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Spatial Assessment of Ecotourism Development Suitability Incorporating Carrying Capacity in the Yellow River Estuary National Park

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  • Haoyu Wang

    (College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
    Observation and Research Station of Bohai Strait Eco-Corridor, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China)

  • Yanming Zhang

    (Qingdao Municipal Landscape Gardens and Forestry Bureau, Qingdao 266075, China)

  • Quanbin Wang

    (First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China)

  • Jing Yu

    (College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
    Institute of Marine Development, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China)

  • Chunjiu Yuan

    (Qingdao Municipal Landscape Gardens and Forestry Bureau, Qingdao 266075, China)

Abstract

Ecotourism is vital for harmonious human–nature coexistence in national parks, making the quantification of its spatial suitability an urgent scientific priority. This study took the Yellow River Estuary National Park (YRENP) as the study area and constructed a multi-criteria evaluation model by interpreting the relationship between Ecotourism Environmental Carrying Capacity (EECC) and Ecotourism Development Suitability (EDS), addressing the critical gap in the integrated land–sea ecotourism suitability assessment for coastal national parks, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine indicator weights and ArcGIS for spatial visualization. Multi-source geospatial data, including land use, NDVI, DEM, and socio-economic datasets, were integrated. The results revealed the following: (1) Overall moderate EECC levels with stronger terrestrial capacity contrast with weaker marine capacity—high-carrying zones being limited to nearshore areas; (2) The overall EDS level was favorable, where southern section significantly outperformed northern zones, forming concentrated high-suitability clusters encircling lower-suitability areas; (3) Marine EDS slightly exceeds terrestrial suitability, with optimal coastal zones transitioning landward toward progressively higher suitability. This research provided a replicable methodology for ecotourism suitability assessment in coastal protected areas and supported sustainable spatial planning in land–sea integrated national parks.

Suggested Citation

  • Haoyu Wang & Yanming Zhang & Quanbin Wang & Jing Yu & Chunjiu Yuan, 2025. "Spatial Assessment of Ecotourism Development Suitability Incorporating Carrying Capacity in the Yellow River Estuary National Park," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:18:p:8449-:d:1754064
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qin Huang & Chen Zhou & Manchun Li & Yu Ma & Song Hua, 2024. "An Approach for Mapping Ecotourism Suitability Using Machine Learning: A Case Study of Zhangjiajie, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Xianlei Dong & Shan Gao & Airong Xu & Zhikun Luo & Beibei Hu, 2022. "Research on Tourism Carrying Capacity and the Coupling Coordination Relationships between Its Influencing Factors: A Case Study of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-28, November.
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    7. Ronizi, Saeed Reza Akbarian & Mokarram, Marzieh & Negahban, Saeed, 2020. "Utilizing multi-criteria decision to determine the best location for the ecotourism in the east and central of Fars province, Iran," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
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