Zhaoping Yang’s research while affiliated with Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences and other places

This study investigates conservation challenges confronting the Great Wall sites in Xinjiang (XGWS), located in ecologically fragile arid regions vulnerable to weathering and discontinuous spatial distribution. A regional risk assessment framework integrating K-means clustering and entropy weight methods was constructed, incorporating primary risk factors identified through field surveys and data analysis. Anthropogenic disturbances, particularly agricultural expansion, emerged as dominant threats. Spatial risk patterns correlated strongly with elevation: high-risk at lower elevations (synergistic anthropogenic-natural pressures), moderate risks at mid-elevations (disaster-dominated), and minimal risks at higher altitudes. Approximately 45.3% of sites exhibited elevated environmental hazards that were concentrated in agriculturally intensive areas, urbanizing regions, and zones with severe soil salinization. Based on the risk assessment results, a zoned and graded protection strategy is proposed, providing a scientific basis for the preservation and management of the sites.

Establishing nature reserves is fundamental to promoting ecological civilization and ensuring the ecological security of sustainable development, as well as a key strategy for maintaining the integrity of the national ecosystem. In recent years, with the enhancement in environmental awareness, the role of nature reserves in maintaining ecosystem stability, protecting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable development has become increasingly prominent. As a crucial ecological defense line in China, studying the spatial distribution and influencing factors of nature reserves in Xinjiang is vital for regional ecological protection and resource management. In this study, we focused on the nature reserves in Xinjiang and used kernel density and standard deviation ellipse analysis methods to examine data from 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 in order to reveal the dynamics of spatial distribution, clustering characteristics, and evolutionary patterns, providing a scientific basis for optimizing the spatial layout of nature reserves in Xinjiang. We also employed a geographical detector model to assess the main influencing factors. This study shows that the number, area, and types of nature reserves in Xinjiang have rapidly increased, forming an integrated system predominantly composed of nature reserves. Their spatial distribution exhibits a northeast–southwest orientation and a ring-centered clustering pattern. This spatial differentiation is the result of the interaction between natural and human factors, manifesting as an enhanced effect among these factors.

Adopting advanced e-commerce practices is essential for enhancing user engagement and business performance, particularly in tourism. This study evaluates the e-commerce adoption of Kazakhstan’s tourism websites using an innovative Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (IMCDA) methodology. Traditional evaluation methods overlook the interplay between website functionality, user experience, and strategic objectives. To address this gap, the IMCDA framework integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches by combining advanced Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques, including SPOTIS, ESP-COMET, RANCOM, and SITW, with content analysis and logistic regression. The study assessed 77 tourism websites, categorized into Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), Official Tourism Websites (OTWs), and Attraction Websites (AWs), based on 34 e-commerce features grouped into dimensions such as product information, functionality, reservations, payment systems, and customer relationship management (CRM). The findings reveal that OTAs significantly outperform OTWs and AWs in most dimensions, especially in online booking and CRM functionalities. At the same time, AWs lag in key e-commerce features like reservations and payment systems. This research highlights critical gaps in Kazakhstan’s tourism e-commerce ecosystem. It provides actionable recommendations, including enhancing CRM tools, integrating advanced booking systems, and leveraging collaborations with local financial technology providers like Kaspi Pay. The IMCDA framework offers a robust, adaptable evaluation model with practical implications for digital transformation and competitiveness in the tourism industry. This study contributes to advancing digital maturity in Kazakhstan’s tourism sector by addressing these gaps. It sets the foundation for future research to explore innovative strategies in e-commerce adoption across various regions and industries.

This study investigates conservation challenges confronting the Great Wall sites in Xinjiang (XGWS), located in ecologically fragile arid regions vulnerable to weathering and discontinuous spatial distribution. A regional risk assessment framework integrating K-means clustering and entropy weight methods was constructed, incorporating primary risk factors identified through field surveys and data analysis. Anthropogenic disturbances, particularly agricultural expansion, emerged as dominant threats. Spatial risk patterns correlated strongly with elevation: high-risk at lower elevations (synergistic anthropogenic-natural pressures), moderate risks at mid-elevations (disaster-dominated), and minimal risks at higher altitudes. Approximately 45.3% of sites exhibited elevated environmental hazards that were concentrated in agriculturally intensive areas, urbanizing regions, and zones with severe soil salinization. Based on the risk assessment results, a zoned and graded protection strategy is proposed, providing a scientific basis for the preservation and management of the sites.

Natural landscapes are scenic complexes accessible to the public within national parks. Exploring their aesthetic quality can promote an emotional connection between the public and the landscape, which has a positive significance in enhancing human well-being. In this study, Mount Wuyi National Park in China was considered as the study area, and key dimensions tailored to individual and combined natural landscapes for aesthetic quality evaluation were proposed. Seventeen landscape metrics were selected to comprehensively measure the aesthetic quality level of the natural landscapes within the study area. The results indicated that (1) the spatial distribution of 341 individual natural landscapes exhibited a pattern of denser concentration in the south and east, with a relatively sparse distribution in the north and west. (2) Based on the elements of land cover, vegetation, topography, and landforms, 41 types of combined natural landscapes were identified in Mount Wuyi National Park. (3) Southeastern natural landscapes possess significant advantages in aesthetic service provision, uniqueness, diversity, combination, and coordination, and are concentrated in natural landscapes of high aesthetic quality. Natural landscapes of moderate aesthetic quality were distributed across the northern, southwestern, and some parts of the southeastern areas within the study region. The findings provide a reference for aesthetic quality assessment in natural landscapes at the micro-scale and serve as a basis for the scientific management of natural landscapes in national parks.

Landscape aesthetic quality (LAQ) evaluation is vital in territorial spatial planning. It helps to achieve the rational development and protection of territorial space and ensures the harmonious coexistence of developments and the ecological environment. Based on mapping and quantification, this paper took LAQ evaluation as the object, established a methodological framework for large-scale natural LAQ evaluation, excavated and identified key areas with outstanding landscape aesthetics service supply capabilities, and supported regional landscape planning and protection management. This paper took the Hengduan Mountains in China as an example to evaluate and identify the spatial distribution of the LAQ in mountainous areas. The results showed that the high-value LAQ areas are located east and south of the Hengduan Mountains, where high-quality natural landscapes are concentrated and have significant potential for establishing national parks. The evaluation results of the LAQ can provide a good reference for the spatial identification of future national parks in the Hengduan Mountains. Moreover, our research can provide a scientific basis for large-scale landscape spatial planning and decision-making for the classified protection and rational utilization of landscape resources and other mountain ecosystems.

This study, leveraging search engine data, investigates the dynamics of China's domestic tourism markets in response to the August 2022 epidemic outbreak in Xinjiang. It focuses on understanding the reaction mechanisms of tourist-origin markets during destination crises in the post-pandemic phase. Notably, the research identifies a continuous rise in the potential tourism demand from tourist origin cities, despite the challenges posed by the epidemic. Further analysis uncovers a regional disparity in the growth of tourism demand, primarily influenced by the economic stratification of origin markets. Additionally, the study examines key tourism attractions such as Duku Road, highlighting its resilient competitive system, which consists of distinctive tourism experiences, economically robust tourist origins, diverse tourist markets, and spatial pattern stability driven by economic factors in source cities, illustrating an adaptive response to external challenges such as crises. The findings provide new insights into the dynamics of tourism demand, offering a foundation for developing strategies to bolster destination resilience and competitiveness in times of health crises.

This study applies the Apriori algorithm and social network analysis to analyze travelogue data from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, effectively mapping significant border tourism hotspots and their interconnections within defined networks. Our findings distinctly partition the region into two principal sub-networks: Xinjiang and Tibet, highlighting the geographical segmentation that potentially impedes comprehensive regional tourism integration. The analysis underscores a pronounced reliance on transportation, reflecting the inherently multi-destination nature of border tourism in the area. Key nodes within these networks include Kashgar City and Lhasa City, serving as central hubs in their respective sub-networks, while Gar County and Hotan County act as pivotal connectors bridging the two distinct areas. Additionally, Gyirong County, Nyalam County, and Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County are identified as well-developed border tourism destinations, with Gyirong County and Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County possessing substantial potential to evolve into core border tourism hubs. Drawing on these insights, the study proposes targeted development strategies to enhance the structure and efficacy of border tourism on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.