Coupling coordination evaluation of ecology and economy and development optimization at town-scale

Global ecological damage caused by economic development has prompted various regions worldwide to explore sustainable development pathways. This study aims to elucidate the micro -level impacts of macro -development strategies on towns' development to guide future regional management. The spatiotemporal changes in the coupling coordination between gross ecosystem product (GEP) and gross domestic product (GDP) were measured at various scales. The GEP results were adjusted based on harvest pressure, management intensity, and succession stage. Spatial simulations of GDP are conducted at a 30m resolution using VIIRS nighttime light data. The results showed that the GEP-GDP coupling coordination changes among the 14 towns in Dongtai City exhibited significant spatiotemporal variations and distinct gradient characteristics between 2010 and 2020. GEP-GDP coupling coordination of both city and town levels significantly decreased, with noticeable differences between the eastern and western regions. The study reveals an intensification of economic -ecological conflicts at both the overall and local levels. However, the performance of the city scale masked the great differences at the town scale. Therefore, the development balance at the town level needs wider attention in areas such as land use and development planning.