SUSTAINABLE GOVERNANCE OF CULTURAL LANDSCAPES: EVOLUTION AND POLICY TRENDS OF LANDSCAPE GENE CONSERVATION IN CHINA (2003–2025)

Objective: From the perspective of sustainable governance, this study explores the evolutionary trajectory of "landscape gene" research in China to understand how policy frameworks and legal instruments shape the preservation of traditional settlements.Methods: Utilizing bibliometric tool CiteSpace , a quantitative analysis was conducted on literature from the CNKI database (2003–2025), focusing on the intersection of heritage conservation, environmental law, and digital governance.Results: The research reveals that landscape gene studies in China have evolved through three logical dimensions: theoretical ontology construction, multi-scale empirical verification, and methodological innovation driven by strategic policy responses. Since 2017, the field has entered a phase of intensive growth, shifting from qualitative descriptions to digital and intelligent integration.Conclusion: The evolution of landscape gene research is deeply intertwined with China’s national strategies, such as "Rural Revitalization" and the "Protection of Traditional Villages," reflecting a transition from spontaneous academic interest to a policy-led governance model. To enhance the sustainable development of cultural landscapes, future research must further integrate legal-spatial frameworks with digital technology, ensuring that heritage conservation is supported by robust institutional mechanisms and internationalized theoretical standards.