1. Introduction

2. Research Hypothesis

3. Research Area and Data

Figure 1. Location of the study area and its land use in 2020.

Figure 1. Location of the study area and its land use in 2020.

4. Research Methods

4.2. Establish the index system

This study delves into the multifaceted factors influencing the expansion of orchard areas and the concomitant alterations within the agricultural framework, against the backdrop of the rural e-commerce development strategy unfolding within the context of an evolving information society. The investigation intricately revolves around two distinct sets of variables, namely the rural e-commerce environmental system and the agricultural economic system. Within the realm of the rural e-commerce environmental system, we discern four pivotal dimensions: “transportation (x1),” “logistics development (x2),” “network facilities (x3),” and “e-commerce platform (x4),” each meticulously elucidated in Table 1. The agricultural system, on the other hand, comprises two fundamental dimensions: “agricultural economy (y1)” and “land utilization (y2).” Within the ambit of agricultural economy, two discernible variables emerge: “total agricultural output value” and “per capita disposable income of rural residents.” The land utilization system is encapsulated by the variables “orchard area” and “fruit yield,” with their foundational underpinnings presented in Table 1 as a point of reference.

To mitigate the potential influence stemming from disparities in index dimensions and variations in magnitude across the research variables, it is imperative to enact a process of data normalization. In the present study, we employ the z-score standardization technique for this purpose. Building upon the standardized values derived from the original indices, as delineated in Table 1, and the corresponding relationships of the driving force indicators, we employ the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) methodology to ascertain the weights attributed to four distinct categories: transportation, logistics development, network infrastructure, and the e-commerce platform. The determination of these category weights is achieved through an examination of the explained variance ratio associated with the first principal component within each category. Mathematically, this is represented as follows:

$$\mathrm{p}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n} \mathrm{o}\mathrm{f} \mathrm{v}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{e} \mathrm{e}\mathrm{x}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n} i=\frac{\mathrm{e}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{g}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{v}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{e}i}{\sum _j {\mathrm{eigenvalue}}_j}$$

(1)

Table 2. The weight of E-commerce environment driving force indexes.

Table 2. The weight of E-commerce environment driving force indexes.

Index	Transportation X1		Logistics Development X2			Network facilities X3			E-commerce Platform X4
	Z1	Z2	Z3	Z4	Z5	Z6	Z7	Z8	Z9	Z10
Weight	0.13	0.31	0.25	0.29	0.06	0.31	0.31	0.30	0.50	0.49

Notes: See Table 1 for the meaning of the Tertiary index code.

5. Results and Discussion

5.1. Evolution characteristics of agricultural economy and orchard expansion

Since the initiation of market reforms in the early 1990s, the transformation of China’s agricultural land has been profoundly influenced by the relentless tide of urbanization [14]. In the case of Pinghe County, situated along China’s southeastern coastline and renowned for its prominent sweet pomelo production, the dynamics of agricultural land use have experienced a radical shift, propelled by poverty alleviation initiatives and the advancement of market-oriented economic paradigms. This transformation witnessed the conversion of vast expanses of forestlands and arable terrain into thriving orchards, effectively supplanting traditional grain cultivation with the cultivation of high-value cash crops, notably the sweet pomelo. Consequently, the agricultural landscape in Pinghe County has undergone a marked transformation, exemplified by the conspicuous emergence of non-grain agricultural land, concomitant with substantial augmentations in farmers’ income levels. The noteworthy rise in both per capita disposable income among rural residents and urbanization rates has, in turn, catalyzed the development and proliferation of this non-grain agricultural sector [41].

As discerned from Figure 4, the agricultural production system in Pinghe County, prior to the 1990s, revolved around the cultivation of staple crops, vegetables, and fruits. Regrettably, during this period, the rate of income growth for farmers and the overall agricultural output value exhibited sluggish progression. It was not until the late 1980s and early 1990s that the local authorities, recognizing the potential for growth, actively encouraged farmers to transition towards cultivating sweet pomelo and fostering the fruit industry. A comprehensive analysis of extant literature underscores that the sweet pomelo orchard’s spatial extent expanded by 343.57 km² between 1990 and 2000, experiencing a remarkable growth rate of 55.27% over the past three decades. This conspicuous expansion could be predominantly attributed to localized agricultural economic policies, which played an instrumental role in ushering Pinghe County into its present era of orchard-driven agricultural development.

In accordance with the categorization outcomes pertaining to sweet pomelo orchards detailed in Figure 4 of this investigation, the spatial extent of sweet pomelo orchards within Pinghe County, situated in the southeastern region of China, exhibited a noteworthy augmentation over the past two decades. Commencing from 2000, the sweet pomelo orchard area has undergone a substantial expansion, escalating from 245.07 km² to 470.72 km² by 2020, signifying an almost twofold increase. The epicenter of this expansion primarily encompasses the peripheries of the Huashan River basin. This phenomenon has primarily transpired through the transformation of forested and arable lands into orchard terrain. Simultaneously, the proliferation of sweet pomelo trees within Pinghe County has given rise to a consistent upsurge in fruit production. The confluence of this agricultural expansion with the advent of commercial market accessibility and the concomitant evolution of the transportation and logistics sector post-2000 has led to a momentous amplification in orchard cultivation, concomitantly augmenting the earnings of local farmers and the overall agricultural output. Empirical evidence further illustrates that subsequent to 2000, Hehe Guanxi pomelo’s supply ratio to the national market experienced a persistent ascent, ultimately capturing close to a one-third share of the entire market. The sweet pomelo industry has henceforth assumed a preeminent role in fostering rural economic advancement and augmenting the income levels of the rural populace within Pinghe County. The graphical representation in Figure 5 delineates a conspicuous correspondence between the temporal trajectories of agricultural output value, per capita income among rural residents, and sweet pomelo yield during the period spanning 2000 to 2020. Consequently, the aforementioned analysis substantiates our first hypothesis, affirming that orchard expansion exerts a favorable influence on the economic advancement of the agricultural system.

Table 3. Classified area statistics of sweet pomelo orchards in different periods.

Table 3. Classified area statistics of sweet pomelo orchards in different periods.

Year	Categorized area/km2	Time/year	Increased area/km2	Increased percentage
2000	245.07	-	-	-
2005	265.47	2000–2005	20.39	9.05%
2010	319.61	2005–2010	54.14	23.99%
2015	428.31	2010–2015	108.70	48.17%
2020	470.72	2015–2020	42.41	18.79%

5.3. Analysis of coupling between rural e-commerce environment and orchard expansion

The interconnection between urban and rural areas, particularly with regard to alterations in agricultural land use, is established through the intricate web of agricultural product circulation. This multifaceted system fosters dynamic interactions spanning social, economic, and environmental dimensions across vast geographical distances. Although urban inhabitants may not exert a direct influence on the rural ecological milieu, their market-driven demand for a diverse array of foodstuffs wields a considerable impact on rural landscapes, prompting consequential shifts in agricultural land utilization. These transformations bear profound socioeconomic and environmental implications.

In the present investigation, we undertook the standardization of indicator data pertinent to the e-commerce environment system within the geographical confines of Pinghe County. Concurrently, we executed an assessment of the degree of coupling between the e-commerce environment system and the expanse of orchards. Through these meticulous procedures, we derived comprehensive indicators characterizing the e-commerce environment system and its interconnectedness, as measured by the coupling degree, with the orchard landscape. For more detailed information, please consult Table 4.

This assertion underscores the imperative of transitioning from a narrow geographical vantage point to a broader geospatial network perspective in the realm of geographic research. Such an approach contributes substantively to the cultivation of a deeper understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms governing the tele-coupling phenomenon between humans and the land, as articulated in prior scholarship [42].

The excessive exploitation of agricultural space has the potential to encroach upon ecological territories, resulting in a diminishment of forested regions and cultivated land, which, in turn, poses potential threats to both food security and biodiversity [43]. These ecological ramifications merit careful consideration, particularly in the context of orchard expansion driven by rural e-commerce.

In comparison to local coupling, human-earth system interactions in remote coupling follow a more indirect pathway, with their impact effects being somewhat concealed [18]. When the countryside serves as the sending system and urban areas as the receiving system, the expansion of orchard acreage through remote coupling entails a sequential process. The demand for agricultural products from urban residents fundamentally influences transaction volumes and price dynamics. This market-related information, encompassing transaction data and pricing, subsequently circulates back to rural areas through a variety of channels, including the market distribution system, governmental policies, news media, professional advisory institutions, and informal communication networks.

Several studies have demonstrated the informality engendered by commerce and its adverse repercussions on rural habitats [4]. Rural inhabitants make decisions regarding land use based on market information and their familiarity with local environmental resources such as light, heat, water, and soil conditions. Additionally, they factor in production elements such as labor, capital, and technology in their efforts to cultivate crops and generate agricultural goods for urban market consumption. Market mechanisms can provoke alterations in rural production patterns when urban areas undergo social and economic transformations or policy reforms. These shifts can consequently result in changes in agricultural production, land utilization, and other input parameters.

In accordance with the data presented in Figure 7, the comprehensive indicator denoting the “E-commerce Environment System” exhibits a consistent upward trajectory over the temporal domain, in stark contrast to the relatively stable fluctuations observed in the “Orchard Area.” Notably, spanning from 2000 to 2013, the “E-commerce Environment System” indicator demonstrates a persistent and uninterrupted ascent, ultimately culminating in its zenith in 2014. This conspicuous augmentation can be ascribed to propitious market conditions and diligent policy support. This upward surge is intrinsically linked to the proliferation and maturation of internet-based commerce within rural territories. Simultaneously, the orchard area has exhibited a persistent expansion over the temporal continuum. Between 2000 and 2010, growth persisted steadily, with an accelerated rate experienced between 2006 and 2007. Subsequent to 2010, the pace of growth has decelerated, albeit with the orchard area maintaining a relative constancy.

As delineated in Figure 8, the concomitant evolution of the e-commerce environment system and the land use system is discernibly demarcated into three distinct phases. During the interval from 2000 to 2006, a gradual augmentation in their interconnection becomes evident. However, within the time frame encompassing 2006 to 2016, fluctuations manifest, including a conspicuous nadir in 2014. The primary impetus behind this descent can be attributed to the rapid expansion of the e-commerce environment system during this phase, coinciding with a saturation point in the enlargement of the land use system’s spatial expanse. From 2016 to 2020, the coupling coordination between these two systems perceptibly rekindled, achieving a relatively consistent plateau in 2020. This observation attested to a congruous developmental trajectory shared by these two systems.

Figure 7. Trends in Indicator Changes of E-commerce Environment System and Land Use System.

Figure 7. Trends in Indicator Changes of E-commerce Environment System and Land Use System.

Figure 8. Trends in Coupling Degree Variation from 2000 to 2020.

Figure 8. Trends in Coupling Degree Variation from 2000 to 2020.

Utilizing the land system within China’s principal sweet pomelo production areas as a case study, predicated on remote sensing data sources, this manuscript extensively addresses pertinent scientific inquiries regarding the causal link between the e-commerce environment and the proliferation of orchard acreage. Additionally, it delves into the intricate nexus between alterations in agricultural systems and associated human-land coupling dynamics through empirical investigations, corroborating theoretical postulations posited in prior scholarship [7]. Furthermore, this study casts illumination upon the dynamic interplay between the impetus engendered by e-commerce-driven rural development and transformations in land utilization, thereby furnishing invaluable insights into the multifaceted repercussions stemming from the integration of technology within the agricultural domain.

However, it is of paramount importance to acknowledge that the conversion of agricultural land into orchards, spurred by market dynamics, can exert substantial pressures upon local ecosystems. For instance, the ill-considered reclamation of land driven by market forces may precipitate the degradation of regional ecological environs, thereby heightening the risk of a crisis within the rural ecological milieu [3]. It is therefore imperative to encourage agricultural practitioners to diversify their crop portfolio beyond cash crops like sweet pomelo. The promotion of crop rotation and intercropping strategies can enhance soil health and ameliorate the ecological footprint associated with monoculture orchards [44]. This holistic approach stands poised to mitigate the environmental externalities attendant to extensive orchard cultivation, ultimately contributing to the cultivation of a more balanced and sustainable agricultural landscape.

6. Conclusion

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