Mapping China’s Changing Gross Domestic Product Distribution Using Remotely Sensed and Point-of-Interest Data with Geographical Random Forest Model

Abstract

Accurate knowledge of the spatiotemporal distribution of gross domestic product (GDP) is critical for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, there are rarely continuous multitemporal gridded GDP datasets for China in small geographies, and less is known about the variable importance of GDP mapping. Based on remotely sensed and point-of-interest (POI) data, a geographical random forest model was employed to map China’s multitemporal GDP distribution from 2010 to 2020 and to explore the regional differences in the importance of auxiliary variables to GDP modeling. Our new GDP density maps showed that the areas with a GDP density higher than 0.1 million CNY/km2 account for half of China, mainly distributed on the southeast side of the Hu-line. The proportion of the areas with GDP density lower than 0.05 million CNY/km2 has decreased by 11.38% over the past decade and the areas with an increase of 0.01 million CNY/km2 account for 70.73% of China. Our maps also showed that the GDP density of most nonurban areas in northeast China declined, especially during 2015–2020, and the barycenter of China’s GDP moved 128.80 km to the southwest. These results indicate China’s achievements in alleviating poverty and the widening gaps between the South and the North. Meanwhile, the number of counties with the highest importance score for POI density, population density, and nighttime lights in GDP mapping accounts for 52.76%, 23.66%, and 23.56%, respectively, which suggests that they play a crucial role in GDP mapping. Moreover, the relationship between GDP and auxiliary variables displayed obvious regional differences. Our results provide a reference for the formulation of a sustainable development strategy.

Decline in Planting Areas of Double-Season Rice by Half in Southern China over the Last Two Decades

“…The double-season rice cropping areas face a "rush-harvesting and rush-planting" period in late July to early August, which involves the harvesting of early rice and the planting of late rice, resulting in considerable pressure on rural labor. Over the past two decades, rapid urbanization and industrialization have led to a continual increase in the opportunity cost of rural labor and a rapid decline in the rural population [45], while per capita GDP has seen a steady rise [46]. These population and economic dynamics have profound implications for agricultural practices, particularly labor-intensive rice cultivation.…”