Research on the evolutionary characteristics and mechanism of production-living-ecological space in Shanxi Province, China

An investigation of the evolutionary characteristics and internal driving mechanisms of territorial space since the reform and opening up is essential. The study will guide the orderly development and rational layout of territorial space, as well as achievement transformation and high-quality development in Shanxi Province. We used land use data from 1980 to 2020, which was divided into four periods, to examine the changes in production-living-ecological spatial pattern in Shanxi Province. Various methods, including the territorial spatial transfer matrix, standard deviation ellipse and spatial autocorrelation, were employed to analyse the evolution of the territorial spatial pattern. Applying GeoDetector as the primary tool, we conduct research on the mechanisms underlying the evolution of this spatial pattern. The results indicated that Shanxi Province exhibits distinct differentiation characteristics in both the horizontal and vertical spatial dimensions. Over the 40-year period from 1980 to 2020, the territorial spatial pattern of Shanxi Province transitioned from gradual change to drastic change to moderate change. The production space (PS) and ecological space (ES) decreased, while the living space (LS) significantly increased. The territorial spatial pattern of Shanxi Province exhibited a northeast‒southwest distribution pattern, and the changes in the centre of gravity of the production-living-ecological spaces varied in direction. The spatial distribution of land in Shanxi Province is influenced by both natural factors and human activities, leading to changes in its territorial pattern over time. The primary catalyst for the development of production space (PS) is grain production, while the major determinants of the development of living space (LS) are the overall gross domestic product (GDP) and public financial expenditure. Thus, topography greatly influences ecological space (ES).