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Identification of Priority Conservation Areas for Protected Rivers Based on Ecosystem Integrity and Authenticity: A Case Study of the Qingzhu River, Southwest China

Author

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  • Peng Li

    (School of Business and Tourism Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
    National Park Administration of China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Planning and Research Center of National Park, Kunming 650216, China
    United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Server, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, Missoula, MT 59801, USA)

  • Yuxiao Zhang

    (National Park Administration of China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Planning and Research Center of National Park, Kunming 650216, China
    School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China)

  • Weikun Lu

    (Yunnan Meteorological Service, Kunming 650034, China)

  • Min Zhao

    (National Park Administration of China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Planning and Research Center of National Park, Kunming 650216, China
    School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China)

  • Meng Zhu

    (National Park Administration of China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Planning and Research Center of National Park, Kunming 650216, China
    School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China)

Abstract

The establishment of protected areas for a river (PARs) is an efficient approach for the conservation of its ecosystem and biodiversity. This study selected the free-flowing Qingzhu River, located in the mountains of southwest China and one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots, as a case study. This study applied the ecosystem approach to develop a model for identifying priority conservation areas for a river (PCARs) based on integrity and authenticity. Three model elements were selected, namely streams, forest and human activity, characterized by three indicators: irreplaceability, tree cover and human activity, respectively. The spatial distributions of these indicators were overlaid according to different weights to generate a map (S CPV ) of comprehensive protected value (CPV), which was used to indicate ecosystem integrity and authenticity in the study catchment. Lastly, PCARs were identified by comparing existing protected areas with the calculated S CPV . The application of the model to the Qingzhu River indicated the area of PCARs to be ~71.88 km 2 , accounting for 15.13% of the total PAR area. Priority reaches for protection were then identified, with many falling within the mainstem of the river in the middle and lower reaches. The total length of priority protected reaches was ~75.97 km, accounting for 49.33% of the total length of the river mainstem within Qingchuan County. This study validated the model at both the theoretical and practical level, confirming that the model is useful for facilitating the precise protection and smart management of rivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Peng Li & Yuxiao Zhang & Weikun Lu & Min Zhao & Meng Zhu, 2020. "Identification of Priority Conservation Areas for Protected Rivers Based on Ecosystem Integrity and Authenticity: A Case Study of the Qingzhu River, Southwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2020:i:1:p:323-:d:473310
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Min Zhao & Chenyang Li & Denielle M. Perry & Yuxiao Zhang & Yuwen He & Peng Li, 2022. "Connectivity Index-Based Identification of Priority Area of River Protected Areas in Sichuan Province, Southwest China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Wadim Strielkowski & Lubomír Civín & Elena Tarkhanova & Manuela Tvaronavičienė & Yelena Petrenko, 2021. "Renewable Energy in the Sustainable Development of Electrical Power Sector: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Denielle Perry & Ian Harrison & Stephannie Fernandes & Sarah Burnham & Alana Nichols, 2021. "Global Analysis of Durable Policies for Free-Flowing River Protections," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, February.

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