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. 2025 Apr 29;15(1):14935.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-99532-5.

A conceptual framework for analysis of environmental security and development based on source and flow concepts

Tianhai Zhang  1   2
Affiliations

A conceptual framework for analysis of environmental security and development based on source and flow concepts

Tianhai Zhang. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Researches on security and development (SD) is interrelated and essential for ecosystem especially human survival but commonly separated and diverged to multiple scales and fields. Thus, a more integral and fundamental theoretical framework is required for following better analysis of both of the dual concepts, like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals need the more innovative interdisciplinary theoretical framework to face comprehensive challenges of both sustainable development and security in nowadays. Therefore, this research aims to integrate the study of the two aspects and proposes an abstract, general fundamental framework for analysis of environmental impact on them. Based on theory of Environmental Economic Geography (EEG), Ecosystem Services (ES) and concepts of 'Source-Access-Flow' (SAF), 'Cell model' with its 'Cell Compass' approach for analysis of environmental spatial pattern and corresponding strategies was established for such framework. The analysis results of Cell model classified and ranked different typical environmental patterns as well as corresponding actions, so as to address environmental pattern assessment and optimize strategies for better development situation. Further, possible changes were discussed and calculation methods of development level and efficiency were defined.

Keywords: Cell model; Environmental security and development; Source-access-flow.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The description of cell model (E = environment, S = system, BS = beneficial source, DS = deleterious source, meanwhile, blue represent the deleterious source and yellow represent the beneficial source without more explanation in the later figures).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The description of spatial distribution of sources (in part c, E = East, S = South, W = West, N = North).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The description of action strategy (single action and spatial layout).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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