Coupling coordination evaluation of water-energy-food and poverty in the Yellow River Basin, China.

• A theoretical framework for the relationship between WEF and poverty is proposed. • Four development types of YRB are classified. • The Hu Huanyong Line is demonstrated "dividing line between the rich and the poor". • A scheme for the quantification of poverty is provided. Under the double pressure of ecological vulnerability and economic development, natural resources and ecological environment have become the key constraints to the development of the Yellow River Basin (YRB). This paper proposed a theoretical framework for the relationship between water-energy-food (WEF) and poverty. An improved coupling coordination degree model and the geographical detector were used to evaluate the spatio-temporal coupling between WEF and poverty and its influencing factors in YRB. The results suggest that the levels of coupling coordination increase to different degrees in YRB and its provinces from 2000 to 2019, and the coupling types are characterized by pyramidal-shaped distribution. The regions of YRB are divided into four development types: water-driven type, energy-driven type, food-driven type, and economy-driven type. Spatially, a dominant factor zone is formed with a multi-polar core. Furthermore, some practical suggestions are put forward to promote the effective utilization of water resources and high-quality development according to specific regional situations in YRB. This study will promote coupling coordination and high-quality development in YRB, providing a reference for the coordination of the human-land relationship and regional sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]