Coordinating socio-economic development and ecological protection in the Yellow River Basin: Pathways to new quality productivity

Water scarcity, rapid urbanization, and regional disparities challenge the coordinated development of ecological and socio-economic systems in global river basins. Focusing on Yellow River Basin, this study investigates how “new quality productive forces”—driven by innovation, digitalization, low-carbon transitions, and green growth—can foster synergies between ecological protection and socio-economic progress through historical assessment, spatiotemporal analysis (2000–2020), and comparative case studies. Findings reveal a governance shift from flood control toward integrated management that links ecological restoration, industrial upgrading, and rural revitalization. Concurrent ecological and economic gains are evident: forest, grassland, and water body coverage increased (9.76%→11.41%, 56.86%→57.21%, and 0.59%→0.79%, respectively), impervious surfaces nearly doubled (1.71%→3.06%), and Net Primary Productivity (NPP) improved, with low-NPP areas declining from 55.14% to 44.88% and high-NPP areas more than doubling to 10.40%. However, persistent regional disparities remain—over 85% of the basin is sparsely populated, and 90% falls within low-GDP categories. Drawing on domestic and international insights, we propose spatially differentiated strategies: water-efficient agriculture in the lower reaches, sustainable urban-industrial transformation in the middle reaches, and large-scale ecological restoration with renewable energy deployment in the upper reaches. Policy recommendations emphasize digital technologies, ecological compensation, and basin-wide governance to advance resource efficiency, decarbonization, and equitable development. This study provides actionable pathways for sustainable transformation in the Yellow River Basin and analogous socio-ecological systems worldwide. • New quality productive forces drive ecological and socio-economic synergies in the Yellow River Basin. • Integrated governance shifted focus from flood control to ecological restoration and industrial upgrading. • Ecological indicators improved, including increased vegetation and water coverage and higher Net Primary Productivity. • Spatially tailored strategies are needed to address regional disparities and promote equitable, sustainable development.