Social–ecological dual-network patterns and coupling characteristics in Gannan Prefecture from a complex network perspective

Under the tide of globalization, ecological fragmentation and imbalanced urban development have emerged as two major global challenges. In recent years, facing dual pressures of social governance and ecological protection, Gannan Prefecture has encountered separate issues in both social and ecological systems, further impeding their coordinated coupling development. This study proposes an optimization method integrating social-ecological dual networks with coupling coordination to achieve balanced eco-social integrated development. Using ENVI, ArcGIS, UCINET, and MPNET, we established an “ecological network-social network-interlayer network” framework. The ecological network was constructed through three steps: selecting comprehensive source points, building ecological resistance surfaces, and identifying ecological corridors. A township evaluation system covering population-industry-land-transportation was developed, employing an advanced gravity model to build social networks. Both networks were abstracted as undirected, unweighted complex networks for metric measurement. Coupling degree between social and ecological networks was quantified, while interlayer network stability and dual-network dependency were assessed by measuring module proportions in both networks. Key findings include: (1) Western Gannan shows better ecological conditions while eastern areas exhibit superior social development; (2) Ecological networks demonstrate higher stability and balance than social networks, though with lower network efficiency; (3) 91% of townships display coordination imbalance, including 13% with moderate or severe imbalance; 4) Minimal proportions of stable modules A3 and C2 indicate unstable social-ecological dual networks. Analyzing influencing factors of network balance, coordination, stability, and dependency, we propose ecological functional zoning and spatial planning aligned with national territorial spatial planning principles, aiming to support high-quality development and ecological civilization construction. This study not only enriches the theoretical knowledge base of complex network research but also offers new perspectives for research on social and ecological networks. At the same time, it provides planning methodology references for regions with similar ecological environments and social development characteristics, thereby accelerating the construction and development of ecological urbanization nationwide.