Landscape ecological risk analysis of subtropical vulnerable mountainous areas from a spatiotemporal perspective: Insights from the Nanling Mountains of China
Although mountains provide various important ecological services for human beings, the need remains to be stressed for further research on conducting ecological risk analysis in vulnerable mountainous regions characterized by a relatively high population density. In this study, the Nanling Mountains...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23010257 |
| _version_ | 1827816058319273984 |
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| author | Lingyue Huang Lichen Yuan Yongyan Xia Zhenyi Yang Ziling Luo Zheng Yan Meiyun Li Jiangang Yuan |
| author_facet | Lingyue Huang Lichen Yuan Yongyan Xia Zhenyi Yang Ziling Luo Zheng Yan Meiyun Li Jiangang Yuan |
| author_sort | Lingyue Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although mountains provide various important ecological services for human beings, the need remains to be stressed for further research on conducting ecological risk analysis in vulnerable mountainous regions characterized by a relatively high population density. In this study, the Nanling Mountains, which are recognized as a significant mountainous region in southern China, were selected as a case. Using the Globe Land30 dataset and landscape metrics, we calculated landscape ecological risk indices from 2000 to 2020. Our objective was to investigate the distribution and changes in landscape ecological risks within mountainous areas and their associated implication, to support the protection and development of the Nanling Mountains, and to provide a valuable reference case for risk management in other mountainous regions. The results showed that the land cover transformation in Nanling was predominantly driven by the expansion of artificial surfaces and open water, accompanied by a decline in woodland, cultivated land, grassland, wetland, and shrubland areas. The overall landscape metrics exhibited minimal changes, with the majority of modifications observed between 2000 and 2010. During this period, there was a noticeable shift in patch shape from complex to simple, a decrease in landscape continuity, an increase in landscape separation, and an overall increase in landscape heterogeneity. The landscape ecological risk index displayed substantial spatial heterogeneity within the study area. High-risk and medium–high-risk areas were primarily concentrated in the central and eastern regions, surrounded by medium-risk areas. Low-risk and medium–low-risk areas were widely dispersed across the entire study area. Between 2000 and 2020, there was an observed rise in the percentage of low and medium–low-risk areas from 61.74% to 64.05%. This indicates an overall enhancement in the ecological environment of the study area. The transfer of landscape ecological risk primarily involved artificial surfaces and high-altitude grasslands. The correlation analysis between the total regional GDP and LERI showed that there was a smooth inverse “U” linear relationship between them. To conclude, there exists a definite correlation between the landscape ecological risk and human activities, particularly environmental policies. Additionally, the relationship between the landscape ecological risk index and the total regional GDP aligns with the Environmental Kuznets Curve. It is crucial to approach major decisions concerning densely populated and fragile mountainous areas with careful consideration and caution. In promoting land optimization and integration, priority should be given to the area around the artificial surface. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:09:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c3a592e3bee846cbab44352fb969be0c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1470-160X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:09:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecological Indicators |
| spelling | doaj.art-c3a592e3bee846cbab44352fb969be0c2023-09-16T05:30:17ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2023-10-01154110883Landscape ecological risk analysis of subtropical vulnerable mountainous areas from a spatiotemporal perspective: Insights from the Nanling Mountains of ChinaLingyue Huang0Lichen Yuan1Yongyan Xia2Zhenyi Yang3Ziling Luo4Zheng Yan5Meiyun Li6Jiangang Yuan7School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR ChinaColby College, Waterville, ME 04901, USASchool of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR ChinaForest Resources Nurse Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510173, PR ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR ChinaGuangdong Lingnanyuan Exploration and Design Co. Ltd., Guangzhou 510173, PR ChinaGuangzhou Xinhua University, Guangzhou 510520, PR China; School of Business, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China; Corresponding authors at: School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China (J. Yuan), Guangzhou Xinhua University, Guangzhou 510520, PR China and School of Business, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China (M. Li).School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China; Corresponding authors at: School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China (J. Yuan), Guangzhou Xinhua University, Guangzhou 510520, PR China and School of Business, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China (M. Li).Although mountains provide various important ecological services for human beings, the need remains to be stressed for further research on conducting ecological risk analysis in vulnerable mountainous regions characterized by a relatively high population density. In this study, the Nanling Mountains, which are recognized as a significant mountainous region in southern China, were selected as a case. Using the Globe Land30 dataset and landscape metrics, we calculated landscape ecological risk indices from 2000 to 2020. Our objective was to investigate the distribution and changes in landscape ecological risks within mountainous areas and their associated implication, to support the protection and development of the Nanling Mountains, and to provide a valuable reference case for risk management in other mountainous regions. The results showed that the land cover transformation in Nanling was predominantly driven by the expansion of artificial surfaces and open water, accompanied by a decline in woodland, cultivated land, grassland, wetland, and shrubland areas. The overall landscape metrics exhibited minimal changes, with the majority of modifications observed between 2000 and 2010. During this period, there was a noticeable shift in patch shape from complex to simple, a decrease in landscape continuity, an increase in landscape separation, and an overall increase in landscape heterogeneity. The landscape ecological risk index displayed substantial spatial heterogeneity within the study area. High-risk and medium–high-risk areas were primarily concentrated in the central and eastern regions, surrounded by medium-risk areas. Low-risk and medium–low-risk areas were widely dispersed across the entire study area. Between 2000 and 2020, there was an observed rise in the percentage of low and medium–low-risk areas from 61.74% to 64.05%. This indicates an overall enhancement in the ecological environment of the study area. The transfer of landscape ecological risk primarily involved artificial surfaces and high-altitude grasslands. The correlation analysis between the total regional GDP and LERI showed that there was a smooth inverse “U” linear relationship between them. To conclude, there exists a definite correlation between the landscape ecological risk and human activities, particularly environmental policies. Additionally, the relationship between the landscape ecological risk index and the total regional GDP aligns with the Environmental Kuznets Curve. It is crucial to approach major decisions concerning densely populated and fragile mountainous areas with careful consideration and caution. In promoting land optimization and integration, priority should be given to the area around the artificial surface.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23010257Landscape ecological riskLand use/land coverLandscape metricsMountainous areas |
| spellingShingle | Lingyue Huang Lichen Yuan Yongyan Xia Zhenyi Yang Ziling Luo Zheng Yan Meiyun Li Jiangang Yuan Landscape ecological risk analysis of subtropical vulnerable mountainous areas from a spatiotemporal perspective: Insights from the Nanling Mountains of China Ecological Indicators Landscape ecological risk Land use/land cover Landscape metrics Mountainous areas |
| title | Landscape ecological risk analysis of subtropical vulnerable mountainous areas from a spatiotemporal perspective: Insights from the Nanling Mountains of China |
| title_full | Landscape ecological risk analysis of subtropical vulnerable mountainous areas from a spatiotemporal perspective: Insights from the Nanling Mountains of China |
| title_fullStr | Landscape ecological risk analysis of subtropical vulnerable mountainous areas from a spatiotemporal perspective: Insights from the Nanling Mountains of China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Landscape ecological risk analysis of subtropical vulnerable mountainous areas from a spatiotemporal perspective: Insights from the Nanling Mountains of China |
| title_short | Landscape ecological risk analysis of subtropical vulnerable mountainous areas from a spatiotemporal perspective: Insights from the Nanling Mountains of China |
| title_sort | landscape ecological risk analysis of subtropical vulnerable mountainous areas from a spatiotemporal perspective insights from the nanling mountains of china |
| topic | Landscape ecological risk Land use/land cover Landscape metrics Mountainous areas |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23010257 |
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