A Study on the Impact of the Digital Economy on Ecological and Environmental Resilience in the Yellow River Basin

Abstract

As China transitions into the era of the digital economy, this transformation is fostering novel business models and catalyzing fresh development momentum—thereby presenting critical opportunities and a robust technological foundation for enhancing urban ecological resilience. Accordingly, we construct a comprehensive indicator system integrating dimensions of the digital economy and ecological–environmental resilience. Utilizing panel data from 94 cities in the Yellow River Basin spanning 2011–2022, we empirically examine the impact of the digital economy on ecological–environmental resilience and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Our findings reveal:1) Digital economy development significantly enhances ecological–environmental resilience—a result that remains robust under rigorous sensitivity analyses and endogeneity checks; 2) The geographical elements, the geographical climatic conditions play a regulatory role. Specifically, inverse temperature and altitude have a positive regulatory effect on promoting the ecological resilience of the digital economy; 3) Geographic characteristics—particularly spatial location—induce heterogeneity in impacts. Specifically, the positive effect of the digital economy on ecological–environmental resilience is more pronounced in economically advanced regions, resource-dependent areas, and cities located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River Basin; 4) Socioeconomic factors serve as key mediating pathways through which geographic context shapes outcomes. The digital economy promotes economic growth, accelerates technological innovation, and unlocks human capital potential—collectively strengthening ecological–environmental resilience. Based on this finding, we recommend enhanced policy support for the digital economy. Region-specific environmental policies—tailored to the natural geographical characteristics of each area—should be implemented, and the digital economy’s catalytic role in advancing socioeconomic development should be fully harnessed.