SPATIAL PATTERNS AND DRIVING FACTORS OF SPECIALIZED VILLAGES IN THE YANGTZE RIVER ECONOMIC BELT, CHINA
Keywords:
Specialized villages, Spatiotemporal evolution, Influencing factors, GeoDetector, Yangtze River Economic BeltAbstract
Taking specialized villages in the Yangtze River Economic Belt as the study object, this study uses specialized village data from 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017, and integrates ArcGIS spatial analysis, the nearest neighbor index, kernel density estimation, spatial autocorrelation, buffer analysis, and GeoDetector to systematically examine the quantity distribution, type structure, spatiotemporal evolution, and influencing factors of specialized villages in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The results show that: (1) the total number of specialized villages in the Yangtze River Economic Belt remained relatively stable, but significant differences existed across provinces and counties, forming a regional distribution pattern characterized by relatively high concentration in the upper and lower reaches and relatively weaker concentration in the middle reaches. (2) The spatial distribution of specialized villages showed significant spatial clustering, with relatively stable core agglomeration areas mainly located in parts of the Sichuan Basin and central Jiangsu. At the county scale, a spatial differentiation pattern gradually formed, with the Chengdu-Chongqing region and the Yangtze River Delta as the main hot spots, and parts of the central and southwestern mountainous areas as the main cold spots. (3) Specialized villages were mainly distributed in low-elevation and low-slope areas and showed clear river-proximity and road-proximity characteristics, indicating that terrain conditions, river systems, and transport accessibility had important effects on their spatial layout. (4) In terms of type structure, specialized villages in the Yangtze River Economic Belt were dominated by agricultural production-oriented villages, while agriculture-related service-oriented villages showed structural transformation and non-agricultural industry-oriented villages declined markedly. (5) The GeoDetector results indicate that institutional, cultural, technological, and market factors, such as farmers’ professional cooperatives, registered trademarks, pollution-free agricultural product certification, green food certification, leading agribusinesses, and agricultural wholesale markets, were important factors influencing the spatial differentiation of specialized villages. Moreover, different factors exhibited significant interaction enhancement effects. The findings provide empirical support for optimizing the spatial layout of specialized villages, promoting rural industrial revitalization, and supporting high-quality agricultural development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
References
[1] The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, The State Council. Opinions on anchoring agricultural and rural modernization and steadily promoting all-round rural revitalization. Xinhua News Agency, 2026, 02-03. https://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/zywj/20260203/724188820db8404ebc739feacc64a2d3/c.html.
[2] Zhang Y Z, Song M L, Qiao J J, et al. Research characteristics and prospects of specialized villages in China: A CiteSpace-based bibliometric analysis. Journal of Henan University (Natural Science), 2024, 54(3): 314-324. DOI: 10.15991/j.cnki.411100.2024.03.001.
[3] Zhu Q K, Qiao J J, Han D, et al. Spatial pattern and agglomeration measurement of specialized villages in Henan Province . Progress in Geography, 2022, 41(3): 396-408. DOI: 10.18306/dlkxjz.2022.03.004.
[4] Chen J S. Division of labor, market and cooperation: A study on the development path of specialized villages in Zhejiang. Chinese and Foreign Entrepreneurs, 2007(12): 89-91. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-8772.2007.12.026.
[5] Qiao J J, Yang J W. Recent progress in the study of specialized villages in China. Human Geography, 2013, 28(5): 76-80. DOI: 10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2013.05.011.
[6] Li X J, Luo Q, Fan X S. Formation and evolutionary mechanism of specialized villages in agricultural regions. China Soft Science, 2009(2): 71-80. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-9753.2009.02.009.
[7] Xie J J, Rui Y, He J L, et al. A comparative study on the distribution types of service specialized villages in China from the perspective of the “two natures”. Progress in Geography, 2026, 45(3): 618-632. DOI: 10.18306/dlkxjz.2026.03.012.
[8] Han M, Liu F, Wang M J, et al. Development status，characteristics and challenges of professional villages and towns for rural characteristic industry in China. Agricultural Engineering, 2025, 15(12): 138-142. DOI: 10.19998/j.cnki.2095-1795.202512322.
[9] Xiao J, Qiao J J, Liu Y, et al. Measurement of resilience and spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of specialized villages in Henan Province: A case study of 50 specialized villages. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 2025, 45(10): 2202-2214. DOI: 10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.20241476.
[10] Zhang S H, Xue Y X, Wang W, et al. Classification and development models of tourism specialized villages in mountainous counties. Journal of Natural Science of Hunan Normal University, 2025, 48(3): 85-95. DOI: 10.7612 /j.issn.2096-5281.2025.03.010.
[11] Wu N L, Qiao J J, Liang Z P, et al. Characteristics and influencing factors of different evolutionary types of specialized villages in Henan Province. Geographical Research, 2023, 42(6): 1560-1576. DOI: 10.11821/dlyj020221208.
[12] Qiao Y, Yan M, Liu G, et al. Determinants and grassroots voices for specialized village development in China: A survey of 1155 village cadres. Journal of Rural Studies, 2025, 120: 103822. DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2025.103822.
[13] Sarfo I, Qiao J, Gyamfi G A, et al. Why stay when the other side seems greener: Exploring residents' willingness to stay in rural China's specialized villages. Habitat International, 2025, 165: 103566. DOI: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2025.103566.
[14] Zhu Q K, Qiao J J, Han D, et al. Evolutionary characteristics and influencing mechanisms of agglomeration networks of specialized villages in central China's agricultural areas: A case study of Chinese yam specialized villages in Jiaozuo. Geographical Research, 2025, 44(9): 2315-2334. DOI: 10.11821/dlyj020240635.
[15] Li X, Ye X, Zhou X, et al. Specialized villages in inland China: Spatial and developmental issues. Sustainability, 2018, 10(9): 2994. DOI: 10.3390/su10092994.
[16] Li L, Niu N, Li X. Factors affecting the long-term development of specialized agricultural villages north and south of Huai River. Land, 2021, 10(11): 1215. DOI: 10.3390/land10111215.
[17] Noknoi C, Boripunt W, Lungtae S. Key success factors for obtaining a one tambon one product food five-star rating in Phatthalung and Songkhla provinces. European Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Sciences, 2012, 48(96): 103.
[18] Li C Y. Analysis of industrial agglomeration and influencing factors of vegetable specialized villages in Beijing. Beijing: Beijing University of Agriculture, 2020. DOI: 10.26950/d.cnki.gbjnx.2020.000032.
[19] Liu C G. Spatial pattern and evolutionary mechanism of the locational distribution of specialized villages in the Yellow River Basin. Kaifeng: Henan University, 2018. DOI: 10.27114/d.cnki.ghnau.2018.000001.
[20] Niu N, Wang C, Jin H. Untangling the spatial patterns of evolution of specialized villages and influencing factors. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 2023, 11: 1186686. DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1186686.
[21] Ghorbani M, Brenner T. Prerequisites and initial developments for economic specialization in lagging regions—A study of specialized villages in Iran. Review of Regional Research, 2021, 41(2): 1-40. DOI: 10.1007/s10037-021-00161-y.
[22] Xiao J. Analysis of the driving forces of leisure agriculture transformation and upgrading in Henan Province. Chinese Journal of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, 2019, 40(11): 309-314. DOI: 10.7621/cjarrp.1005-9121.20191140.
[23] Li E L, Xu Y N, Yong Y J, et al. Agricultural structural adjustment and rural transformation development in China: Cases of Gongyi and Yanling in Henan Province. Progress in Geography, 2018, 37(5): 698-709. DOI: 10.18306/dlkxjz.2018.05.013.
[24] Qiao J J, Wang Z L. The impact of rural transformation development on the level of rural modernization: Evidence from specialized villages in Henan Province. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 2026: 1-14. DOI: 10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.20241244.
[25] Pan W, Wang J, Yin J B, et al. Research progress and implications of transformation development in specialized villages with special industries. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 2026: 1-13. DOI: 10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.20250182.
[26] Zhao Y Q, Liang J F. Spatial pattern and influencing factors of litchi specialized villages in Guangdong Province. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 2023, 39(20): 155-164. DOI: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2022-0609.
[27] Xiao J, Qiao J, Han D, et al. Spatial distribution and transformation mechanism of specialized villages in typical agricultural areas: Case study of Henan Province, China. Habitat International, 2024, 146: 103034. DOI: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2024.103034.
[28] Wang M J, Yan Z H, Yu B, et al. Spatial pattern evolution and influencing factors of e-commerce specialized villages: Evidence from Taobao villages in China, 2015-2020. Progress in Geography, 2022, 41(5): 838-853. DOI: 10.18306/dlkxjz.2022.05.008.
[29] Cui Z Z, Li E L, Liu C G. Spatiotemporal evolution and mechanism of green agricultural specialized villages in the Yellow River Basin. Economic Geography, 2021, 41(12): 158-166. DOI: 10.15957/j.cnki.jjdl.2021.12.017.
[30] Chang S Y, Qiao J J, Zhu Q K, et al. Spatial heterogeneity and nonlinear mechanisms of specialized villages and towns: A case study of “One Village, One Product” in Henan Province. Geographical Research, 2026, 45(2): 434-451. DOI: 10.11821/dlyj020250647.
[31] Wu N, Liang Z, Liu M, et al. Regional drivers or local constraints? Spatial patterns and development pathways of specialized villages in Henan, China. Journal of Rural Studies, 2026, 121: 103877. DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2025.103877.
[32] Xie J, Rui Y, Liu K, et al. Multi-dimensional characteristics and zoning optimization of the spatial pattern of specialized villages in China: A large-sample analysis based on the supply-demand coupling. Land, 2025, 14(2): 339. DOI: 10.3390/land14020339.
[33] Liu Q, Qiao J J, Xia X, et al. Spatiotemporal evolution and driving factors of different types of specialized villages in Henan Province. Journal of Henan University (Natural Science), 2023, 53(5): 525-536. DOI: 10.15991/j.cnki.411100.2023.05.004.
[34] Qiao J, Lee J, Ye X. Spatiotemporal evolution of specialized villages and rural development: A case study of Henan Province, China. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 2016, 106(1): 57-75. DOI: 10.1080/00045608.2015.1086951.
[35] Liu C G. Spatial pattern evolution and influencing factors of specialized villages in the Yellow River Basin. Resources Science, 2020, 42(12): 2300-2313. DOI: 10.18402/resci.2020.12.04.
[36] Gu Y F, Ding J H, Wu Y H, et al. Spatial evolution and influencing factors of rural e-commerce from the perspective of complex adaptive systems: A case study of Taobao villages in Hebei Province. Geographical Research, 2024, 43(10): 2721-2743. DOI: 10.11821/dlyj020231011.
[37] Zou L K, Liang Q, Song L H. Rural e-commerce entrepreneurship emergence and mechanism from the perspective of entrepreneurial ecosystems: A case study of Taobao villages in China. South China Journal of Economics, 2024(1): 142-158. DOI: 10.19592/j.cnki.scje.400943.
[38] Wang W, Qiao J J, Cheng S Y, et al. Agglomeration evolution mechanism of Chongdu tourism specialized villages based on actor-network theory. Human Geography, 2023, 38(2): 155-163. DOI: 10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2023.02.018.
[39] Zhang Y Z, Qiao J J, Song M L, et al. Spatiotemporal evolution and influencing factors of product sales markets in specialized villages in the eastern Henan Plain: A case study of Shangqiu, Henan Provinc. Journal of Henan University (Natural Science), 2023, 53(3): 253-264. DOI: 10.15991/j.cnki.411100.2023.03.001.
[40] Zhu Q K, Qiao J J, Han D, et al. Spatiotemporal changes in sales markets of specialized villages in Henan Province: A case study of 50 specialized villages. Geographical Research, 2022, 41(3): 794-809. DOI: 10.11821/dlyj020210058.
[41] Wang W, Hu Y J, Jiang K L, et al. Agglomeration evolution mechanism of mountainous tourism specialized villages: A case study of Luanchuan County. Journal of Henan University (Natural Science), 2024, 54(4): 394-403. DOI: 10.15991/j.cnki.411100.2024.04.011.
[42] Zhang Y. Spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of Taobao villages in Guangdong Province. Shanxi Agricultural Economy, 2025(8): 107-110. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-4896.2024.02.002.
[43] Zhang N, Qiao J J, Xiao J, et al. Spatiotemporal evolution of rural industrial development from the perspective of location entropy: A case study of specialized villages in Henan Province. Journal of Henan University (Natural Science), 2023, 53(6): 645-656. DOI: 10.15991/j.cnki.411100.2023.06.012.
[44] Xu Y, Qiao J J, Xia X, et al. Spatial pattern and diffusion mechanism of planting-type specialized villages and towns in the middle and lower Yellow River region. Areal Research and Development, 2023, 42(5): 153-159. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-2363.2023.06.017.
[45] Cao Z, Liu Y S, Li Y R, et al. Spatial pattern and influencing factors of specialized villages and towns in China. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2020, 75(8): 1647-1666. DOI: 10.11821/dlxb202008007.
[46] Zhou S, Wu N L. Spatial Distribution of Villages and Towns With Specialized Planting and Its Influencing Factors: A Case of National Demonstration Specialized Villages and Towns in China. Economic Geography, 2021, 41(4): 137-147. DOI: 10.15957/j.cnki.jjdl.2021.04.017.
[47] Li H, Ding Z W, Ma F F, et al. Differences in development quality and influencing factors of Taobao villages in Henan Province. Areal Research and Development, 2023, 42(6): 108-114. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-2363.2023.06.017.
[48] Huang Y. Spatial pattern and driving forces of “One Village, One Product” demonstration villages and towns in Sichuan Province. Chengdu: Chengdu University of Technology, 2022. DOI: 10.26986/d.cnki.gcdlc.2022.000511.
[49] Cao J J, Zhang Y. Spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of rural e-commerce: A case study of Taobao villages in Shandong Province. Shanghai Urban Planning Review, 2022(2): 93-100. DOI: 10.11982/j.supr.20220214.
[50] Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Overview of economic and social development. 2019, 07-13.
[51] Yang Yao, Zhao Yaolong, Fang Subin, et al. Deciphering Evolutionary Patterns and Multifaceted Drivers of Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries in Amdo's Tibetan Inhabited Area, China. Transactions in GIS, 2024, 29(1). DOI: 10.1111/tgis.13279.
[52] Fan Wenyi, Subrina Sadia. Understanding the Organization of Public Cultural Facilities in Rural Tourism County: GIS-Based Analysis in Deqing County, China. Transactions in GIS, 2025, 29(3): e70063. DOI: 10.1111/tgis.70063.
[53] Zhu Zihan, Zhang Cheng, Lu Yangyang, et al. Ecological Risk Assessment and Prediction of Riparian Zones in the Jiangsu Section of the Yangtze River from a Spatiotemporal Perspective. Ecological Indicators, 2025, 174: 113492. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113492.
[54] Li Bingyuan, Pan Baotian, Cheng Weiming, et al. A New Scheme for Geomorphic Regionalization of China. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2013, 68(3): 291-306. DOI: 10.11821/xb201303001.
[55] Wang Jinfeng, Haining Robert, Zhang Tonglin, et al. Statistical Modeling of Spatially Stratified Heterogeneous Data. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 2024, 114(3): 499-519. DOI: 10.1080/24694452.2023.2289982.
[56] Zhang qingyun, Yin Yunhe, Li Bingyuan. A New Scheme for Climate Regionalization in China. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2010, 65(1): 3-12. DOI: 10.11821/xb201001002.