Integrating protected areas and ecological conservation redlines: A unified regulatory framework for ecological damage in China

The integration of the ecological conservation redline and protected areas in China has positioned these zones as pivotal components of national ecological security. The Chinese government identifies ecological damage within these zones using remote sensing monitoring and subsequently implements measures to address and resolve these problems. This constitutes a critical approach for ensuring the stability, diversity, and sustainability of ecosystems. Although the supervision of these areas involves common methodologies, challenges remain, such as unclear regulatory boundaries, inadequate legal frameworks, and inefficient interdepartmental coordination. To address these issues, this study proposes a unified regulatory mechanism aimed at harmonizing oversight, strengthening legal frameworks, standardizing processes, and fostering multidepartment collaboration to ensure scientific and efficient governance. This research advances the field by integrating protected areas and ecological conservation redlines into a cohesive regulatory framework, thereby enhancing supervision efficiency through systematic and unified environmental governance.