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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (9): 223-235.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250032

• Research papers • Previous Articles    

Impacts of Integrated Development Level of Digital Economy and Forestry Industry on the Urban-Rural Income Gap and Its Mechanisms: Empirical Evidence from Zhejiang Province

Jun Zhai1,2(),Yan Chen1,Jiejie Zeng1,2,Can Tang1,Fanbin Kong1,2,*()   

  1. 1. College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
    2. Institute of Digital Forestry & Green Development, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
  • Received:2025-01-27 Online:2025-09-25 Published:2025-10-10
  • Contact: Fanbin Kong E-mail:zhaij@njfu.edu.cn;kongfanbin@aliyun.com

Abstract:

Objective: The study aims to examine the impacts of the integration of digital economy and forestry industry (referred to as “Digital-Forestry Integration”) development level on the urban-rural income gap in 11 prefecture-level cities in Zhejiang Province, and the mechanisms, so as to provide scientific basis for the high-quality development of forestry industry and the common prosperity of all people in China. Method: Based on the panel data from 2015 to 2022 at the city level, this study empirically examines the impacts of Digital-Forestry Integration on the urban-rural income gap in Zhejiang Province using fixed effect models and mediation effect models. Result: 1) The baseline regression results show that the impacts of Digital-Forestry Integration on the urban-rural income gap shows an “inverted U-shaped” trend, initially widening and then narrowing, and the results are robust; 2) The results of the mechanisms analysis indicate that Digital-Forestry Integration affects the urban-rural income gap through employment and income effects; 3) The heterogeneity analysis indicates that the effect of Digital-Forestry Integration on the urban-rural income gap is more significant in areas with smaller income gaps, higher development levels of digital inclusive finance, and larger urban scales. Conclusion: From 2015 to 2022, the impacts of Digital-Forestry Integration development on urban-rural income gap in Zhejiang Province presents an initial expansion and then a reduction trend with regional heterogeneity observed and it influences the urban-rural income gap through employment effects and the income effects. Therefore, Zhejiang Province should continue to strengthen policy guidance and resource allocation, promote the deep integration of digital economy and forestry industry, and gradually narrow the urban-rural income gap.

Key words: digital economy, forestry industry, digital-forestry integration development, Zhejiang Province

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