THE SPATIAL ASSOCIATION NETWORK FUNCTION AND INFLUENCING FACTORS IN BOOSTING FOREST CARBON SINK EFFICIENCY：EVIDENCE FROM CHINA

Spatial association network is quite important for boost Forest Carbon Sink Efficiency (FCSE). In facing carbon peak and carbon neutrality target forest carbon sink plays a very important role. By measuring FCSE of Chinese provinces using the Super-SBM-DEA model and Social Network Analysis (SNA), the network characteristics and clustering characteristics were analysized. By combining the QAP model and the panel data regression model, the driving mechanism of the FCSE spatial association network and the contribution of the network to FCSE are revealed. The results have showed that the spatial correlation of FCSE in China has break through the limitation of geographical distance and have showed a prominent complex network characteristics and apparent core-periphery structure. Besides, the spatial clustering characteristics of FCSE in China is obvious, and the interaction relationships of elements mostly occur between different plates. In addition, geographic proximity and differences in water resources are the important natural factors which influencing the formation of the FCSE spatial association network. And the differences in economic level, forestry scale, and technology level are important socio-economic factors influencing the formation of the FCSE spatial association network. Thus, the increase of degree centrality, closeness centrality, and betweenness centrality are all contribute to FCSE significantly. Our study is a valuable attempt to apply SNA to FCSE research, which tells the importance of resource connections and spatial association network relations and this can refer to valuable suggestions for the government to develop appropriate carbon neutrality strategies at the carbon sink side.