Rural transformation development: spatiotemporal evolution and mechanisms in the Garze-Ngawa-Liangshan region, Southwest China

Rural transformation development (RTD) is crucial for achieving sustainable development in poverty-stricken rural areas. The Garze-Ngawa-Liangshan (GNL) region, an impoverished minority area in Southwest China, has undergone significant RTD in recent decades. This study establishes a comprehensive evaluation index model encompassing economy, population, land use and land cover, society, and ecology to explore the spatiotemporal variations of RTD and the differences in the transformation mechanisms in the GNL region. The results reveal that RTD in the GNL region exhibited notable spatiotemporal variation from 2000 to 2019. Despite considerable heterogeneity in spatial distribution, regional disparities in RTD have decreased, partly due to policy implementation. Importantly, the speed and magnitude of RTD, often overlooked in previous studies, are critical indicators for assessing its reasonableness. The ecological environment is particularly significant for RTD assessment, especially in China’s ecologically fragile mountainous rural areas. Our findings suggest that promoting balanced regional development is essential in poverty-stricken areas. This study provides valuable theoretical references for planners and policymakers in implementing rural revitalization strategies.