Social-ecological network analysis of national park attractiveness: a case study of Baishanzu Mountain, China

National parks play a critical role in halting habitat loss globally, yet current management often overlooks neighboring areas and the livelihoods of indigenous communities. Balancing biodiversity conservation with human well-being remains a significant challenge in developing nations due to policy constraints, limited funding, and governance issues. This study focuses on Baishanzu National Park in China and develops a social-ecological network (SEN) that integrates both ecological and human impact. The study assesses the relationship between ecological resources and social needs to identify key nodes with high development potential, proposing strategies to enhance the park’s attractiveness to surrounding areas. The findings reveal that (1) the study area reflects low resistance to ecological species movement, while high resistance to the movement of social flows. (2) The SEN includes 10 ecological nodes, 3 social nodes, 716.17 km of ecological corridors, and 1338.30 km of social corridors. Compared to social connectivity, ecological connectivity is stronger, with more extensive sources and corridors, reflecting limited integration between ecological and social systems. (3) The study identified three key ecological nodes, where ecological supply aligns strongly with social demand, located at the park’s eastern main entrance, southeastern sub-entrance, and northern sub-entrance. (4) Based on the unique advantages of these nodes, the study recommends improving public infrastructure, transport, and tourism facilities to better integrate with neighboring communities and enhance the park’s appeal. This research provides a framework for integrating ecological and social networks in national park management, offering practical insights for other developing countries seeking to balance ecological conservation with social development.