Study on the Synergy/Trade-Off Relationships Between the Concentrated-Contiguous Conservation and Utilization of Traditional Villages and the Social-Ecological System Based on Network Science

Harmonious interactions among multiple functions form the foundation of sustainable rural development. This study proposes an innovative network-based framework to analyze the relationship between the Concentrated-Contiguous Conservation and Utilization (CCU) of traditional villages and their socio-ecological functions. An empirical analysis of 432 traditional villages in the Wuling Mountain Area of Hunan Province, China, reveals that: (1) The Concentrated-Contiguous Conservation and Utilization Network (CCUN) exhibits low density, local clustering, and limited long-distance connections, with its spatial distribution closely corresponding to forested land. (2) The socio-economic functional system is characterized by unobstructed cultural exchange, a clustered spatial pattern, transportation-dependent development, and a scattered distribution of villages with high attribute values, while the central region serves a significant ecological conservation role. (3) Correlation analysis reveals an overall low level of synergy between the CCUN and the socio-economic system. Through a role matching analysis of core villages across various networks, diverse multifunctional combinations were identified and categorized into four primary types: Coordinated Development, Conflict, Restricted, and Potential. The proposed methodological framework provides a practical tool to guide local governments in steering CCU practices toward multifunctional coordination and sustainability.