, a rigorous analytical framework, and empirically validated evidence to clarify the causal mechanisms underlying the interaction between the digital economy and urban land use performance. On the other hand, it lays a solid academic foundation and offers pragmatic decision-making insights for the in-depth integration of digital technologies into specialized practice domains such as territorial spatial planning and urban governance.

Reconstruction of the spatiotemporal changes in historical cropland area provides a fundamental basis for revealing long-term human-environment interactions. This study focuses on the Hubei-Hunan region, an area with intensive reclamation activities during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Using historical documents as the primary source, we reconstructed cropland areas at the county-level for multiple time points. Given the socioeconomic history and natural environmental conditions, we applied different reconstruction methods. We directly used registered land records from Ming-Qing local gazetteers to reconstruct the cropland area at the county-level in plains, hills, and low mountains, while indirectly estimated the cropland area at the county-level in western mountainous areas based on population records. The results indicate that: (1) Between 1391 and 1850, cropland area in the Hubei-Hunan region underwent a process of growth-decline-recovery-stabilization. Cropland expanded rapidly in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), up from 1.96×10⁴ km² in 1391 to 5.79×10⁴ km² in 1582, or an increase of 193.9%. It declined sharply during the mid-17th-century Ming-Qing transition, with the area in 1681 dropping to only 50.6% of its level in 1582. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), cropland area entered a period of recovery and stabilization. In 1750 and 1850, the cropland area reached 6.18×10⁴ km² and 6.59×10⁴ km², which was equivalent to 106.6% and 113.8% of its 1582 level, respectively. After centuries of land reclamation, the cropland area by 1850 had expanded to approximately 334.5% of its 1391 level. (2) Spatially, land reclamation exhibited a clear gradient pattern. Land reclamation tended to prioritize plains and the surrounding hills, then gradually advanced to low mountains and hills, and finally expanded to mountainous areas. In 1582, 44.7% of counties in the central plains and hills had a cropland fraction exceeding 20%, a proportion that rose to over 60% by 1750. The hilly and low-mountain areas in the north and south also became major zones of cropland expansion during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the northern hills and low mountains, the proportion of counties with a cropland fraction above 20% increased from 16.7% in 1582 to 41.7% in 1750; a similar trend occurred in the south, though at a lower overall level. Land reclamation in the western mountains occurred relatively late: only 2.5% of counties had a cropland fraction exceeding 10% in 1750, rising to 7.5% by 1850. (3) Although the registered land records from Ming-Qing local gazetteers were not the result of standard precise measurement, the records themselves were continuous and followed a relatively consistent format. After historical data processing and methodological correction, these records can serve as a reliable basis for reconstructing the cropland area in the Ming and Qing dynasties, especially from the late Ming Dynasty to the mid-Qing Dynasty.

Mangrove ecosystems play a key role in biodiversity conservation, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration. A thorough understanding of the evolutionary history of mangroves and the factors driving their changes is crucial for accurately predicting their future development trends and devising scientific conservation strategies. This study analyzed 21 surface sediment samples and 3 sediment cores collected from the core distribution area of mangroves in Yingluo Bay. Using pollen analysis, supplemented by ²¹⁰Pb and AMS ¹⁴C dating, grain-size analysis, and organic matter source identification of the core sediments, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of mangroves in Yingluo Bay over the past 700 years. Furthermore, the results were compared with other mangrove reconstruction records along the South China coast to explore the driving factors underlying these changes. We found that from the early 15th century to the late 19th century, the mangroves in Yingluo Bay and the coastal areas of South China generally developed poorly due to the low-temperature climate of the Little Ice Age. From the late 19th century to the 1980s, the mangroves in the northern part of Yingluo Bay began to flourish as the temperature rose, while the mangroves in other coastal areas continued to decline due to human activities. Since 1980, large-scale aquaculture ponds led to a general decline in South China's coastal mangroves. However, owing to effective conservation measures, the trend of mangrove degradation in Yingluo Bay was temporarily reversed between 2000 and 2010, though it has resumed since 2010, reflecting that the impact of aquaculture ponds still exists. Coastal mangroves in South China are projected to suffer varying degrees of threat from sea-level rise. In the northern part of Yingluo Bay, however, the abundant fluvial sediment supply has resulted in sedimentation rates that significantly exceed the local rate of sea-level rise, thereby reducing the vulnerability of mangroves in this region. Therefore, future mangrove conservation strategies in this region should prioritize the control and management of aquaculture activities.

Healthy ecosystems are fundamental to human survival and sustainable development. However, compared to ecosystem services (ES), the understanding of ecosystem disservices (EDS) significantly lags behind, resulting in a lack of comprehensiveness in ecosystem management and decision-making. In response to this gap, this study systematically reviews the latest advancements in EDS research and provides an empirical analysis using wildlife damage as a case study. The findings indicate that: (1) Since the EDS concept emerged in the 1990s, related phenomena have been reported in nearly 100 countries and regions. However, a unified consensus on the concept of EDS has not yet been reached within academia, and its formation mechanisms and effects have not been fully elucidated, lacking a systematic theoretical framework. (2) This study defines EDS as changes in the structure, processes, and functions of ecosystems driven by biological factors, where these changes have direct or indirect negative impacts on human well-being. Following the research paradigm of geography, a theoretical framework centered on "identification-mechanism-effect-regulation" is constructed, emphasizing that EDS exhibits significant scale dependency and spatiotemporal heterogeneity. (3) Typical cases reveal that wild boar damage in mountainous areas is a classic example of agricultural EDS, driven by socio-ecological factors such as ecological environment restoration and conservation policies. This has caused severe impacts on local residents' livelihoods. In the study area, 98.55% of surveyed farmers experienced wild boar damage, with damaged cultivated land reaching 30.62 hectares, accounting for 79.55% of the total surveyed cultivated land, and over 30% of this land was subsequently abandoned. (4) Globally, EDS issues are becoming increasingly prominent. Their impacts not only lead to direct economic losses but also threaten human life and health and trigger social conflicts, highlighting the urgency of EDS regulation. EDS research should focus on constructing multi-scale dynamic analysis frameworks to more accurately capture the evolutionary characteristics of EDS at different scales. Meanwhile, there is an urgent need to establish multi-dimensional evaluation indicator systems and standardized methodologies for the quantitative assessment and comparative study of EDS. Additionally, there is a need to establish regulation mechanisms involving multi-scenario simulation, multi-objective optimization, and multi-stakeholder collaborative governance to achieve integrated management that balances ES and EDS.

As an important lens for exploring human-environment interactions in geography, research on cultural ecosystem services (CES) has grown rapidly in recent years, particularly in the interpretation, identification, and quantification of CES. With the rise of internet technologies, scholars have increasingly turned to social media platforms to conduct or support CES studies. This review, based on English-language literature indexed in the Web of Science (WOS) from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2025, systematically examines the evolving phases of CES research supported by social media data and summarizes the key limitation involved. Social media data offer advantages such as large data volume, easy accessibility, and the ability to capture users' spatial and temporal visitation patterns. However, several limitations remain. At the data level, persistent challenges include representation bias, since social media users are predominantly younger, the perspectives of older demographic groups may be underrepresented. Moreover, the use of web crawlers for data collection raises legitimate concerns regarding user privacy and data protection. At the technical level, unresolved challenges include removing noise and duplicate information, reliably recognizing linguistic and cultural diversity, and addressing the persistent opacity of algorithmic process. At the theoretical level, the research is constrained by the lack of robust frameworks for conceptualizing CES flows and the difficulty in systematically linking user characteristics to specific service demands. In response, this review proposes a developmental framework of "Data foundation-Technical optimization-Theoretical integration". At the data level, the framework suggests improving privacy protocols, conducting cross-platform validation, and encouraging public participation to enhance data robustness. At the technical level, it emphasizes building multilingual training datasets, automating de-noising processes, and improving spatio-temporal resolution to capture dynamic user engagement with green spaces. At the theoretical level, the integration of fine-grained population mobility data from big data science, spatio-temporal insights from geography, public demand analysis from sociology, and policy perspectives from management can help advance the conceptualization of CES flow. This framework connects empirical exploration with theoretical construction, and provides a new pathway for advancing CES research supported by social media data.

Ecological systems contain both positive flows, which contribute to stability, and negative flows, which amplify disturbances. However, the interaction between these flow types remains underexplored. Focusing on the period 2000-2022, this study aims to construct an integrated ecological-risk coupled network and derive a comprehensive ecological security pattern for the Weihe River Basin, a key catchment in Northwest China. To achieve this objective, we first identified ecological sources and risk sources based on evaluations of ecological regulation functions and ecological sensitivity using multi-source datasets. A unified resistance surface was then generated by integrating terrain, land use, hydrology, and human activity factors. Using the patch - corridor - matrix framework, least-cost path analysis, and circuit theory, we extracted ecological corridors, risk corridors, and bidirectional regulatory corridors linking ecological and risk sources.The results show that: (1) Ecological and risk networks exhibit strong spatial differentiation. A total of 18 ecological sources and 109 ecological corridors are concentrated in the Qinling Mountains and mountainous regions of central China, forming a longitudinal ecological barrier. In contrast, 17 risk sources and 116 risk corridors are clustered in the northern Loess Plateau and Guanzhong Plain, constituting a transverse risk transmission belt. (2) The two networks are tightly coupled through 50 ecological→risk regulatory corridors, 43 risk→ecological regulatory corridors, and 69 mutual regulatory nodes, highlighting the Guanzhong Plain as the key interaction zone that buffers ecological conflicts and enables cross-regional regulation. (3) The resulting ecological security pattern displays a "conservation in the south and control in the north" configuration, emphasizing strict ecological protection in the western upper reaches, targeted governance in the northern Loess Plateau, and coordinated regulation in the middle and lower basin. Overall, by integrating positive and negative ecological flows into a unified analytical framework, this study overcomes the traditional limitation of focusing on ecosystem services while neglecting ecological risks. The proposed zoning-grading-classification management strategy offers a scientific basis for basin-scale ecological governance and advances the theoretical and methodological development of ecological network research.

Risk assessment of soil erosion (SE) under specific conditions of soil water retention (SWR) is essential for effective resource management, particularly in water source regions. In this study, the Southern Gansu Plateau (SGP) was selected as the study area. Drawing on monitoring data from hydrological stations and field surveys, the InVEST and RUSLE models were rigorously validated through multiple approaches, enabling a comprehensive characterization of the spatiotemporal dynamics of SWR and SE. Innovative indices including soil water retention index (SRI) and soil erosion risk index (SEI) were developed to investigate the underlying patterns linking SWR and SE. Furthermore, future changes in SWR and SE were simulated under three emission scenarios derived from multiple GCMs, and targeted strategies were proposed to enhance soil and water conservation capacity in alpine-cold river source areas. The results of the study showed that, during the period 1990-2019, the SGP exhibited a multi-year average SWR of 21.19 mm, with a rising trend at a rate of 0.54 mm·a^-1. The average SE modulus was 26.55 t·hm^-2, showing a declining trend at a rate of 0.38 t·hm^-2·a^-1. Areas with high SWR were primarily located in regions with dense forestland and grassland cover, including the middle reaches of the Daxia River and Taohe River basins in the central plateau, Maqu in the southwest, and the Bailong River basin in the southeast. In contrast, high SE values were mainly concentrated in the loess region of the northern SGP. Notably, areas experiencing increases in both SWR and SE partially overlapped with their respective high-value regions. In addition, a conditional logarithmic relationship was identified between the SRI and the SEI. Except for unused land, increases in SWR across all other land use/cover (LUC) led to reductions in SE. In LUC with high vegetation cover, even slight gains in SWR significantly suppressed SE, whereas in low-coverage areas, SE reduction was more sensitive to changes in SWR. Over the next 30 years, changes in SWR and SE are expected to be most pronounced in forestland, grassland, and unused land. Under the low-emission scenario, most LUC are projected to experience declines in SWR and increases in SE, whereas the opposite trends are observed under the medium- and high-emission scenarios. Built-up land shows the most adverse outcomes under the medium-emission scenario, while wetland exhibits a consistent trend of declining SWR and increasing SE across all three scenarios. Notably, changes in SWR and SE in unused land show a high degree of synchronicity. This study provides a case-based reference for assessing precipitation-triggered SE under the context of regional SWR.