An Eco‐Geological Environment Assessment and Zoning Framework for Optimizing Land‐Use Planning in Mega‐City Clusters

Eco‐geology studies interactions between Earth's surface multi‐sphere structures and their feedback mechanisms under natural and anthropogenic influences. Eco‐geological environment elements maintain organic interconnections and dynamic equilibrium, with stability being crucial for human–nature harmony in urban agglomerations. However, few studies have focused on the integrated and comprehensive assessment of regional eco‐geological environments. Therefore, quantitatively analyzing the evolution of the eco‐geological environment in urban agglomerations and its driving mechanisms is of great significance for long‐term urban planning. Taking the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei region as an example, this study developed a comprehensive evaluation model integrating ecosystem services, ecosystem vulnerability, and geological environment sensitivity and established an Eco‐Geological Environmental Security Index. In addition, spatial statistical methods were employed to uncover the driving mechanisms of eco‐geological environment evolution under multi‐factor causal cascades and interactions. The self‐organizing map (SOM) algorithm was further applied for eco‐geological environment zoning. Results showed the BTH's eco‐geological environment exhibited a spatial pattern of lower values in the northwest and higher values in the southeast, with an overall improving trend. The eco‐geological environment in the northwestern desert, southwestern mountainous, and southeastern plains was predominantly influenced by natural factors, while the northeast was significantly affected by human activities. Furthermore, SOM‐based clustering identified four distinct zones: Northwestern Long‐term Consolidation Zone, Taihang‐Yanshan Key Conservation Zone, Southeastern Stable Development Zone, and Critical Fragile Zone of the Mountain‐Plain Transition Belt. This framework provides a novel methodology for eco‐geology research and supports sustainable development of eco‐geological environments in large urban agglomerations.