Spatial correlations between cultural ecosystem services and human activities along the Shenyang's Hun River corridor

Understanding the spatial interdependencies between cultural ecosystem services (CES) and human activity intensity (HAI) is critical for reconciling sustainable urbanization with ecological resilience. This research endeavors to conduct an exhaustive analysis of the spatial patterns between CES and HAI along Shenyang's Hun River corridor, as well as to explore the interrelationships between these two factors. Multi-source geospatial and socioeconomic data, spatial statistical analysis software provided initial data and technical support for this research. We developed an urban riparian-specific CES evaluation framework encompassing four categories (opportunities for water/non-water activities, cultural and heritage, landscape aesthetic quality), and integrated HAI using geospatial indicators (population density, normalized difference vegetation index, traffic accessibility, nighttime light). Applying Pearson's correlation and bivariate local Moran's I analyses, three governance-critical patterns emerged: (1) Strong positive CES-HAI synergies (r = 0.52 -0.67) for most services, driven by spatial co-occurrence patterns; (2) Spatial mismatches where high HAI clusters degrade aesthetic quality (r = - 0.33); (3) Governance-driven heterogeneity between top-down megaprojects and bottom-up initiatives. These patterns informed an adaptive zoning framework classifying riparian areas into four management categories: synergy, conflict, potential, and latent zones. This approach provides actionable insights for optimizing cultural landscape preservation amid compact city development in China's urbanizing river corridors.