The spatial and temporal evolution of coordinated ecological and socioeconomic development in the provinces along the Silk Road Economic Belt in China

The ecological and socioeconomic conditions of the provinces along the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) in China are quite different. Current research lacks a scientific analysis of the spatial and temporal evolution of the coordinated ecological and socioeconomic development in this region. Based on the ecological footprint and the Comprehensive Development Index (CDI), an evaluation indicator system for coordinated ecological and socioeconomic development was constructed. The weights of the indicators were determined by the entropy method. Using data from 2005 to 2016, the coupling coordination degree model was used to evaluate the coordination level between the ecological and socioeconomic subsystems. The results showed a decreasing trend in the comprehensive evaluation function score of the ecological subsystem. The socioeconomic subsystem scores and coupling coordination degree fluctuated slightly in 2014 and 2015, but they increased in general. The coordinated development improved, and the spatial differences were obvious. Ecological degradation gradually exhibits a restrictive effect on socioeconomic subsystem, further restricting the improvement of the coordinated development. This study can provide a basis for scientific evaluation of the coordinated development level of ecological and socioeconomic conditions, and is conducive to improving the regional cooperation mechanism.