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Fuzzy-Based Ecological Vulnerability Assessment Driven by Human Impacts in China

Author

Listed:
  • Cheng Han

    (College of Economics and Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
    Center for Digital Trade and Regional Development, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China)

  • Yang Zhang

    (College of Economics and Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
    Center for Digital Trade and Regional Development, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China)

  • Jing Shen

    (College of Economics and Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China)

Abstract

Human activities have a significant impact on global ecosystems. Assessing and quantifying ecological vulnerability is a fundamental challenge in the study of the ecosystem’s capacity to respond to anthropogenic disturbances. However, little research has been conducted on EVA’s existing fuzzy uncertainties. In this paper, an ecological vulnerability assessment (EVA) framework that integrated the Exposure-Sensitivity-Adaptive Capacity (ESC) framework, fuzzy method, and multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), and took into account human impacts, was developed to address the uncertainties in the assessment process. For the first time, we conducted a provincial-scale case study in China to illustrate our proposed methodology. Our findings imply that China’s ecological vulnerability is spatially heterogeneous due to regional differences in exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indices. The results of our ecological vulnerability assessment and cause analysis can provide guidance for further decision-making and facilitate the protection of ecological quality over the medium to long term. The developed EVA framework can also be duplicated at multiple spatial and temporal dimensions utilizing context-specific datasets to assist environmental managers in making informed decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng Han & Yang Zhang & Jing Shen, 2022. "Fuzzy-Based Ecological Vulnerability Assessment Driven by Human Impacts in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:15:p:9166-:d:872251
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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