Research framework and prospects for the adaptability of human settlement space in natural tourist destinations

Faced with the challenges of adapting to complex and diverse changing environments, the study on the adaptability of human settlement space is not only a key direction in sustainable living environment research, but also the key to resolve the conflict between people and land in natural tourist destinations. To some extent the adaptive state can reflect the complexity, heterogeneity, and sustainability of the evolution of human settlement space systems in balancing ecological protection and tourism development. Applying adaptability theory and the Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) research paradigm, this study develops an analytical framework for human settlement spaces in complex changing environments,and constructs a conceptual framework and research system for the adaptability in natural tourism destinations. On the basis of clarifying the connotation of the concept of adaptability, the research content on the assessment, characteristics, mechanisms, and effects of human settlement space adaptability has been systematically sorted out. A multidimensional adaptability evaluation system from the dimensions of ecological adaptability, functional adaptability, and subject adaptability is built. Ecological adaptability is the appropriate expression of natural space based on ecological civilization, reflecting the adaptive relationship between human settlement space and the external natural ecological environment. Functional adaptability is the multifunctionality, reflected in the balance of various functions within human settlement space constrained by limited land resources. Subjective adaptability emphasizes the agency of the subject, reflecting the adaptive behavior and internal functional transformation ability of human as the subject to respond to the external environment. On this basis, further research directions are proposed from the perspectives of theoretical updates, operational laws, comprehensive mechanisms, human well-being effects, and research methods. This article aims to enrich the research content of geography disciplines, providing scientific support and empirical models for promoting sustainable development of human settlement environment and ecological civilization construction in natural tourist destinations, as well as comprehensive rural revitalization.