Coupling coordination mechanism between ecological protection and high quality development in the Yellow River Basin

Abstract In the issue of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, this study deeply discusses the influencing factors of the coupling and coordination level between the two systems by calculating the ecological environment protection and high-quality development, as well as the ecological protection evaluation index system, and using spatial econometric models. The results showed that the average value of the comprehensive evaluation index for ecological protection in the Yellow River Basin grew from 0.253 to 0.351 (2014–2023), and the overall coupling coordination degree was in the range of 0.496 to 0.582. This indicated that the country’s emphasis on protecting the Yellow River ecosystem and the implementation of its policies had achieved significant results, and the overall environmental condition of the system had been significantly improved. At the same time, the comprehensive evaluation index for high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin also showed a fluctuating upward tendency, indicating the mutual connection between economic development and ecological environment protection. Tests had shown that the use of oil and water resources had a negative impact on the system degree of coupling and coordination, while other factors had a positive impact. This study provides useful references for environmental protection and sustainable development, and provides guidance for policymakers to achieve ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.