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An integrated water sustainability assessment is conducive to realizing the optimal allocation and efficient water utilization, and alleviating the water crisis. Existing research mainly appraises water quantity and water quality as unidimensional or in combination, without considering the water benefit, and few studies have assessed the regional water sustainability based on an integrated evaluation multidimensionally. Therefore, this paper innovatively introduces water benefit to construct a three-dimensional quantity-quality-benefit model (QQBM) to evaluate water sustainability in line with the water footprint (WF) theory and water resources balance sheet (WRBS). The impact of the coupled coordination relationship among water quantity, water quality, and water benefit on the water sustainability evaluation is further analyzed by introducing the coupled coordination degree model (CCDM). This paper takes the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as an example and makes a spatio-temporal analysis of the water sustainability in its 11 provincial capitals during 2010-2021 from a single dimension and a three-dimensional perspective, respectively. The results found that: (1) From a single dimension, the water sustainability in the 11 provincial capitals in the YREB during 2010-2021 is at a medium level, with better water benefit sustainability, moderate water quantity sustainability, and horrendous water quality sustainability. Among them, the water sustainability is the best in Guiyang and Hangzhou, while the worst in Shanghai. (2) From a three-dimensional perspective, the water sustainability in the 11 provincial capitals from 2010 to 2021 is horrific. Among them, the water sustainability is the best in Kunming, Changsha, Nanjing and Shanghai, while the worst in Wuhan and Hefei. (3) The degree of coupling coordination between water quantity, water quality and water benefit significantly influence the water sustainability in the 11 provincial capitals of the YREB. The three-dimensional assessment model QQBM constructed in this study is more comprehensive and objective than the single perspective assessment. The findings in this paper can help other regions to conduct similar water sustainability assessments and inform policy recommendations.

• The definition of water sustainability is further expanded. • A water sustainability assessment model regarding quantity-quality-benefit is innovatively built. • The impact of coupled coordination relationships between the three subsystems is considered. • Water sustainability is evaluated from the single and three-dimensional perspective simultaneously. • Three-dimensional water sustainability assessment is more objective and scientific. An integrated water sustainability assessment is conducive to realizing the optimal allocation and efficient water utilization, and alleviating the water crisis. Existing research mainly appraises water quantity and water quality as unidimensional or in combination, without considering the water benefit, and few studies have assessed the regional water sustainability based on an integrated evaluation multidimensionally. Therefore, this paper innovatively introduces water benefit to construct a three-dimensional quantity-quality-benefit model (QQBM) to evaluate water sustainability in line with the water footprint (WF) theory and water resources balance sheet (WRBS). The impact of the coupled coordination relationship among water quantity, water quality, and water benefit on the water sustainability evaluation is further analyzed by introducing the coupled coordination degree model (CCDM). This paper takes the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as an example and makes a spatio-temporal analysis of the water sustainability in its 11 provincial capitals during 2010-2021 from a single dimension and a three-dimensional perspective, respectively. The results found that: (1) From a single dimension, the water sustainability in the 11 provincial capitals in the YREB during 2010-2021 is at a medium level, with better water benefit sustainability, moderate water quantity sustainability, and horrendous water quality sustainability. Among them, the water sustainability is the best in Guiyang and Hangzhou, while the worst in Shanghai. (2) From a three-dimensional perspective, the water sustainability in the 11 provincial capitals from 2010 to 2021 is horrific. Among them, the water sustainability is the best in Kunming, Changsha, Nanjing and Shanghai, while the worst in Wuhan and Hefei. (3) The degree of coupling coordination between water quantity, water quality and water benefit significantly influence the water sustainability in the 11 provincial capitals of the YREB. The three-dimensional assessment model QQBM constructed in this study is more comprehensive and objective than the single perspective assessment. The findings in this paper can help other regions to conduct similar water sustainability assessments and inform policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has exacerbated land use transformation, which in turn has affected ecosystem service value (ESV). Clarifying the spatial association between land use change (LUC) and ESV is of relevance to the development of policies for sustainable land development and ecosystem service (ES) management. In this paper, taking Hubei Province as an example, the biomass coefficient, resource scarcity coefficient and socioeconomic adjustment coefficient are introduced to improve the ESV assessment model, and then the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and ESV from 2000 to 2020 are analyzed. Furthermore, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) between land use intensity and ESV was explored through a CCD model. The results show that (1) land use in Hubei Province changed significantly from 2000 to 2020, mainly in cropland and built-up land. (2) The change in ESV showed a fluctuating upward trend, with an increase of 71.30%, and the spatial differences generally decreased, showing a spatial pattern of “low in the center and high in the surroundings”. (3) All individual ESVs first decreased and then increased, with regulating services and supporting services contributing more to ESV and hydrological regulation, maintenance of biodiversity and soil conservation being the top three ecosystem functions with high service value. (4) The CCD between ESV and land use intensity in Hubei Province and its cities (prefecture and forest area) decreased and then increased, being at the lowest and highest values in 2005 and 2020, respectively. This paper revealed the spatiotemporal evolution process of LUC and ESV in Hubei Province and their coupling coordinated relationship, which can provide effective guidance for the formulation of interzonal ES maintenance policies to reconcile the conflicts between land use and ecosystem management.

Industrial ecology (IE) was defined as a dynamic evolution process characterized by the coupling coordination relationship between ecological efficiency and industrial efficiency. This paper used data envelopment analysis and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution method to explore the spatiotemporal evolution of ecological efficiency and industrial efficiency in China’s loess plateau region (LPR) from 2006 to 2017. Based on the definition, LPR’s IE development and spatial correlations were studied separately using coupling evaluation model and social network analysis. Findings include: Although eco-efficiency and industrial efficiency were mutually promoted, and both have improved during the study period, LPR’s human-earth relation was still facing uncertainties. There were significant disparities in industrial efficiency, ecological efficiency, and IE levels among cities. The evolutionary patterns of cities were classified as coordinated development mode and professional development mode. The IE interactive network was characterized by “scale-free” and “small world,” where provincial capitals and big cities functioned as growth poles and intermediaries. The correlations of IE brought challenges as well as favorable conditions for setting up a cross-regional coordination mechanism. This paper provided a new perspective to understand IE and a “quantity and structure” driven development idea for policymakers.

The interaction between regional energy, economy and ecology system has the characteristics of high correlation and complexity. In-depth study of the relationship between the three systems is of great significance for regional sustainable development. In this paper, DPSIR (driving forces, pressures, states, impacts and responses) theory is innovatively introduced to analyze the coupling coordination mechanism among systems. On this basis, an evaluation system for the coupling coordination development of regional energy-economy-ecology system is proposed. A coupling coordination degree (CCD) evaluation model optimized by information entropy is further constructed, and the panel data of 11 provinces along the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2008 to 2017 are used for empirical analysis of this region. The results show that the development of the energy and economy systems in the YREB has strong similarities, while the evaluation values of ecology systems in the provinces mainly fluctuate or first descend then rise. The development of the ecology system is influenced by the development of energy system and economy system on the one hand, and also by regional policies on the other hand. The CCD on the time dimension is given priority to with fluctuations rise development momentum, on the spatial dimension is roughly east high and west low development pattern. And the main factors restricting the coupling coordinated development of the YREB are different in the east, central and west. The three eastern provinces all belong to the type of ecology lag, while the four provinces in the central region belong to economy lagged. The development of energy and economy systems in the four western provinces lags behind their ecology systems. In addition, this paper proposes optimal strategies for the provinces, in which the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River should reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP and accelerate the transformation from traditional economy to green economy. The downstream region should improve the ecological carrying capacity of the resources and environment, and promote the economic conversion rate of scientific and technological achievements. The research process and results show that the combination of DPSIR theory and CCD model can provide a general tool for determining the coupling coordinated effect between subsystems.

[Display omitted] • Establish the coupling mechanism under high-quality development. • Using an improved three-stage DEA model with governmental factors. • The coupling coordination degree of time series and space is revealed. • The degree reveals the east-high, west-low and gradually increasing pattern. • The space spillover presents aggregation toward the central region. To achieve the objective of high-quality development, an in-depth examination of the coupling coordination relationship between industrial green water and science and technology (S&T) innovation is essential. This study takes Chinese 30 provincial regions as specific examples and constructs the improved three-stage SBM-DEA model and entropy weight TOPSIS model to assess industrial green water efficiency and the level of S&T innovation during 2009–2021. Based on this, the coupling coordination model is applied to investigate the coupling coordination degree of industrial green water efficiency and S&T innovation, as well as the characteristics of the spatio-temporal distributions. Finally, we utilize a spatial autocorrelation model to reveal the spatial clustering characteristics of the coordination degree of the two. The findings indicate that: (1) The results of the evaluation of industrial green water efficiency and the level of S&T innovation show that the development of each province is not balanced, and the performance of the eastern coastal region is more prominent. (2) China's overall coupling coordination degree is rising steadily and moving from primary coordination into the good coordination stage. Most provinces are in the primary coordination and good coordination stages. Qinghai remains in the low coordination stage throughout the study period. Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Guangdong enter the high coordination stage. (3) The spatial distribution of the coupling coordination level of the two systems shows a pattern of high in the east and low in the west, with a positive spillover effect on the spatial adjacency. The high-high coupling coordination degree area exhibits a tendency to shift towards the central region. This paper provides a scientific basis for analyzing the coupling coordination degree and spatio-temporal differences between industrial green water efficiency and S&T innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ESV assessment model was improved. • The spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and ESV in Hubei Province are assessed from 2000 to 2020. • The overall situation of ESV tends to improve. • The CCD between ESV and land use intensity decreases and then increases. • Policy implications for maintaining ESV were proposed. Rapid urbanization has exacerbated land use transformation, which in turn has affected ecosystem service value (ESV). Clarifying the spatial association between land use change (LUC) and ESV is of relevance to the development of policies for sustainable land development and ecosystem service (ES) management. In this paper, taking Hubei Province as an example, the biomass coefficient, resource scarcity coefficient and socioeconomic adjustment coefficient are introduced to improve the ESV assessment model, and then the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and ESV from 2000 to 2020 are analyzed. Furthermore, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) between land use intensity and ESV was explored through a CCD model. The results show that (1) land use in Hubei Province changed significantly from 2000 to 2020, mainly in cropland and built-up land. (2) The change in ESV showed a fluctuating upward trend, with an increase of 71.30%, and the spatial differences generally decreased, showing a spatial pattern of "low in the center and high in the surroundings". (3) All individual ESVs first decreased and then increased, with regulating services and supporting services contributing more to ESV and hydrological regulation, maintenance of biodiversity and soil conservation being the top three ecosystem functions with high service value. (4) The CCD between ESV and land use intensity in Hubei Province and its cities (prefecture and forest area) decreased and then increased, being at the lowest and highest values in 2005 and 2020, respectively. This paper revealed the spatiotemporal evolution process of LUC and ESV in Hubei Province and their coupling coordinated relationship, which can provide effective guidance for the formulation of interzonal ES maintenance policies to reconcile the conflicts between land use and ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Construct indicator systems for green finance and clean energy. • Investigation conducted on coupling coordination relationship between green finance and clean energy systems. • Influencing factors of coupling coordination degree explored using fsQCA method. • Results reveal imbalance in coupling coordination degree for GCS in China. • Identification of three pathways for enhancing coupling coordination degree. Investigating the integrated development between green finance and clean energy has significant implications for achieving structural energy transformation and sustainable financial development. This paper aims to explore the path toward achieving a positive interaction between green finance and clean energy. To achieve this, a coupling coordination degree model for the green finance – clean energy system is constructed. Additionally, limited attention has been paid to the interconnectedness of multiple factors with coupling coordination. Hence, we introduce a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach to explore diverse pathways to enhance coupling coordination. Empirical results indicate that from 2011 to 2020, the degree of coupling coordination between green finance and clean energy in China improved from 0.3341 to 0.4718. However, it remains on the verge of an imbalanced level. Furthermore, the regional coupling coordination degree exhibits uneven development, with a tendency towards high-value clustering. The coordinated development paths of different provinces are driven by various configurations of conditions. Based on these findings, this study suggests that provinces should formulate policies tailored to their local characteristics and condition configurations, and effectively promote the coordinated development of green finance and clean energy in their respective regions. This study improves the comprehension of the coordinated development between green finance and clean energy at the provincial level in China. The employed fsQCA technique offers a novel approach for investigating developmental pathways of coupling coordination, bearing significance in promoting a mutually beneficial and harmonious relationship between green finance and clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the objective of high-quality development, an in-depth examination of the coupling coordination relationship between industrial green water and science and technology (S&T) innovation is essential. This study takes Chinese 30 provincial regions as specific examples and constructs the improved three-stage SBM-DEA model and entropy weight TOPSIS model to assess industrial green water efficiency and the level of S&T innovation during 2009–2021. Based on this, the coupling coordination model is applied to investigate the coupling coordination degree of industrial green water efficiency and S&T innovation, as well as the characteristics of the spatio-temporal distributions. Finally, we utilize a spatial autocorrelation model to reveal the spatial clustering characteristics of the coordination degree of the two. The findings indicate that: (1) The results of the evaluation of industrial green water efficiency and the level of S&T innovation show that the development of each province is not balanced, and the performance of the eastern coastal region is more prominent. (2) China's overall coupling coordination degree is rising steadily and moving from primary coordination into the good coordination stage. Most provinces are in the primary coordination and good coordination stages. Qinghai remains in the low coordination stage throughout the study period. Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Guangdong enter the high coordination stage. (3) The spatial distribution of the coupling coordination level of the two systems shows a pattern of high in the east and low in the west, with a positive spillover effect on the spatial adjacency. The high-high coupling coordination degree area exhibits a tendency to shift towards the central region. This paper provides a scientific basis for analyzing the coupling coordination degree and spatio-temporal differences between industrial green water efficiency and S&T innovation.

[Display omitted] • Define IE as an evolutionary process characterized by the dimensions of industry and ecology. • Industrial efficiency and eco-efficiency were analyzed from spatial-temporal perspectives. • Cities were classified as coordinated development mode and professional development mode. • Social network analysis was used to examine the spatial correlations of IE. • The IE interaction network was characterized by "scale-free" and "small world." Industrial ecology (IE) was defined as a dynamic evolution process characterized by the coupling coordination relationship between ecological efficiency and industrial efficiency. This paper used data envelopment analysis and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution method to explore the spatiotemporal evolution of ecological efficiency and industrial efficiency in China's loess plateau region (LPR) from 2006 to 2017. Based on the definition, LPR's IE development and spatial correlations were studied separately using coupling evaluation model and social network analysis. Findings include: Although eco-efficiency and industrial efficiency were mutually promoted, and both have improved during the study period, LPR's human-earth relation was still facing uncertainties. There were significant disparities in industrial efficiency, ecological efficiency, and IE levels among cities. The evolutionary patterns of cities were classified as coordinated development mode and professional development mode. The IE interactive network was characterized by "scale-free" and "small world," where provincial capitals and big cities functioned as growth poles and intermediaries. The correlations of IE brought challenges as well as favorable conditions for setting up a cross-regional coordination mechanism. This paper provided a new perspective to understand IE and a "quantity and structure" driven development idea for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Yangtze River Economic Belt ecosystem service function is weakening, and although the rate of new-type urbanization has grown, the spatial imbalance is more prominent. • Urbanization of population, land, economy, and infrastructure harms ecosystem services. • The coupling coordination relationship changes from intermediate coordination to primary coordination, and higher dependency on geography. As a strategy for building a beautiful China, new-type urbanization (NTU) has an impact on the regional ecological security pattern. Clarifying the coupling coordination relationship between NTU and ecosystem services (ESs) can help ecological protection and high-quality coordinated development. The methods of this paper are as follows. Firstly, the integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model is used to calculate ESs, and then evaluate the level of NTU from multiple dimensions. On this basis, the coupling coordination degree model and the relative development model are used to analyze the coupling relationship between ESs and NTU. The results indicate that the ESs in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) decreased, from 2000 to 2020. The level of NTU continues to improve, but the spatial imbalance is more prominent. ESs and NTU are significantly negatively correlated, with population, economic, land, and infrastructural urbanization having a more detrimental effect on ESs overall. In general, the coupling coordination relationship between Es and NTU changes from intermediate coordination to primary coordination, and the spatial manifestation was "high in the east and low in the west" and the dependence was strong. Most areas show lagging ES disorders. To achieve an orderly breakthrough in the steady-state phase while adhering to the law of coupled coercive development, as well as to serve as a guide for making decisions to create a YREB model with clear skies, lush vegetation, stunning mountains, and harmony between people and the land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• HE-D and DE-D were stable; most regions showed a relatively concurrent development of DE and HE. • D of the two subsystems differed in different regions with "high in the east and low in the west." • CCD fluctuated relatively steadily with differences of "high in the northern and coastal regions". • "HE benefits" and number of academic papers are the primary influencing dimension and factor in HE. • "DE input" and popularity rate of mobiles are the primary influencing dimension and factor in DE. Analyzing the coupling coordination interactions of higher education (HE) and digital economy (DE) to achieve sustainable growth is crucial. Thus, we constructed the coupling coordination interaction mechanism and the comprehensive evaluation system of the two subsystems to measure their coordination interactions; then, we processed the temporal-spatial analysis of the development status and the coupling coordination degree (CCD) in the case of China. Furthermore, we used the gray correlation model to determine the primary influencing factors and proposed differentiated policymaking suggestions. We found that: (1) the development status of higher education (HE-D) was more stable than that of the digital economy (DE-D), which showed a slight upward trend; besides, there were noticeable spatial differences for HE-D and DE-D. (2) The temporal changes of CCD were not noticeable. (3) Expenditure on research activities in HE and the number of patents were the significant factors affecting DE; the popularity rate of mobile phones and the number of employees in the DE industry were the significant factors affecting HE; besides, HE's output benefits and DE's input was more influential in the coordination relations. Furthermore, we also put forward targeted, specific, and differentiated policymaking suggestions, which can guide policymakers to formulate regional sustainable development policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the integrated development between green finance and clean energy has significant implications for achieving structural energy transformation and sustainable financial development. This paper aims to explore the path toward achieving a positive interaction between green finance and clean energy. To achieve this, a coupling coordination degree model for the green finance – clean energy system is constructed. Additionally, limited attention has been paid to the interconnectedness of multiple factors with coupling coordination. Hence, we introduce a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach to explore diverse pathways to enhance coupling coordination. Empirical results indicate that from 2011 to 2020, the degree of coupling coordination between green finance and clean energy in China improved from 0.3341 to 0.4718. However, it remains on the verge of an imbalanced level. Furthermore, the regional coupling coordination degree exhibits uneven development, with a tendency towards high-value clustering. The coordinated development paths of different provinces are driven by various configurations of conditions. Based on these findings, this study suggests that provinces should formulate policies tailored to their local characteristics and condition configurations, and effectively promote the coordinated development of green finance and clean energy in their respective regions. This study improves the comprehension of the coordinated development between green finance and clean energy at the provincial level in China. The employed fsQCA technique offers a novel approach for investigating developmental pathways of coupling coordination, bearing significance in promoting a mutually beneficial and harmonious relationship between green finance and clean energy.

• DPSIR theory is used to analyze the coupling coordination mechanism among systems. • An evaluation index system of coupling coordinated development is proposed. • A CCD evaluation model optimized by information entropy is further constructed. • The characteristics of CCD in time and spatial dimension are analyzed. • Optimal strategies for the provinces in the YREB are put forward. The interaction between regional energy, economy and ecology system has the characteristics of high correlation and complexity. In-depth study of the relationship between the three systems is of great significance for regional sustainable development. In this paper, DPSIR (driving forces, pressures, states, impacts and responses) theory is innovatively introduced to analyze the coupling coordination mechanism among systems. On this basis, an evaluation system for the coupling coordination development of regional energy-economy-ecology system is proposed. A coupling coordination degree (CCD) evaluation model optimized by information entropy is further constructed, and the panel data of 11 provinces along the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2008 to 2017 are used for empirical analysis of this region. The results show that the development of the energy and economy systems in the YREB has strong similarities, while the evaluation values of ecology systems in the provinces mainly fluctuate or first descend then rise. The development of the ecology system is influenced by the development of energy system and economy system on the one hand, and also by regional policies on the other hand. The CCD on the time dimension is given priority to with fluctuations rise development momentum, on the spatial dimension is roughly east high and west low development pattern. And the main factors restricting the coupling coordinated development of the YREB are different in the east, central and west. The three eastern provinces all belong to the type of ecology lag, while the four provinces in the central region belong to economy lagged. The development of energy and economy systems in the four western provinces lags behind their ecology systems. In addition, this paper proposes optimal strategies for the provinces, in which the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River should reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP and accelerate the transformation from traditional economy to green economy. The downstream region should improve the ecological carrying capacity of the resources and environment, and promote the economic conversion rate of scientific and technological achievements. The research process and results show that the combination of DPSIR theory and CCD model can provide a general tool for determining the coupling coordinated effect between subsystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the temporal and spatial characteristics of the coordination of urbanization and eco-environment of 30 provinces in China from 2005 to 2015, using the method of coupling coordination degree model and global (local) spatial autocorrelation. The results show that the coordination of urbanization and eco-environment are in a state of basic coordination. The coupling coordination degree of each province is gradually increasing and the spatial difference gradually narrows as time evolves. A spatial dependence is observed in the coordination of provincial urbanization and eco-environment in China from the perspective of global correlation and its dependence is weakened with the increase of geographical distance. The local agglomeration mode presents a trend towards the evolution of the “high-high” clustering mode. Finally, the spatial Markov chain method is used to forecast the provincial coordination degree in 2016. It is further confirmed that the coordinated state of urbanization and eco-environment is getting better and the spatial correlation is strengthening in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a strategy for building a beautiful China, new-type urbanization (NTU) has an impact on the regional ecological security pattern. Clarifying the coupling coordination relationship between NTU and ecosystem services (ESs) can help ecological protection and high-quality coordinated development. The methods of this paper are as follows. Firstly, the integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model is used to calculate ESs, and then evaluate the level of NTU from multiple dimensions. On this basis, the coupling coordination degree model and the relative development model are used to analyze the coupling relationship between ESs and NTU. The results indicate that the ESs in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) decreased, from 2000 to 2020. The level of NTU continues to improve, but the spatial imbalance is more prominent. ESs and NTU are significantly negatively correlated, with population, economic, land, and infrastructural urbanization having a more detrimental effect on ESs overall. In general, the coupling coordination relationship between Es and NTU changes from intermediate coordination to primary coordination, and the spatial manifestation was “high in the east and low in the west” and the dependence was strong. Most areas show lagging ES disorders. To achieve an orderly breakthrough in the steady-state phase while adhering to the law of coupled coercive development, as well as to serve as a guide for making decisions to create a YREB model with clear skies, lush vegetation, stunning mountains, and harmony between people and the land.

• Investigating the coupling coordination of social economy–water environmental quality. • Improved CCD model, scissors difference were developed. • Spatiotemporal distribution and dynamic mechanism in CCD were discussed in detail. • Subsystem development modes and suggestions were proposed to promote CCD. Investigating the coordinated development between social economy and water environmental quality is an important basis for promoting the protection of water ecological environment. In this paper, a comprehensive index system was built to estimate the coupling coordination between social economy and water environmental quality subsystems in Nansi Lake catchment, China. Improved coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, scissors difference and projection pursuit model based on genetic algorithm were developed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution and dynamic evolution mechanism of coupling coordination in social economy–water environment system. Results showed that: (1) Comprehensive level of two subsystems showed an overall uptrend, water environmental quality in the catchment was improved gradually with socio-economic development. (2) The status of coupling coordination between two subsystems had transformed from moderately unbalanced development (CCD of 0.265 in 2001) to favorably balanced development (CCD of 0.667 in 2017). The relatively low CCD in Heze generated the biggest restriction on the coordinated development between two subsystems, compared to Zaozhuang and Jining. (3) The speed difference between two subsystems showed a downward trend, the scissor difference was controlled effectively. And the social economy–water environmental quality system gradually tended to the coordinated development. Overall, the improved CCD model and scissors difference analysis in this paper may provide a new approach for empirical research on environment–economy nexus. We hope this study can help decision makers formulate measures to promote the coordinated development between social economy and water environmental quality subsystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Presents a data-driven measurement, evaluation, and identification method. • Uses a coupling coordination degree model for three regional agriculture subsystems. • Suggests ways to reduce costs, increase social support, and enhance competitiveness. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the agriculture economy environment, and society from the perspective of system theory and then put forward targeted suggestions for sustainable development of Anhui's agriculture in China. Based on the collection of relevant data and the objective weighting of indicators, the entropy weight method is used to measure the comprehensive development level of regional agriculture. The coupling coordination degree model is employed to evaluate the coupling coordination level among the three subsystems of regional agriculture. The obstacle degree model is used to identify the key obstacle factors. The case study results show that the main obstacles of the coordination system are the use of pesticides, the number of agricultural scientific and technological achievements, the application of agricultural plastic film, the number of farmers' technical training schools, and the proportion of animal husbandry. Accordingly, the paper posits suggestions, such as reducing the input of pesticides and agricultural plastic films in agricultural production, improving the social support level of agricultural science, technology, and education, and enhancing the competitiveness of animal husbandry in the Anhui Province. This study provides theoretical and methodological support for the coupled and coordinated development of regional agricultural economy, ecology and society(EES). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the agriculture economy environment, and society from the perspective of system theory and then put forward targeted suggestions for sustainable development of Anhui's agriculture in China. Based on the collection of relevant data and the objective weighting of indicators, the entropy weight method is used to measure the comprehensive development level of regional agriculture. The coupling coordination degree model is employed to evaluate the coupling coordination level among the three subsystems of regional agriculture. The obstacle degree model is used to identify the key obstacle factors. The case study results show that the main obstacles of the coordination system are the use of pesticides, the number of agricultural scientific and technological achievements, the application of agricultural plastic film, the number of farmers' technical training schools, and the proportion of animal husbandry. Accordingly, the paper posits suggestions, such as reducing the input of pesticides and agricultural plastic films in agricultural production, improving the social support level of agricultural science, technology, and education, and enhancing the competitiveness of animal husbandry in the Anhui Province. This study provides theoretical and methodological support for the coupled and coordinated development of regional agricultural economy, ecology and society(EES).