Multi-dimensional landscape ecological risk assessment and its drivers in coastal areas

Landscape structure evolution and ecological risk evaluation of oasis desert cities: A case study of Tiemenguan city

The rapid development of oasis desert cities adversely affects fragile ecosystems, preventing regional sustainable development. This study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and potential quantitative relationship between oasis landscape structure (OLS) and the ecological risk index (ERI) and the trend in different development scenarios in Tiemenguan City, a typical oasis city in an arid zone in northwestern China, from 1990 to 2020. We calculated the ERI thresholds for different landscape types, classified ecological risk levels, and examined the factors influencing ecological risk. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) thresholds were NDVI ≥ 30% for oases, 10% Collapse

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MESH Headings

• China
• Cities
• Ecosystem
• Desert Climate
• Conservation of Natural Resources
• Risk Assessment

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Grants

• Divisional and Municipal Science and Technology Tackling Program Projects

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Affiliation(s)

Mingyue Sun College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China
Hongguang Liu College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China
Yingsheng Dang College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China
Ping Gong College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China
Pengfei Li College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China
Rui Fang Hydrology and Water Resources Management Center of the Second Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Tiemenguan, Xinjiang Province, China
Huan Cao Hydrology and Water Resources Management Center of the Second Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Tiemenguan, Xinjiang Province, China
Xiang Li Hydrology and Water Resources Management Center of the Second Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Tiemenguan, Xinjiang Province, China
Hanji Xia College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China
Fuhai Ye College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China
Yong Guo College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China

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Study on the spatial and temporal evolution of ecosystem service value based on land use change in Xi'an City

Ecosystem service value (ESV) is essential for understanding regional ecological benefits and resources. This study utilizes the fourth phase of land use data from the Resource and Environment Science Data Centre of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. We corrected the ESV coefficient using the equivalent factor method for value per unit area and integrated the biomass factor of farmland ecosystems in Shaanxi Province. This allowed us to adjust the equivalent factor for China's terrestrial ecosystem on a geographic scale. Based on these corrections, we analyzed changes in land use and the evolution of ecosystem service value over the past two decades in Xi'an, China. Our findings indicate that the proportions of cultivated and forest land in Xi'an remained stable from 2000 to 2020, despite an increase in construction land and a decrease in cultivated areas. Forest and unused lands remained stable, while grassland and water bodies fluctuated. The ESV related to land use in Xi'an increased by 938.8 million yuan during this period, with high-value areas primarily located in the forested regions south of the Qinling Mountains and along the Weihe, Bahe, and Chanhe Rivers. Low-value zones were concentrated in the urban core. This research enhances methodologies for quantifying urban ESV, providing vital support for land resource management, ecological conservation, and high-quality urban development in major cities in China. These findings will inform policy-making for sustainable urban growth.

A framework of ecological security patterns in arid and semi-arid regions considering differences socioeconomic scenarios in ecological risk: Case of Loess Plateau, China

Understanding the establishment of ecological security patterns in arid and semi-arid regions is critical for global ecological risk prevention, control, and sustainable development. Nonetheless, there remains a relative deficiency in ecological risk assessment and construction of Ecological Security Patterns (ESP) in these areas, along with insufficient verification regarding the changes in ecological security patterns under diverse scenarios. This study employs Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) to identify ecological sources and utilizes circuit theory alongside Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) to delineate ecological corridors. Additionally, the framework integrates the impacts of human activities on ecosystems and accounts for the disparities and uncertainties associated with future scenarios in constructing ESP. Results indicate discrepancies between the least risky pathway (SSP5-8.5) and the most stable pathway (SSP1-2.6) on the Loess Plateau, with varying manifestations of ecological risk. This study identified 28 large-scale ecological sources covering 65,642.745 km2, including 10 core sources exceeding 2000 km2; delineated 65 ecological corridors totaling 6695.061 km, encompassing 19 core corridors spanning 4091.452 km. The spatial overlap between ecological corridors and high-risk areas presents challenges to constructing ecological security patterns. In consideration of future uncertainties, we propose an ecological pattern optimization strategy incorporating "three barriers, five corridors, three protections, two zones, two belts, and multiple scattered points". This strategy emphasizes the potential of combining primary planting corridors, returning farmland to forests, and planning ecological buffer zones to address ecological risks. The study aims to enhance ecological security levels and readiness to confront ecological challenges in arid and semi-arid regions.

Landscape transition-induced ecological risk modeling using GIS and remote sensing techniques: a case of Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh

Uncontrolled human activity and nature are causing the deterioration of Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh's only tropical island, necessitating sustainable land use strategies and ecological practices. Therefore, the present study measures the land use/cover transition from 1974 to 2021, predicts 2032 and 2042, and constructs the spatiotemporal features of the Landscape Ecological Risk Index based on land use changes. The study utilized Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) on Landsat images from 1974, 1988, 2001, 2013, and Sentinel 2B in 2021, achieving ≥ 80% accuracy. The MLP-MC approach was also used to predict 2032 and 2042 LULC change patterns. The eco-risk index was developed using landscape disturbance and vulnerability indices, Bayesian Kriging interpolation, and spatial autocorrelations to indicate spatial clustering. The research found that settlements increased from 2.06 to 28.62 ha between 1974 and 2021 and would cover 41.22 ha in 2042, causing considerable losses in agricultural areas, waterbodies, sand, coral reefs, and vegetation. The area under study showed a more uniform and homogenous environment as Shannon's diversity and evenness scores decreased. The ecological risk of Saint Martin Island increased from 4.31 to 31.05 ha between 1974 and 2042 due to natural and human factors like erosion, tidal bores, population growth, coral mining, habitat destruction, and intensive agricultural practices and tourism, primarily in Nazrul Para, Galachipa, and Western Dakhin Para. The findings will benefit St. Martin Island stakeholders and policymakers by providing insights into current and potential landscape changes and land eco-management.

Spatio-temporal assessment of landscape ecological risk using spatial statistical analysis in a basin of Turkiye

Monitoring the land use/land cover (LU/LC) changes that have occurred with rapid population growth and urbanization since the Industrial Revolution is important for the optimal configuration of landscape patterns and ensuring the sustainability of ecological functions. Spatiotemporal dynamic pattern of LU/LC change using high-resolution land use data is an indicator to evaluate the landscape ecological risk through landscape pattern index analysis. In this study, the landscape ecological risk index (LERi) based on LU/LC change was calculated using remote sensing images of Landsat TM (Thematic Mapper) and OLI (Operational Land Imager) Rdata of a Gediz Mainstream Sub-basin in Turkiye between 1992 and 2022, and the spatial distribution regularity of LERi values was determined with spatial statistical analysis. According to the results, it was determined that the LERi values of the study area changed by 45% in 30 years. The highest change is in the very high-risk class, with an increase of 10.96%, and the least change occurred in the very low-risk class, with a decrease of 1.29%. According to the obtained statistical analysis results, it was determined that the global spatial autocorrelation values analyzed at different grain levels showed positive autocorrelation for both years and that the LERi values tended to have strong spatial clustering. As a result, it is emphasized that strict control measures should be taken for areas showing High-High (HH) autocorrelation type located in the southeast and north-southwest line of the study area at the local level, and ecological restoration applications should be given priority in these areas.

Identification of ecological security patterns of alpine wetland grasslands based on landscape ecological risks: A study in Zoigê County

Climate change and human activities have increased ecological risks and degraded ecosystem functions in alpine wetland grassland regions, where ecological security remains largely unexplored. The construction of ecological security patterns (ESP) can help to synchronize regional ecological security and sustainable development and provide ideas to address these challenges. This article determines the current ESP of Zoigê County, China, by analyzing the spatial and temporal characteristics of landscape ecological risk (LER) and generating an ecological network by combining the InVEST model, the landscape connectivity index, and the circuit theory model. Management zoning and targeted conservation recommendations are proposed. The results indicate that the region has significant spatial heterogeneity in IER. Ecological risk exposure is increasing, with high values mainly concentrated in the central part of the region. Meanwhile, ecological protection areas were identified, which included 2578.44 km2 of ecological sources, 71 key ecological corridors, 25 potential ecological corridors, 4 river ecological corridors, 66 pinch points, and 58 barriers. This study provides a valuable reference for the ecological development of Zoigê County, as well as insights into the formation of ESP in other alpine wetland grassland regions.