Analysis of the characteristics and influencing factors of water ecological security in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region: A perspective of industrial agglomeration

Water ecological security (WES) is crucial for promotion of economic and social development characterized by high-quality, while exploring the characteristics of WES and its response mechanism to industrial agglomeration can help formulate and implement relevant policies. In this study, a WES evaluation index system tailored for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region was constructed based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework. Additionally, building on the assessment of the degree of industrial agglomeration within the BTH region, the research employs a spatial Durbin model to investigate the impact of industrial agglomeration on WES in the BTH region. The main results are as follows: (1) The level of WES in the BTH region has steadily increased from 2005 to 2021, consistent with the trend of industrial agglomeration in the study area. (2) Influenced by regional economic development and natural conditions, the WES in the BTH region exhibits significant regional disparities and spatial autocorrelation, with levels decreasing from the central area to the east, northwest, and south. (3) Industrial agglomeration enhances WES by improving resource utilization efficiency, reducing pollutant emissions, and providing regional governments with financial resources to improve public services and water ecological protection, leading to better water ecological quality. (4) The impact of different industries on WES varies. As the proportion of the primary industry in the BTH region is relatively small, the agglomeration of the secondary and tertiary industries is more effective in promoting improvements in WES. Moreover, the spatial spillover effects of industrial agglomeration in the BTH region are significant. To enhance the level of WES in the region, this study recommends strengthening water ecological protection, promoting industrial structure adjustment, and enhancing collaborative development.