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Evolution of Ecological Security in the Tableland Region of the Chinese Loess Plateau Using a Remote-Sensing-Based Index

Author

Listed:
  • Congjian Sun

    (School of Geographical Science, Shanxi Normal University,1 Gongyuan Street, Linfen 041000, Shanxi, China)

  • Xiaoming Li

    (School of Geographical Science, Shanxi Normal University,1 Gongyuan Street, Linfen 041000, Shanxi, China)

  • Wenqiang Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, China)

  • Xingong Li

    (School of Geographical Science, Shanxi Normal University,1 Gongyuan Street, Linfen 041000, Shanxi, China
    Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science, University of Kansas, 1475 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 409, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA)

Abstract

Maintaining optimal ecological security is a serious issue in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). Remote sensing ecological indexes (RSEI) of three main tableland regions of the CLP were calculated based on spectral information provided by remote sensing imaging satellites between 2000 and 2018. We were able to use RSEI values to systematically evaluate the temporal and spatial variation in the regional ecological environment and determine the influential factors that mainly associated with these changes. The results showed that between 2000 and 2018, the ecological environment improved, remained stable, and deteriorated, respectively, in the Gansu, Shaanxi, and Shanxi tablelands. Regions with poor or fair RSEIs were concentrated around the main river basins, while regions with moderate RSEIs were associated with poor ecological conditions and poor areas. The significant spatiotemporal variation in RSEI indicates that the ecological system in this region is relatively fragile. We also observed that natural factors such as the temperature, potential evapotranspiration, and precipitation had the greatest influence on the overall ecological quality. The rapid increase in the regional population and human activity played an important role in the variation in the regional RSEI. This research will provide important information on controlling regional soil erosion and ecological restoration in the CLP.

Suggested Citation

  • Congjian Sun & Xiaoming Li & Wenqiang Zhang & Xingong Li, 2020. "Evolution of Ecological Security in the Tableland Region of the Chinese Loess Plateau Using a Remote-Sensing-Based Index," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3489-:d:350110
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Congjian Sun & Zhenjing Zheng & Wei Chen & Yuyang Wang, 2020. "Spatial and Temporal Variations of Potential Evapotranspiration in the Loess Plateau of China During 1960–2017," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Zhibin Huang & Min Xu & Wei Chen & Xiaojuan Lin & Chunxiang Cao & Ramesh P. Singh, 2018. "Postseismic Restoration of the Ecological Environment in the Wenchuan Region Using Satellite Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-16, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fuyu Yang & Jingjing Xu & Xin Zhao & Xuekai Wang & Yi Xiong, 2022. "Assessment of the Grassland Ecological Compensation Policy (GECP) in Qinghai, China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Yuxia Zhao & Yang Wang & Zifan Zhang & Yi Zhou & Haoqing Huang & Ming Chang, 2023. "The Evolution of Landscape Patterns and Its Ecological Effects of Open-Pit Mining: A Case Study in the Heidaigou Mining Area, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-26, March.
    3. Binhua Zhao & Jianchun Han & Peng Li & Hongtao Li & Yangfan Feng & Bingze Hu & Guojun Zhang & Jie Li, 2023. "Evidence for Urbanization Effects on Eco-Environmental Quality: A Case Study of Guyuan City, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Zeke Lian & Huichao Hao & Jing Zhao & Kaizhong Cao & Hesong Wang & Zhechen He, 2022. "Evaluation of Remote Sensing Ecological Index Based on Soil and Water Conservation on the Effectiveness of Management of Abandoned Mine Landscaping Transformation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Xun Zhang & Zhaoliang Gao & Yonghong Li & Guanfan Sun & Yunfeng Cen & Yongcai Lou & Yihang Yao & Wenbo Liu, 2023. "Eco-Environment Quality Response to Climate Change and Human Activities on the Loess Plateau, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-23, September.
    6. Xu Bi & Bianrong Chang & Fen Hou & Zihan Yang & Qi Fu & Bo Li, 2021. "Assessment of Spatio-Temporal Variation and Driving Mechanism of Ecological Environment Quality in the Arid Regions of Central Asia, Xinjiang," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-23, July.
    7. Meng Luo & Shengwei Zhang & Lei Huang & Zhiqiang Liu & Lin Yang & Ruishen Li & Xi Lin, 2022. "Temporal and Spatial Changes of Ecological Environment Quality Based on RSEI: A Case Study in Ulan Mulun River Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-19, October.
    8. Xueman Zuo & Jiazheng Li & Ludan Zhang & Zhilong Wu & Sen Lin & Xisheng Hu, 2023. "Spatio-Temporal Variations in Ecological Quality and Its Response to Topography and Road Network Based on GEE: Taking the Minjiang River Basin as a Case," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-25, September.
    9. Kaizheng Xiang & Anzhou Zhao & Haixin Liu & Xiangrui Zhang & Anbing Zhang & Xinle Tian & Zihan Jin, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Evolution and Coupling Pattern Analysis of Urbanization and Ecological Environmental Quality of the Chinese Loess Plateau," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, June.
    10. Ruihao Cui & Jiazheng Han & Zhenqi Hu, 2022. "Assessment of Spatial Temporal Changes of Ecological Environment Quality: A Case Study in Huaibei City, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-19, June.
    11. Xiaoxia Su & Jing Wu & Pengshuo Li & Renjie Li & Penggen Cheng, 2022. "RSEI-Based Modeling of Ecological Security and Its Spatial Impacts on Soil Quality: A Case Study of Dayu, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    12. Shangxiao Wang & Ming Zhang & Xi Xi, 2022. "Ecological Environment Evaluation Based on Remote Sensing Ecological Index: A Case Study in East China over the Past 20 Years," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-15, November.
    13. Qiang Liu & Feihong Yu & Xingmin Mu, 2022. "Evaluation of the Ecological Environment Quality of the Kuye River Source Basin Using the Remote Sensing Ecological Index," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-21, September.

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