A framework for territorial spatial ecological restoration zoning integrating “Carbon neutrality” and “Human-geology-ecology”: Theory and application

•A new TSERZ framework integrates “carbon neutrality” and “human-geology-ecology”.•Human-geology-ecology interaction relationship is the theoretical basis of TSERZ.•Geological factors such as lithology are important factors for TSERZ.•TSERZ should consider the spatial distribution of carbon source/sink.•Empirical results verify the rationality and availability of the TSERZ framework. Global climate change worsens the imbalance among human environment, geological environment and ecological environment (human-geology-ecology), leading to increasingly prominent ecosystem damage. Constructing a scientifically effective territorial spatial ecological restoration zoning (TSERZ) framework will promote the coordination between nature and human. However, the fundamental role of geological environment in TSERZ has been overlooked, and there is lack of theoretical frameworks and empirical research on TSERZ oriented towards carbon neutrality goal. Therefore, we have proposed a new TSERZ framework by integrating “carbon neutrality” and “human-geology-ecology”, which employs models such as CECM, LCA, IUEMS and ESP to divide primary zones, secondary zones and key areas, and also provides restoration directions for various zones. Taking the typical alpine-gorge region of Yulong County as an example, we conduct empirical research to verify the validity of the TSERZ framework. The findings indicate that, firstly, besides human and ecological factors, geological factors like lithology are indispensable factors for TSERZ, and understanding the dynamic balance relationship of human-geology-ecology is the prerequisite and basis for TSERZ. Secondly, the proposed TSERZ framework emphasizes the fundamental role of carbon source/sink and lithology in TSERZ, constructing the three-level zones division method oriented towards carbon neutrality goal with the research line of “natural background conditions—dominant ecological functions—ecological stress problems”. Thirdly, the framework has been successfully applied to TSERZ in Yulong County, dividing it into 8 primary zones, 17 secondary zones, and 7 types key areas. Given its complex geological conditions, fragile ecological environment and increasingly human interference, Yulong County urgently needs to focus on restoring ecological problems such as rocky desertification and geological disasters to improve carbon sink capacity. This study innovatively constructs a cascading path for TSERZ from theoretical cognition to practical appl