Linking agricultural water-food-environment nexus with geographical indication products using geographic information

Geographical Indication (GI) agricultural products play a crucial role in modern agriculture due to their distinct regional characteristics and their significance in the water-food-environment nexus. This study utilizes ArcGIS 10.2 to create a comprehensive geographical dataset of GI products in Jiangsu Province, incorporating various data types, including digital elevation models (DEM), hydrological data, road density, and socioeconomic information. We employed GeoDetector software to analyze these datasets, aiming to uncover the spatial distribution and influencing factors of GI products. Our findings indicate that there are significant concentrations of GI products in coastal and urban areas, especially in regions such as Suzhou, Yancheng, Nantong, and Suqian. These areas exhibit notable diversity in their GI products: Suqian, Yancheng, Nantong, and Taizhou are prominent in both crop cultivation and aquaculture, while Nantong stands out as a hotspot for livestock-based products. Additionally, natural factors such as topography, landforms, water resources, and climate are found to significantly shape the spatial distribution of GI products. These natural influences are complemented by socioeconomic factors, including population density and economic activity, which contribute to the regional specialization and development of GI products. Furthermore, this study explores the complexities of water management, investigating how local climate and water resource availability affect agricultural practices and product quality. We also assess the environmental impacts of agricultural activities, emphasizing the critical need for sustainable practices to maintain ecological balance and ensure the longevity of GI agricultural systems.