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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2024, Vol. 60 ›› Issue (5): 51-66.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20230484

• Frontier & focus: Theory and practice of digital empowerment for high-quality development of forestry • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Can the Rural Digital Development Improve Forestry Economic Resilience: An Empirical Evidence Based on Panel Data of 30 Provinces

Yali Mu1(),Hao Wang2,Hongqiang Yang1,Fanbin Kong1,*   

  1. 1. Institute of Digital Forestry & Green Development/College of Economics and Management/Research Center for Economics and Trade in Forest Products of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
    2. College of Economic Management, Zhejiang A & F University Hangzhou 311300
  • Received:2023-10-12 Online:2024-05-25 Published:2024-06-14
  • Contact: Fanbin Kong E-mail:muyali@njfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which rural digital development improves forestry economic resilience, providing a scientific basis for promoting the formation of a new pattern of sustainable forestry development. Method: Drawing upon panel data from 30 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China spanning the period 2011 to 2020, we constructed quantified measures of rural digital development and an evaluation index system for forestry economic resilience. Employing various statistical models including fixed effect, mechanism testing, panel threshold effect and spatial Dubin models, we analyzed the relationship between rural digital development and forestry economic resilience. Result: 1) Rural digital development is found to positively influence forestry economic resilience by enhancing productivity in both labor and land factors. These results remains robust even after a series of robustness tests and endogenous treatments. Significant regional differences exist in the impact of rural digital development, with stronger effects observed in the eastern region of China. Moreover, the enhancing effect of rural digital development on forestry economic resilience strengthens as the resilience level increases. 2) The relationship between rural digital development and forestry economic resilience exhibits nonlinear characteristics, characterized by an initial strong“digital dividend”, followed by a“digital bottleneck”in the middle stage, and ultimately yielding increasing benefits in the later stage. 3) There is a threshold effect of rural digital development on forestry economic resilience. When the level of digital development is below the first threshold, the impact on forestry economic resilience is significantly positive. However, as the level of digital development increases beyond the first threshold, the marginal returns diminish. Significant spatial spillover effects between rural digital development and forestry economic resilience are identified, with both direct and indirect effects being positive. 4) In addition to the level of rural digital development, economic development, industrial structure, and precipitation also wield significant positive effects on forestry economic resilience. Conclusion: Rural digital development stands as a potent means to effectively enhance forestry economic resilience. Accordingly, we advocate for leveraging digital technology to optimize labor and land resource allocation, fostering robust growth in the rural digital economy, and enhancing forestry economic resilience through phased, dynamic, and differentiated strategies. Concurrently, efforts to fortify economic support, streamline industrial structures, and leverage natural endowments should be intensified to further bolster forestry economic resilience.

Key words: rural digital development, forestry economic resilience, resource allocation efficiency, digital dividend

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