Analysis of spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of Zhejiang important agricultural heritage systems

Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS) represents an important model for sustainable development, which faces increasing pressure under rapid modernization. This study investigates 205 Zhejiang Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (Zhejiang-IAHS) using spatial analytical methods and the GeoDetector model to examine their spatiotemporal evolution, spatial patterns, and driving factors. The results indicate that: (1) The temporal frequency of Zhejiang-IAHS formation follows an inverted U-shaped trajectory, and the spatial gravity center oscillated between Shaoxing and Jinhua across different historical periods; (2) Zhejiang-IAHS exhibits a polycentric and uneven clustering structure, high-density clusters are predominantly located in plains and basin areas, while different Zhejiang-IAHS types display distinct geographical affinities; (3) Regarding the driving mechanisms of the present-day distribution, the GeoDetector analysis reveals that the explanatory power of social factors and economic factors is significantly stronger than that of natural conditions. Specifically, contemporary elements such as cultural infrastructures are identified as dominant forces associated with the spatial clustering and retention of these heritage systems. Interaction analysis further reveals a synergistic mechanism wherein static resource endowments are activated by dynamic socioeconomic conditions, with the interaction between transportation networks and tourism development being particularly pronounced. These findings suggest that while natural endowments provided the initial foundation for heritage formation, modern socioeconomic vitality plays a decisive role in their current identification and preservation. These findings highlight that activating static natural endowments through dynamic social factors and economic factors is key to the contemporary persistence of IAHS, offering a theoretical framework for understanding their spatiotemporal evolution.