Synergizing Tourism, Urbanization, and Ecological Preservation: A Sustainable Development Model for Karst Regions in Southwest China

This study examines the dynamic interplay between tourism, urbanization, and the ecological environment in the ecologically rich yet vulnerable karst regions of Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou provinces in Southwest China. These areas, known for their significant biodiversity, face challenges from rapid tourism growth and urbanization, which threaten their fragile ecological balance. Our research constructs a relational model to explore this tripartite interaction using time-series data from 2000 to 2021. The aim is to identify the scientific patterns of human–nature interaction and the integrative mechanism linking developmental activities with regional ecology. The findings reveal a synergistic relationship characterized by high coordination among these sectors, termed eco-priority. This development model, which departs from traditional approaches prioritizing either development at the expense of ecology or vice versa, offers a novel perspective on sustainable development in ecologically sensitive areas. It demonstrates how regions like Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou have achieved sustainable progress by harmonizing tourism and urbanization with ecological preservation. Our study provides valuable insights for similar regions globally, proposing a sustainable development framework that respects and leverages the ecological characteristics of such areas, contributing to a broader environmental management discourse.