Assessing Rural Habitat Suitability in Anhui Province: A Socio-Economic and Environmental Perspective

Xiaowei Shi, Peitian Su (supeitian@gzist.edu.cn), Yanle Xia (xiayanlei@chzu.edu.cn), Heng Zhang, Yuzhuo Shen, Bonoua Faye, Yujing Wang, Lei Liu and Ruhao Xue
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Xiaowei Shi: School of Economics and Management, Chuzhou University, Chuzhou 239001, China
Peitian Su: School of Economics and Management, Guangzhou Institute of Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510850, China
Yanle Xia: School of Mathematics and Finance, Chuzhou University, Chuzhou 239001, China
Heng Zhang: School of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Yuzhuo Shen: Institute of Science and Technology Information, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 570000, China
Bonoua Faye: School of Public Administration and Law, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Yujing Wang: School of Finance, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Lei Liu: School of Economics and Management, Chuzhou University, Chuzhou 239001, China
Ruhao Xue: School of Economics and Management, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng 044000, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-21

Abstract: Assessing rural habitat suitability and its connection to land response is a vital tool for understanding the socio-economic and environmental challenges in rural areas tailored to local contexts. This study fills existing research gaps by examining the suitability of rural habitats in Anhui Province, opening pathways to reveal how rural sustainability may connect to land. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, it analyzes the short- and long-term effects of socio-economic and environmental factors on rural suitability across various counties. Additionally, a descriptive analysis explores the pathways linking rural suitability to land use responses. The findings reveal that rural greening, village planning, and housing area per resident positively influence rural habitat suitability in both the short and long term. However, agricultural income growth shows a negative impact, potentially due to structural issues in the sector. Environmental factors like temperature and rainfall have a limited influence on rural suitability. The study underscores the importance of suitable rural infrastructure, namely enhancing rural greening rate, implementing village plans, and improving housing for sustainable rural development. Regional variations in rural habitat suitability across Anhui Province are also evident. While some cities, such as Huaibei and Anqing, demonstrate success in revitalization, others, like Suzhou and Chizhou, face challenges. The results highlight the need for region-specific strategies that account for local environmental, economic, and infrastructural contexts. Tailored approaches are essential to achieving long-term, effective rural development in the province.

Keywords: Anhui province; rural habitat; ARDL model; rural habitat suitability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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