Yansui LIU | human and economic geography | Outstanding Scientist Award

Prof. Yansui LIU – human and economic geography – Outstanding Scientist Award

Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences | China

      Profile

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

He embarked on his academic journey with a passion for human and economic geography, regional agriculture, and urban-rural development. His early studies were rooted in understanding the intricate relationship between humans and the environment, leading him to develop innovative concepts in the field of geographic sciences. Liu’s academic pursuits laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to advancing knowledge in the areas of rural development, land consolidation, and agricultural geography. His academic background, coupled with a strong drive to address real-world challenges, positioned him as a key figure in the geographic sciences community.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

As a Professor at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a TWAS Fellow, He has led a distinguished career. His professional work has been marked by groundbreaking research in human-earth system science, regional land consolidation, modern agricultural areal systems, and rural revitalization. Liu’s innovative contributions to land system science, such as introducing the human-earth relationship areal system and developing the concept of geographic engineering, have had a lasting impact on the field. He has also been instrumental in leading several national and international initiatives, including the establishment of the International Geographic Union’s Commission on Agricultural Geography and Land Engineering (IGU-AGLE) and the Alliance of Poverty Reduction and Development (ANSO-APRD).

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Travel Behaviour and Society

His research has been pivotal in advancing human and economic geography, particularly in rural and agricultural contexts. He has made significant contributions in several key areas: Human-Earth System Science: Liu introduced the theory of the human-earth relationship areal system into land system science research, proposing concepts like the human-earth composite system, land allocation hierarchy, and land resource engineering. Agricultural Areal Systems: He revealed the principles and evolution laws of China’s agricultural areal systems, particularly in response to climate change, and formulated the “China Modern Agricultural Zoning” plan in 2018. Rural Areal System (RAS): Liu developed the theory of RAS, exploring the relationship between rural decline, rural diseases, and urban-rural development. His work on rural revitalization and poverty alleviation has been widely recognized. Geographic Engineering: As a leader in this emerging field, Liu has hosted the establishment of research demonstration bases across China, promoting land engineering technology and sustainable development.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Throughout his illustrious career, He has received numerous accolades and recognitions. In 2018, he was elected an academician of TWAS, and in 2022, he became a Fellow of the Geographical Society of China. His extensive research output includes over 580 scientific papers, with 260 published in prestigious journals such as Nature, Science, Land Use Policy, and the Journal of Rural Studies. Liu’s work has earned him a high H-index of 86 on Scopus, a testament to his influence and impact in the academic community.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

His work has had a profound impact on both academic research and practical applications. His theories and innovations have guided global regional development, influenced policy formulations, and supported national decision-making processes. Liu’s contributions to rural revitalization, poverty alleviation, and agricultural geography have shaped the way policymakers and researchers approach these critical issues, particularly in the context of sustainable development.

His leadership in the establishment of international organizations, such as the IGU-AGLE and ANSO-APRD, has further expanded the global reach of his work, promoting international collaboration and research excellence in geographic sciences.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Looking ahead,  His legacy will continue to influence the fields of human and economic geography, rural development, and agricultural systems. His pioneering work in geographic engineering and human-earth system science will serve as a foundation for future research and innovation. As a mentor and leader in the academic community, Liu has inspired countless scholars to pursue excellence in geographic sciences, ensuring that his contributions will have a lasting impact for generations to come.

His ongoing research projects, such as the Major Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) on the cooperative observation and transformation mechanism of rural areal systems, highlight his continued commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing global challenges. His work will remain a cornerstone of geographic research, driving forward new theories, methodologies, and applications in human and economic geography.

📊📚Selected Projects and Publications

He has led over 70 research projects sponsored by national and international organizations. Some of his notable projects include: Cooperative Observation, Transformation Mechanism, and Scenario Simulation of Rural Areal System (2023-2027) Evolution Process of Rural Man-Land System and Its Resource and Environment Effects in China (2020-2024) Key Technology Research and Demonstration of Hollowed Village Comprehensive Consolidation (2014-2017)

Citations

Citations        29201

h-index          90

i10-index       273

 

📚Publications“Rural transformation and its links to farmland use transition: Theoretical insights and empirical evidence from Jiangsu, China”

Authors: Beibei Wang, Xinyi Qi

Journal: Habitat International

“Evolution pattern and mechanism of rural areal functions in Xi’an metropolitan area, China”

Authors: Wang, X., Liu, Y., Shao, Y., Li, S.

Journal: Habitat International

“TIC-driven sustainable land use mode in the Loess Plateau: A case study of gully land consolidation project in Yan’an City, China”

Authors: Guo, Y., Liu, Y., Li, R., Li, Y., Wang, J.

Journal: Land Use Policy

“Detection of long-term land use and ecosystem services dynamics in the Loess Hilly-Gully region based on artificial intelligence and multiple models”

Authors: Liu, Y., Huang, X., Liu, Y.

Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production

“Scientific cognition and detection methods of modern human-earth system | 现代人地系统科学认知与探测方法”

Authors: Liu, Y., Liu, Y., Ou, C.

Journal: Kexue Tongbao/Chinese Science Bulletin