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Scientific reports2025; 15(1); 14729; doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-99073-x

Measurement of eco-efficiency in the horse industry, spatiotemporal evolution and convergence analysis.

Abstract: The horse industry constitutes a vital economic sector in Xinjiang, China. This study quantitatively assesses the sector's sustainable development through eco-efficiency analysis across northern Xinjiang counties from 2001 to 2021. The research employs four analytical methods: the S-SBM model for efficiency measurement, kernel density estimation for distribution analysis, Moran's index for spatial autocorrelation examination, and convergence tests for long-term trend assessment. Results demonstrate a consistent decline in eco-efficiency, decreasing from 0.821 in 2001 to 0.444 in 2021, with an average value of 0.557. Significant regional disparities emerge, with efficiency scores ranging from 0.499 to 1.285 across different prefectures. Spatial analysis reveals pronounced clustering effects, particularly in Yili Prefecture. Convergence tests indicate the presence of β-convergence but the absence of σ-convergence, suggesting narrowing efficiency gaps over time despite persistent regional inequalities. These empirical findings provide substantive evidence for policymakers seeking to enhance Xinjiang's equine economy sustainability and resource efficiency. The study contributes to the limited literature on ecological efficiency measurement in animal husbandry sectors.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-04-27 PubMed ID: 40289154PubMed Central: PMC12034764DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-99073-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper is a quantified study of the sustainability of the horse industry in Xinjiang, China. The investigation is based on an eco-efficiency analysis over two decades (2001-2021), using diverse analytical methods to explore the developmental trend, regional differences, and patterns.

Methodology

  • The paper employs four primary ways to examine eco-efficiency in the horse industry in Xinjiang. These are the S-SBM model, kernel density estimation, Moran’s index for spatial autocorrelation examination, and convergence tests.
  • The S-SBM model is a non-parametric model that measures efficiency, particularly in situations with multiple outputs and inputs. It was used here to measure the efficiency of the horse industry.
  • Kernel density estimation is a non-parametric technique used for estimating the probability density function of a random variable. The research utilizes this method to analyze the distribution of eco-efficiency.
  • Moran’s index is a measure of spatial autocorrelation – how much one location’s data is similar to nearby locations. This helps to reveal geographical patterns in the distribution of eco-efficiency.
  • Convergence tests assess the long-term trends in eco-efficiency, specifically whether disparities between areas are reducing (β-convergence) or fluctuating (σ-convergence).

Key Findings

  • The research demonstrates a steady decline in eco-efficiency over 20 years from 0.821 in 2001 to 0.444 in 2021, with an average value of 0.557 over the studied period.
  • There are significant regional disparities in eco-efficiency in the horse industry. Individual prefecture’s efficiency scores ranged from a low of 0.499 to a high of 1.285, indicating considerable variations in performance and resource efficiency.
  • Spatial analysis highlights pronounced clustering effects, particularly in Yili Prefecture, suggesting regional similarities in eco-efficiency metrics.
  • Convergence tests ascertain the presence of β-convergence and an absence of σ-convergence. This indicates a gradual reduction in efficiency gaps over time (β-convergence), but continued regional inequalities (lack of σ-convergence).

Conclusion and Applications

  • The findings provide important empirical evidence to aid policymakers in improving the sustainability and resource efficiency of Xinjiang’s horse industry – and by extension, more broadly in China’s animal husbandry sectors.
  • This research also adds to the currently scarce literature on ecological efficiency measurement in livestock sectors.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhang X, Abdusuli N. (2025). Measurement of eco-efficiency in the horse industry, spatiotemporal evolution and convergence analysis. Sci Rep, 15(1), 14729. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99073-x

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 14729
PII: 14729

Researcher Affiliations

Zhang, Xinyi
  • College of Economics and Management, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830000, China.
Abdusuli, Nurgul
  • College of Economics and Management, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830000, China. 453244794@qq.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • China
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis
  • Animal Husbandry / economics
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Sustainable Development

Grant Funding

  • 2022A0213-4 / YaoJuan
  • 2022A0213-4 / YaoJuan
  • 22BMZ123 / Nurgulu00b7Abdusuli
  • 22BMZ123 / Nurgulu00b7Abdusuli

Conflict of Interest Statement

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

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