Change and influencing factors of rural living space in Important Agricultural Heritage System communities under tourism intervention: a case study of the Qingtian Rice-Fish Culture System, China

Community-based tourism is widely promoted as a key strategy for conserving and revitalizing Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS). However, its influence on rural living space has received limited scholarly attention. Focusing on communities within the Qingtian Rice-Fish Culture System (QRFCS) in China, this study examines stage-specific changes in rural living space and the factors influencing these changes from 2003 to 2023 under tourism intervention. The results reveal a persistent paradox between the ongoing expansion of rural living space and the continued decline in the permanent resident population. At the same time, rural living space underwent functional restructuring: service functions gradually expanded, while rural residential space remained dominant overall. Rural residential and service spaces displayed clear stage-specific spatial differentiation, with distinct transformation paths emerging across communities. These changes reflect the combined effects of institutional guidance, industrial transformation, and locational conditions operating at different levels. By clarifying how tourism reshapes rural living space in IAHS communities, this study contributes to a better understanding of heritage-based rural transformation and offers practical insights for spatial governance, resilience-oriented planning, and sustainable development.